April showers might bring May flowers, but what about the lush green carpets that make your garden shine? If you’re ready to say goodbye to endless weeding and hello to a landscape that takes care of itself, you’re in the right place. These ground covers will provide you with that picture-perfect lawn without breaking a sweat. Dive into this list to discover the best options for a garden that stays gorgeous all year round.
1. Creeping Thyme
Who knew thyme could be more than just a kitchen staple? Enter creeping thyme, the charming ground cover that’s all about low-maintenance beauty. With its purple blooms and delightful aroma, it not only pleases the eye but also the nose.
A perfect fit for those sunny spots, it thrives in well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens or between stepping stones. Plus, it’s a pollinator magnet, so expect to see bees buzzing about. Add this to your garden, and you’ll find yourself in thyme heaven.
2. Irish Moss
Ever wanted to walk on a lush, green cloud? Irish moss is your ticket to that dream. This charming ground cover forms a dense, cushiony mat that stays vibrant all year round.
Its tiny white flowers add a sprinkle of magic, especially in the spring. Perfect for those shady corners or between stepping stones, it’s like having a piece of Ireland right in your backyard. While it loves moisture, it’s surprisingly forgiving, making it a favorite for gardeners seeking elegance with minimal effort.
3. Dwarf Mondo Grass
Looking for something dark, mysterious, and effortlessly chic? Dwarf mondo grass has you covered—literally. This ground cover flaunts its deep green, narrow leaves that add a touch of sophistication to any garden.
Ideal for borders and pathways, it’s as low-maintenance as they come, thriving in both sun and shade. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant, perfect for those who’d rather sip lemonade than water their lawn. Plant this, and let your garden exude an aura of understated elegance.
4. Creeping Jenny
Bright, bold, and unapologetically lush—that’s creeping Jenny for you. This ground cover is all about making a statement with its vibrant chartreuse leaves. Ideal for hanging baskets or spilling over walls, it brings a burst of sunshine wherever it grows.
While it thrives in damp soil, it’s adaptable enough to handle a bit of dryness too. Whether it’s in full sun or partial shade, creeping Jenny spreads joy (and itself) with ease. Add it to your garden, and enjoy a splash of color without the fuss.
5. Sweet Woodruff
Fancy a touch of the woodland in your backyard? Sweet woodruff is your go-to ground cover for that serene, woodland vibe. With its whorls of fragrant leaves and dainty, star-shaped white flowers, it’s perfect for shady areas beneath trees.
This little charmer thrives in moist, well-drained soil, making it an ideal companion for ferns and hostas. Besides adding beauty, it also serves as a natural insect repellent. Plant sweet woodruff, and let your garden whisper tales of enchanted forests.
6. Blue Star Creeper
Need a star performer for your garden? Blue star creeper dazzles with its delicate blue flowers and lush green foliage. This ground cover is the perfect choice for filling in gaps between stepping stones or creating a soft carpet underfoot.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and can handle a bit of foot traffic. With its low-growing habit, it’s a fantastic alternative to traditional grass lawns, requiring minimal maintenance. Bring the sky to your garden with blue star creeper and enjoy a starry landscape every day.
7. Ajuga
Looking to add a pop of color to your garden floor? Ajuga’s got you covered with its striking purple hues and spikes of blue flowers. This ground cover is all about drama and flair without the need for constant attention.
Perfect for shaded areas, it creates a stunning contrast against green foliage. Ajuga loves well-drained soil and is a breeze to care for once established. Enjoy a vibrant splash of color and texture with ajuga, and watch your garden floor turn into a visual masterpiece.
8. Lamb’s Ear
Soft, fuzzy, and oh-so-touchable, lamb’s ear is like having a garden full of plush toys. This ground cover features silvery leaves that you just can’t resist petting. Ideal for sunny spots, it adds texture and interest to any garden bed.
Lamb’s ear is drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil, making it perfect for those who forget about their garden from time to time. Once in bloom, it also produces lovely purple flower spikes. Add lamb’s ear, and let your garden offer a tactile experience like no other.
