Bare spots in Arkansas yards often stick out like a sore thumb, yet a few smart ground-cover choices can flip the script fast. Patchy soil, stubborn shade, or worn pathways no longer need to drag a lawn downhill.
Certain hardy plants spread in a snap, lock soil in place, and give every trouble spot fresh life. With the right picks, a yard gains color, texture, and toughness that hold up through Arkansas heat and sudden storms. One simple switch can turn a tired patch into a showpiece.
1. Creeping Thyme
Walking across a carpet of creeping thyme releases a delightful fragrance that makes every step feel special. This tough little plant handles foot traffic surprisingly well, making it perfect for pathways and areas between pavers.
Arkansas gardeners love how it blooms with tiny purple flowers in late spring, attracting bees and butterflies. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating the hot summers without complaint. Once established, it needs minimal watering and practically takes care of itself, spreading steadily to fill bare patches with its aromatic foliage.
2. Mondo Grass
If shade is your problem, mondo grass comes to the rescue with its dark green, grass-like foliage that stays attractive year-round. This evergreen perennial forms dense clumps that gradually spread to create a lush carpet beneath trees and in shadowy corners.
Arkansas’s humid climate suits mondo grass perfectly, and it handles both heat and cold without losing its good looks. Maintenance is practically zero since it rarely needs mowing or trimming. Small purple flowers appear in summer, followed by dark blue berries that add unexpected interest to shaded areas.
3. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Slopes and banks that refuse to grow grass finally meet their match with periwinkle’s vigorous spreading habit. Glossy evergreen leaves create a thick mat that prevents erosion while looking polished throughout all four seasons.
Come spring, cheerful blue-purple flowers dot the foliage, brightening up previously bare spots with splashes of color. Arkansas gardeners appreciate how periwinkle adapts to both sun and shade, though it performs best with some afternoon protection. Once it gets going, this ground cover fills in quickly and chokes out most weeds naturally.
4. Liriope (Monkey Grass)
Tough as nails and pretty to boot, liriope handles whatever Arkansas weather throws its way without breaking a sweat. Its arching, grass-like leaves form substantial clumps that create bold texture in problem areas where other plants struggle.
Purple or white flower spikes rise above the foliage in late summer, adding vertical interest when most gardens are winding down. Drought, heat, humidity, and even deer don’t bother this reliable performer. It works equally well in sun or shade, making it incredibly versatile for filling bare spots throughout your yard.
5. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Bronze, purple, and green foliage creates a stunning tapestry when ajuga spreads across bare ground in your Arkansas landscape. This low-growing perennial stays close to the earth, forming tight rosettes that interlock to create a weed-blocking blanket.
Blue flower spikes shoot up in spring, creating a dramatic display that lasts for weeks. Ajuga tolerates shade beautifully, making it ideal for those difficult spots under trees where grass refuses to grow. It spreads quickly through runners, filling in gaps faster than many other ground covers while staying easy to control.
6. Pachysandra
Deep shade under mature trees becomes a feature instead of a problem when pachysandra moves in with its glossy, serrated leaves. This evergreen ground cover thrives where grass gives up, creating a uniform carpet of rich green foliage that looks intentional and polished.
Arkansas gardeners appreciate how it stays attractive through winter, maintaining its color when everything else goes dormant. Small white flowers appear in spring, though the real star is the consistent, low-maintenance foliage. It spreads steadily without becoming aggressive, filling bare patches while respecting boundaries you set.
7. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Dry, rocky spots that defeat other plants become showcases when sedum takes root with its colorful, succulent foliage. Dozens of varieties offer leaves in shades of green, red, purple, and gold, creating living artwork in previously barren areas.
Arkansas’s hot, dry summers don’t faze these water-wise champions that store moisture in their thick leaves. Star-shaped flowers in pink, yellow, or white attract pollinators while requiring zero effort from you. Sedum spreads reliably without invasive tendencies, filling gaps while staying compact and manageable in sunny, well-drained locations throughout your yard.