Evergreen groundcover plants are the unsung heroes of the garden. Offering year-round color and texture, these plants not only beautify but also perform invaluable tasks like soil stabilization and weed suppression. Whether you’re looking to create a lush carpet in shaded areas or add a splash of color to a sunny slope, these plants deliver unmatched versatility and charm.
1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Imagine treading upon a fragrant carpet as you wander down a sun-soaked garden path. Creeping thyme, with its aromatic foliage and delicate purple flowers, nestles perfectly between stepping stones. Its drought-tolerant nature makes it an ideal choice for those looking to minimize water usage.
For optimal health, ensure it receives ample sunlight, allowing it to flourish without much fuss. Planting creeping thyme between stones not only adds beauty but also enhances the sensory experience of your garden journey.
2. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)
A gentle sea of green, speckled with delicate blue stars, awaits your gaze in a quiet corner of the garden. Blue star creeper creates this serene scene, offering a soft mat that thrives in partial shade.
It’s perfect for those tricky spots between pavers or stones, where its small leaves and flowers can soften hard edges. Regular moisture and a little love will keep this groundcover happy, providing a beautiful, low-maintenance option for gardeners looking to fill gaps and enrich their outdoor spaces.
3. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Nestled low against the forest floor, bearberry’s glossy leaves form a lush, evergreen mat. As winter arrives, bright red berries emerge, providing a splash of color against the dark foliage. Preferring acidic, sandy soils and full sun, bearberry is an excellent choice for those looking to add low-maintenance beauty to their garden.
Its trailing habit makes it ideal for erosion control, while its year-round appeal ensures it remains a focal point in any landscape setting.
4. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)
Beneath the dappled shade of towering trees, a dark, enchanting groundcover weaves its spell. Ajuga, with its purplish foliage and striking blue flower spikes, is a favorite for shaded spots. Its ability to thrive in low-light conditions makes it a go-to choice for those challenging areas under trees.
Ajuga not only adds color and texture but also suppresses weeds, making it both beautiful and functional. A splash of color in the dimmest corners of the garden can transform a space.
5. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)
A cascade of golden leaves spills effortlessly over the garden’s edge, drawing the eye with its vibrant hue. Creeping Jenny, renowned for its stunning chartreuse foliage, thrives in moist soil and partial shade. This groundcover’s lush appearance makes it a standout choice for adding brightness to shaded garden areas.
Its trailing habit creates a flowing carpet that softens hard lines and introduces a splash of golden color, ensuring your garden remains lively and inviting throughout the seasons.
6. Sedum ‘Angelina’
A vibrant carpet of neon green succulents unfurls across a sun-drenched landscape. Sedum ‘Angelina’ is a hardy groundcover that dazzles with its color-shifting foliage, which turns a brilliant orange in cooler weather.
Ideal for rocky soils and full sun, this plant requires minimal care while offering maximum drought tolerance. Its ability to thrive in challenging conditions makes it a valuable addition to any garden, providing year-round interest and color with little effort.
7. Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
A soft, fuzzy blanket spreads across the garden, inviting touch and admiration. Woolly thyme, with its silver-green hues, creates a lush groundcover ideal for rock gardens. Preferring full sun and excellent drainage, this thyme variety thrives in challenging environments.
Its texture and color make it a standout choice for gardeners looking to add a unique touch to their outdoor spaces. Its resilience and beauty ensure it remains a cherished feature in any landscape.
8. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
Nestled between flagstones, Irish moss creates a vivid, emerald carpet that delights the senses. This lush groundcover thrives in partial shade and consistently moist soil, maintaining its verdant hue throughout the year.
It’s an excellent way to fill gaps and create a seamless, soft landscape. As a low-maintenance option, Irish moss brings both beauty and functionality to garden paths and shady spots.
9. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Beneath the towering trees, a glossy, green carpet stretches out, suppressing weeds and adding elegance. Japanese Spurge, a shade-loving groundcover, thrives in deep shade and rich, loamy soil. Its dense growth and evergreen nature make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty.
This plant’s ability to thrive in challenging conditions makes it an invaluable addition to any shaded garden area.
10. Liriope (Liriope muscari)
In the garden’s quiet corners, dense tufts of green blades sway gently, adorned with striking purple flower spikes. Liriope is a versatile groundcover that adapts well to both sun and shade, requiring minimal upkeep.
Liriope has lush foliage and vibrant blooms add color and texture, making it a popular choice for borders and mass plantings. Its resilience and ease of care ensure it remains a favorite among gardeners looking for reliable beauty.
11. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Springtime brings a riot of color as creeping phlox blankets hillsides in pinks and purples. This vibrant groundcover not only adds beauty but also serves an important role in erosion control.
Thriving in sunny areas, it prefers well-drained soil and provides a lush, colorful carpet that delights the eyes. It offers both visual appeal and practical benefits.
12. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
In the lush, shaded corners of the garden, sweet woodruff unfurls its star-shaped leaves, releasing a subtle, sweet fragrance. This enchanting groundcover thrives in moist, woodland-like soil, adding charm and elegance to shaded areas.
The delicate white blooms punctuate the green, offering a soft, romantic touch. As a low-maintenance choice, sweet woodruff brings both beauty and a gentle aroma to your garden sanctuary.
13. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
Delicate and fragrant, a velvety green mat of Corsican mint nestles between garden stones, offering a refreshing minty scent with every step.
