Looking to make your yard look amazing without spending every weekend working on it? Ground covers are your new best friend!
I used to struggle with ugly bare spots and endless weeding until I discovered these plants. Now my garden looks beautiful year-round, and I barely have to do anything!
1. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum has become my absolute favorite for adding instant charm to garden borders. Its honey-scented flowers fill the air with the most delightful fragrance.
I love how quickly it grows from seeds, making it perfect for budget-conscious gardening projects. The spilling blooms create such a graceful effect in my container gardens.
Just keep an eye on it though – I learned the hard way that it can get a bit too enthusiastic in some areas!
2. Chamomile
I discovered chamomile when looking for a low-maintenance ground cover for my garden path. Its delicate white petals with bright yellow centers create the most charming display.
The best part? It’s basically care-free – no deadheading or fertilizing needed. Just give it moderate water and full sun.
I love using the blooms for both tea and natural beauty products. It’s truly a multi-purpose plant!
3. Dianthus
I planted Dianthus along my garden walkway last spring, and I’m in love with its year-round appeal. The blue-green grass-like foliage forms these adorable mounds that look gorgeous all season.
From May through August, my garden lights up with its small pink, purple, and red ruffled flowers. In my frost-free area, I even get bonus blooms during winter!
One important note for fellow pet parents – keep this one away from your furry friends, as it’s toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
4. Basket of Gold
The name says it all! My rock garden absolutely comes alive in April and May when this beauty bursts into bloom with clusters of bright yellow flowers.
I’ve tucked it between paving stones and along my gravel path edges, where it thrives. The gray-green foliage creates a beautiful mat even after blooming.
The butterflies and bees love it just as much as I do – it’s like having a natural wildlife sanctuary!
5. Armeria (Sea Thrift)
After struggling with a drought-prone area in my garden, Armeria came to the rescue. Its tufted grass-like foliage and globe-shaped flowers in pink, white, and red are simply charming.
I planted it in my sunniest spot with well-drained soil, and it’s been thriving ever since. It’s become a stunning focal point in my rock garden.
This tough little plant handles coastal conditions like a champ – perfect for those challenging spots where other plants struggle.
6. Creeping Phlox
Talk about a spring superstar! My hillside used to be a boring slope until I discovered creeping phlox. Now it’s a cascading carpet of vibrant flowers that stops traffic.
Maintenance couldn’t be easier – I just give it water during dry spells and a quick trim after blooming. Any unwanted growth pulls out easily.
The way it spills over my retaining wall creates the most spectacular spring display.
7. Angelina Sedum
This golden beauty has earned the nickname “Goldilocks” in my garden because it’s just right! Its succulent foliage spreads beautifully without becoming invasive.
I love how easy it is to propagate – whenever stems fall off, they root themselves naturally. It’s like getting free plants!
A simple occasional trim keeps it looking neat and tidy.
8. Creeping Thyme
My stepping stone path was transformed when I planted creeping thyme between the stones. Growing just 3 inches tall, it creates this magical carpet effect.
The deep pink flowers bloom from June through July, filling the air with a wonderful fragrance. While it’s not for cooking, the bees absolutely adore it!
It’s become my go-to for natural weed suppression – who knew something so beautiful could be so practical?
9. Lamb’s Ear
The kids in my neighborhood can’t resist touching this incredibly soft, silvery foliage – it’s like nature’s velvet! The fruity smell is an unexpected bonus.
From spring to fall, it produces lovely flowers in pink, purple, red, and white. It’s amazingly resilient in cold weather too.
My top tip: avoid overwatering – I only water when the soil feels dry to prevent rot.
10. Creeping Juniper
This has been my problem-slope savior! When grass refused to grow on my tricky hillside, creeping juniper came to the rescue. It spreads up to 8 feet while staying only 18 inches tall.
Here’s my installation trick: I removed the grass in stages, laid down landscape fabric, and planted through holes. A layer of mulch finished it off perfectly.
Now my once-troublesome slope is a maintenance-free zone of evergreen beauty.
11. Amethyst in Snow
I stumbled upon this versatile beauty when looking for something unique. While it’s often sold as an upright plant, it makes a stunning ground cover in sunny spots.
The vibrant blooms create the most beautiful carpet effect in my garden. The best part? If it spreads too enthusiastically, pulling out stray shoots is a breeze.
12. Mondo Grass (Lily Turf)
Looking for that lush lawn look without the hassle? Mondo grass has been my secret weapon. Its dense blankets of deep green foliage stay vibrant all year.
Growing just 6-8 inches tall, it’s perfect for those tricky spots. The surprise sapphire blueberries in fall are an extra treat!
I only need to mow it once in late winter to clear away any damage – talk about low maintenance!