9. Sedum
Want a garden that practically takes care of itself? Sedum is your best bet. Known for its fleshy leaves and clusters of pink flowers, this ground cover is all about resilience. It thrives in poor, rocky soils and is perfect for slopes or rock gardens.
With minimal water needs, sedum is the epitome of low-maintenance landscaping. It’s also a favorite among pollinators, so expect visits from bees and butterflies. Plant sedum, and enjoy a garden that’s as effortless as it is stunning.
10. Vinca Minor
Looking for a classic beauty that stands the test of time? Vinca minor is your go-to ground cover with its glossy green leaves and charming periwinkle flowers. Perfect for shady areas, it’s a versatile choice that adds elegance to any garden.
This evergreen beauty is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established. Its sprawling habit makes it an excellent choice for covering large areas. With vinca minor, your garden will enjoy year-round beauty with minimal effort.
11. Japanese Blood Grass
For those who crave drama in the garden, Japanese blood grass delivers. This ground cover features striking red-tipped blades that dance in the wind, adding movement and flair to your landscape.
Ideal for sunny spots, it thrives in well-drained soil and requires little care once established. Its bold color makes it perfect for adding contrast and interest to garden beds or borders. Plant Japanese blood grass, and let your garden stories be as vibrant as its colors.
12. Pachysandra
If you’re seeking elegance in the shadows, pachysandra is the answer. This ground cover is perfect for shaded areas, forming a dense carpet of glossy green leaves. Tiny white flowers add a touch of beauty to its lush greenery.
It thrives in well-drained soil and is an excellent choice for preventing soil erosion on shady slopes. Pachysandra requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for gardeners who appreciate simplicity and beauty. With pachysandra, your garden will exude grace in the quietest of corners.
13. Hellebores
Looking for winter blooms that brighten up your garden? Hellebores, with their nodding pinkish flowers, are just what you need. These ground covers thrive in partial shade, offering color when most plants are still hibernating.
Ideal for woodland gardens, hellebores prefer well-drained soil and are relatively easy to care for. Their evergreen foliage adds year-round interest, while their flowers add a touch of elegance. Plant hellebores, and let your garden be a winter wonderland.
14. Corsican Mint
Who can resist the fresh, invigorating scent of mint? Corsican mint doubles as a ground cover that releases a delightful aroma with every step. Perfect for growing between stepping stones, it thrives in moist, shady spots.
Its tiny leaves and low-growing habit make it a charming addition to your garden path. Corsican mint is easy to care for but appreciates regular watering. Add this to your landscape, and enjoy a garden that smells as good as it looks.
15. Ground Morning Glory
Why wait for morning when your garden can glow all day? Ground morning glory, with its brilliant blue flowers, brings a splash of color to any sunny spot. This ground cover thrives on slopes and rocky areas, adding a vibrant touch wherever it grows.
Its trailing habit makes it perfect for spilling over edges or covering unsightly spots. With minimal care requirements, ground morning glory is a cheerful addition to any garden. Plant it, and let your landscape bloom with morning delight.
16. Purple Heart
In search of a ground cover that’s as bold as you are? Purple heart, with its striking purple leaves, is ready to make a statement. This hardy plant thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas, adding drama and interest wherever it grows.
Its small pink flowers provide a lovely contrast against the dark foliage. Perfect for borders or containers, it’s low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Add purple heart to your garden, and let it speak volumes with its rich hues.
17. Fescue
Looking for a grass that’s all sophistication without the hassle? Fescue is your answer. With its fine, bluish-green blades, it adds a touch of elegance to any garden. Ideal for sunny slopes or as a lawn alternative, fescue is both drought-tolerant and easy to care for.
Once established, it requires minimal watering and maintenance. Its soft texture invites you to kick off your shoes and enjoy a barefoot walk. Plant fescue, and enjoy a lawn that feels as good as it looks.
18. Mazus
Need a ground cover that’s as vibrant as your personality? Mazus, with its small purple flowers, is here to charm. This fast-growing plant forms a lush carpet that thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas.
Perfect for edging walkways or filling in gaps, it’s a low-maintenance solution for a colorful garden floor. Mazus appreciates regular watering but rewards you with a stunning display in return. Add mazus to your garden, and let your landscape reflect your lively spirit.
