I’ve learned that early planting makes all the difference when it comes to groundcover in Idaho. Wait too long, and the cold sneaks in before the roots settle.
These easy growers don’t need much fuss, but they do love a little head start. I’ve tucked them in before fall hits, and they always come back strong.
If you want a low-maintenance boost for next year, now’s the time to get them in the ground.
1. Creeping Thyme
Looking for something that smells amazing when you step on it? This aromatic herb creates a gorgeous purple carpet that Idaho gardeners adore.
It’s incredibly drought-tolerant once established and can handle the state’s varied climate conditions. Bees love it too, making it an eco-friendly choice for those empty spots between stepping stones.
2. Sedum
Hardy and practically indestructible, sedum thrives in Idaho’s challenging soil conditions where other plants struggle. The fleshy leaves store water like tiny reservoirs.
Many Idaho gardeners choose this succulent groundcover for its spectacular fall color transformation. Some varieties turn brilliant red or copper, creating a stunning display just as other plants are fading away.
3. Kinnikinnick
Native to Idaho’s mountains, this evergreen groundcover brings year-round interest with little maintenance. Small pink flowers in spring give way to bright red berries that persist through winter.
The dense mat of foliage prevents weeds while providing habitat for local wildlife. Idaho gardeners appreciate how it handles the state’s cold winters without batting an eye, staying green even under snow.
4. Ajuga
Also known as bugleweed, this fast-spreading option creates a carpet of color even in shady spots. The glossy leaves often show hints of purple, bronze, or chocolate.
Spring brings spikes of blue flowers that brighten up Idaho gardens just as they’re coming back to life. Ajuga handles the state’s cold winters beautifully and bounces back vigorously each spring.
5. Snow-in-Summer
True to its name, this groundcover blankets Idaho gardens with a flurry of white blooms in late spring. The silvery-gray foliage remains attractive all season, even after flowering ends.
Idaho gardeners love how it thrives in poor soil and full sun where other plants struggle. Its drought tolerance makes it perfect for those challenging spots in your yard that rarely see a hose.
6. Creeping Phlox
Spring in Idaho becomes magical when creeping phlox unfurls its carpet of star-shaped blooms in pink, purple, or white. The flowers are so abundant they completely hide the foliage beneath.
This tough plant handles Idaho’s temperature swings without complaint. It’s particularly stunning cascading over retaining walls or softening the edges of pathways throughout the Gem State.
7. Sweet Woodruff
Dappled shade areas in Idaho gardens become enchanted with this fragrant groundcover. The whorled leaves emit a pleasant vanilla-hay scent when crushed or dried.
Delicate white flowers appear in spring, creating a starry effect against the bright green foliage. Idaho gardeners appreciate how it thrives under deciduous trees where grass struggles, solving those tricky bare spots.
8. Lamb’s Ear
The velvety, silver-gray leaves of lamb’s ear bring irresistible texture to Idaho gardens. Kids especially love touching the soft foliage that feels just like its namesake.
This drought-tolerant perennial spreads gradually to form a dense mat that chokes out weeds. Idaho gardeners value its ability to handle the state’s hot, dry summers while still looking fresh and attractive.
9. Vinca Minor
Shady problem areas in Idaho yards transform with this adaptable evergreen groundcover. The glossy dark green leaves create a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds year-round.
Pretty periwinkle-blue flowers appear in spring, dotting the foliage with color. Many Idaho gardeners rely on vinca for those difficult north-facing spots where few other plants will grow happily.
10. Hens and Chicks
These charming succulents create living mosaics in Idaho rock gardens and between pavers. The rosette pattern forms naturally as parent plants (hens) produce numerous offsets (chicks) that cluster around them.
Incredibly drought-tolerant, they thrive in Idaho’s hot, dry summers with minimal care. Their ability to store water in fleshy leaves means you won’t be dragging the hose around during water restrictions.
11. Corsican Mint
The tiniest groundcover on our list releases an intoxicating fragrance when stepped upon. Its miniature leaves create a carpet so dense it resembles moss more than a traditional plant.
Idaho gardeners tuck it between stepping stones for a sensory surprise. The refreshing scent is especially welcome during hot summer days, adding an unexpected dimension to garden walks across the state.
12. Dragon’s Blood Sedum
The rich burgundy foliage of this sedum variety adds dramatic color to Idaho landscapes year-round. Summer brings starry red flowers that attract pollinators by the dozens.
Extremely drought-tolerant, it thrives in poor soil where little else grows. Idaho gardeners appreciate its ability to handle the state’s temperature extremes while maintaining its striking color through all four seasons.
13. Creeping Jenny
Bright chartreuse foliage lights up shady corners of Idaho gardens like nature’s spotlight. The coin-shaped leaves form a mat that cascades beautifully over walls and container edges.
This vigorous spreader helps control erosion on slopes throughout the Gem State. In moist areas, it fills in quickly, creating a golden carpet that contrasts beautifully with darker foliage plants.
14. Wild Ginger
Heart-shaped leaves emerge in spring, creating a lush groundcover for woodland gardens across Idaho. Though not related to culinary ginger, the roots have a similar spicy fragrance when disturbed.
This native plant thrives in the dappled shade conditions found under deciduous trees. Idaho gardeners value its ability to suppress weeds while providing habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife.
15. Cranesbill Geranium
Not to be confused with annual geraniums, these hardy perennials spread to form weed-suppressing mats of deeply cut foliage. Cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or blue appear for weeks.
Idaho gardeners appreciate their versatility in sun or partial shade. The leaves often develop spectacular fall color, extending the season of interest in gardens throughout the state’s varied climate regions.
16. Woolly Thyme
Tiny gray-green leaves covered in soft fuzz create a distinctive textural element in Idaho rock gardens. Unlike its cousin creeping thyme, this variety is grown primarily for its unique foliage rather than flowers.
It tolerates foot traffic and releases a pleasant herbal scent when crushed. Idaho gardeners use it between stepping stones and in rock wall crevices where its drought tolerance really shines.
17. Idaho Fescue
This native grass creates a soft, flowing groundcover that’s perfectly adapted to the state’s growing conditions. The blue-green foliage forms neat clumps that wave gracefully in Idaho’s mountain breezes.
Drought-tolerant and long-lived, it requires almost no maintenance once established. Idaho gardeners appreciate how it prevents erosion on slopes while providing habitat for native wildlife throughout the state.