This charming groundcover thrives in shaded, damp areas, providing both beauty and fragrance to paths and walkways. Low-growing habit and aromatic leaves make it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking to add sensory appeal to their outdoor spaces.
14. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
A striking display of geometric rosettes transforms a dry slope into a captivating spectacle. Hens and chicks, with their green and burgundy hues, are perfectly suited for sunny, gravelly soils. These resilient succulents require minimal care, making them ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance solution.
The unique form and color create a focal point, adding both interest and charm to any garden setting.
15. Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)
Tiny twin flowers peek from beneath the forest canopy, soon giving way to bright red berries. Partridgeberry’s trailing stems weave a delicate, evergreen tapestry in acidic woodland soil. Preferring dappled light, this charming groundcover adds a natural touch to shaded garden areas.
Year-round appeal and low-maintenance nature make it a beloved choice among gardeners looking to enrich their landscapes.
16. Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
Along the garden’s edge, a tapestry of variegated leaves weaves a story of vibrant color and resilience. Wintercreeper, known for its spreading habit, adapts well to sun or partial shade. Regular pruning keeps it in check, ensuring it remains an attractive groundcover.
Versatility and hardiness make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking to add year-round interest and texture to their outdoor spaces.
17. Trailing Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’)
Soft blue blooms cascade from a raised bed, filling the air with the aroma of rosemary. Trailing rosemary thrives in hot, sunny spots with well-drained soil, offering both beauty and fragrance. Its sprawling habit makes it a delightful addition to herb gardens or as a culinary accent.
This robust groundcover combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, providing a sensory experience for gardeners.
18. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
A velvety, silver expanse stretches across the garden, inviting touch and admiration. Lamb’s ear, with its soft foliage, creates a striking carpet along sunny borders. Preferring dry, well-drained soil, this groundcover is both hardy and beautiful.
Texture and color make it a standout choice for adding visual interest and a touch of whimsy to any landscape. Ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance elegance.
19. Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidea)
A cascade of vibrant purple flowers spills over a rock wall, announcing the arrival of spring. Rock cress is a hardy groundcover that thrives in well-drained soil and sunny spots.
After its stunning spring display, a quick trim keeps this evergreen mound tidy and fresh. Rock cress is definitely a favorite for rock gardens and borders.
20. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
A shimmering silver blanket spreads across the garden, its delicate white blooms resembling a fresh snowfall. Snow-in-Summer thrives on sunny, dry slopes, offering year-round brightness and interest.
Low-maintenance nature and striking appearance make it a valuable addition to any garden. Ideal for those seeking to enhance their landscape with beauty and resilience.
21. Mazus (Mazus reptans)
A dense, green carpet unfurls underfoot, punctuated by dainty purple flowers in spring. Mazus is a charming groundcover that thrives in moist soil and part sun, offering lush, rapid growth.
It’s a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of color and texture. Ideal for filling gaps and creating a seamless, vibrant green landscape.
22. Ivy (Hedera helix)
In the garden’s secret corners, ivy unfurls its glossy leaves, trailing across the ground and creeping up walls. This versatile groundcover thrives in shady areas, but its vigorous growth requires careful management.
When contained, ivy adds a classic touch to gardens, offering dense coverage and year-round interest. It can adapt to diverse conditions makes it a popular choice for many gardeners.
23. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
In the cool embrace of the garden’s shaded nooks, periwinkle-blue blooms surprise and delight. Vinca minor, with its glossy foliage, creates a lush carpet that thrives in shady areas with erosion concerns.
This hardy groundcover’s ability to suppress weeds and stabilize soil makes it a practical yet beautiful choice. Vibrant flowers and evergreen leaves ensure it remains a garden favorite.
24. Bugleweed (Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’)
In the garden’s nooks and crannies, a tapestry of bronze hues weaves a story of color and texture. Bugleweed ‘Chocolate Chip,’ with its compact foliage and short flower spikes, thrives in tight spaces and containers.
This charming groundcover adds both elegance and practicality, offering a unique touch to any garden setting. It can adapt and flourish in challenging conditions makes it a versatile choice.
25. Golden Sedum (Sedum acre)
A radiant carpet of gold-green sedum hugs the rocky ground, its hues shifting to a burnt orange come winter. Golden sedum thrives in full sun and sandy soil, offering a vibrant, low-maintenance solution for challenging spots.
Perfect for adding a splash of brightness to any landscape!
26. Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Peppered with tiny white flowers and bright red fruit, a patch of alpine strawberry beckons both eyes and taste buds. This charming groundcover thrives in sunny borders, offering not only visual appeal but also delicious, edible strawberries.
Evergreen nature ensures year-round interest, making it a delightful addition to any garden. Ideal for those seeking a touch of beauty and utility.
27. Siberian Carpet Cypress (Microbiota decussata)
A soft, bronze-toned mat blankets the garden, offering a unique twist on traditional groundcovers. Siberian Carpet Cypress, with its needled branches, thrives on slopes with partial shade, providing low-maintenance coverage.
Resilience and beauty make it a valuable choice for gardeners seeking to add texture and subtle color to their landscapes.
28. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
In the shaded garden, a tapestry of colorful foliage greets the eye, holding its vibrant hues through winter. Heuchera, with its diverse palette of burgundy, lime, and peach, thrives in shade gardens.
Selecting evergreen cultivars ensures year-round interest, adding both beauty and texture to the landscape. It’s a beloved choice for gardeners looking to enhance their outdoor spaces.