13. Hosta
My shady garden corner was so dull until I discovered hostas. Their heart-shaped leaves in blues, greens, and creamy variegated patterns bring such life to dark spots.
They’re incredibly adaptable to various soil types, and the white or purple flower spikes attract beautiful pollinators.
Just a heads up – deer love these as much as I do, so you might need some protection if you have frequent forest visitors!
14. Sweet Woodruff
This fragrant herb has transformed the dry, shaded area under my pine trees. Growing 12 inches tall with an 18-inch spread, it creates the perfect woodland carpet.
I’ve found it thrives in dry shade and actually loves the acidic soil beneath pine trees. The charming white blossoms in spring are a lovely bonus.
I dry the aromatic foliage for wreaths and potpourri – it’s like having a DIY craft supply growing right in my garden!
15. Lenton Rose
Want winter blooms? Lenton Rose has been my go-to for adding color when everything else is dormant. As part of the Buttercup family, it produces the most beautiful ground-level flowers.
I plant it in early fall or late spring in a spot sheltered from harsh winds. After winter, I simply remove any tattered leaves.
This beauty can thrive for decades – just remember to keep pets away as it’s toxic to animals.
16. Snow in Summer
My garden sparkles like a winter wonderland in spring thanks to Snow in Summer. The silvery evergreen foliage is gorgeous year-round, but the billowing white flowers steal the show.
I’ve used it to accent my stone walls and patio edges, where it thrives despite drought conditions. It’s incredibly versatile – handling just about any soil I throw at it.
17. Ice Plant
Talk about a show-stopper! My rock garden dazzles with these daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and red. The fleshy, ice-like leaves add such unique texture.
I planted it in my sunniest spot with well-drained soil, and it’s been thriving with minimal water. It’s perfect for those challenging sandy areas where other plants struggle.
18. Lily of the Valley
The sweet fragrance of these white bell-shaped flowers makes working in my shade garden pure joy. The tall green foliage creates such an elegant backdrop.
I’ve found it does best in partial shade, though it doesn’t mind a bit of morning sun. Just remember to keep the soil consistently moist – this beauty gets cranky if it dries out!
Regular pruning keeps it from wandering too far from its designated space.
19. Maiden Hair Fern
This elegant fern has transformed my challenging spots between rocks. Its feathery, fan-shaped foliage brings such graceful movement to the garden.
Growing 1-3 feet tall and spreading about 2 feet, it’s surprisingly cold-hardy. I maintain consistently moist soil and bright indirect light.
The slow growth rate means I don’t have to worry about it taking over, yet it provides reliable beauty year after year.
20. Asian Star Jasmine
Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t true jasmine, but I love it just the same! The creamy flowers in late spring create such a lovely display.
It’s become my go-to for large areas, spreading up to 12 feet while staying just a foot tall. I keep an eye on it near structures though, as it can climb if given the chance.
Regular edging keeps it in bounds, and I love that deer leave it alone!
21. Blue Sage
The lemon scent of my Blue Sage brings such a refreshing touch to the garden. I’ve planted both Junior Walker and Persian Blue varieties, which stay nicely compact at 14 inches.
Every day brings new joy as hummingbirds and butterflies visit these tiny flowers. The clumping growth habit makes it perfect for edging my garden beds.
I especially love how it handles drought like a champion – perfect for my low-water garden sections!
22. Plumbago
My garden’s true blue flowers are a rare treasure, and Plumbago delivers beautifully! The summer blooms transform into stunning coppery red foliage in fall.
I’ve planted it in full sun with well-drained soil, and it rewards me by naturally keeping weeds at bay. Spring pruning encourages tons of new growth and blooms.
Just keep a spade handy – this enthusiastic spreader needs occasional boundaries!
23. Siberian Cypress
This low-growing evergreen has become my go-to for year-round interest. The feathery foliage turns the most gorgeous coppery bronze in autumn.
I’ve found it thrives in partial shade, even in poor soil conditions. It’s incredibly cold-hardy, which is perfect for my climate.
An occasional pruning keeps it shaped just the way I like it.
24. Bugle Weed
Don’t let the name fool you – this is far from a pesky weed! My 6-inch tall carpet comes in gorgeous shades of green, purple, and variegated leaves.
The spring display of blue, lavender, or white flower spikes is absolutely charming. In my southern garden, it stays evergreen all year.
Good air circulation and well-drained soil keep it healthy and thriving.
25. Japanese Pachysandra
This has been my ultimate solution for those tricky spots under trees! The glossy deep green foliage creates a beautiful carpet effect, standing 6-12 inches tall.
White flower spikes in summer add an elegant touch. I’ve found it thrives in fertile, well-drained soil beneath my mature trees.
My top tip: avoid getting the foliage wet when watering to prevent disease. It spreads through underground rhizomes to form beautiful colonies that last for years.