19. Candytuft
Craving a garden that’s candy for the eyes? Candytuft’s your sugar rush with its clusters of white flowers. This perennial ground cover is as sweet as it sounds, perfect for sunny spots and well-drained soil.
Its evergreen foliage keeps your garden looking fresh even when not in bloom. Ideal for borders or spilling over walls, candytuft is a treat for both you and the pollinators. Plant this delight, and enjoy a garden that’s always in style.
20. Liriope Muscari
Liriope Muscari, commonly referred to as Lilyturf, is a versatile ground cover that flourishes in various light conditions—from full sun to partial shade. Its grass-like leaves and violet flower spikes add texture and color to garden paths and borders. This hardy plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.
Liriope Muscari not only serves as an ornamental feature but also as an effective erosion control. The dense foliage helps retain soil, while the vibrant blooms attract pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity. With minimal care requirements, it’s a favorite for those looking to fill garden spaces effortlessly.
21. Houttuynia Cordata
Houttuynia Cordata, also known as Chameleon Plant, is a resilient ground cover loved for its vibrant, multicolored foliage. The heart-shaped leaves showcase a striking blend of green, red, and yellow hues, making it a standout in any garden. This plant thrives in moist, partly shaded areas, offering an attractive solution for less sunny spots.
While Houttuynia Cordata spreads rapidly, it can be easily maintained with regular pruning. Its ability to suppress weeds makes it a practical choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and functionality. Ideal for garden borders or under trees, it provides a lush, colorful carpet that enhances overall garden aesthetics.
22. Ice Plant
Dreaming of a garden that glitters in the sun? Ice plant delivers with its pink, daisy-like flowers and succulent leaves. Perfect for sunny spots and well-drained soil, it adds a touch of the exotic to any landscape.
This ground cover is drought-tolerant and extremely easy to care for, making it ideal for rock gardens or harsh conditions. With its vibrant blooms and shimmering leaves, the ice plant creates a stunning display that’s hard to resist. Add it to your garden, and enjoy a landscape that’s as radiant as it is resilient.
23. Creeping Raspberry
For a garden that’s both charming and productive, creeping raspberry is the way to go. This vigorous ground cover features lush green leaves and small white flowers, eventually producing edible fruit. It’s perfect for covering embankments or filling large areas. Creeping raspberry thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas and is easy to care for once established. Its low-maintenance nature makes it a favorite among gardeners looking for beauty and bounty. Add creeping raspberry to your landscape, and enjoy both its visual and culinary delights.
24. Wild Ginger
Looking for a ground cover that’s as intriguing as it is practical? Wild ginger offers a lush carpet of glossy, heart-shaped leaves that thrive in shady areas. Perfect for woodland gardens, it adds a touch of mystery with its hidden brownish flowers.
Wild ginger is low-maintenance and thrives in moist, well-drained soil. It’s a great choice for adding texture and interest to shaded spots. Plant wild ginger, and let your garden tell tales of hidden treasures.
25. Barrenwort
Want a touch of magic in those shady nooks? Barrenwort delivers with its delicate yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves. This ground cover thrives in the shade, adding a splash of color and charm to any corner.
It’s low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for gardeners who prefer to let nature do the work. With its enchanting appearance, barrenwort turns any garden into a secret paradise. Plant it, and let your garden whisper tales of enchantment.
26. Dead Nettle
Despite its ominous name, dead nettle is all about charm with its variegated leaves and pink flowers. This ground cover thrives in shady areas, making it an ideal choice for brightening up dark corners.
Its low-growing habit and minimal care requirements make it a favorite for busy gardeners. Dead nettle is also a great option for erosion control on shaded slopes. Add it to your garden, and watch as it transforms the landscape into a vibrant tapestry of color.
27. Creeping Phlox
Want a floral display that’ll make your garden the envy of the neighborhood? Creeping phlox is your answer. With its vibrant pink and white blooms, it creates a stunning carpet of color in sunny spots.
Ideal for cascading over walls or covering slopes, it’s a breathtaking sight in spring. Creeping phlox is low-maintenance and thrives in well-drained soil. Plant this beauty, and let your garden be the talk of the town with its dazzling display.
28. Silver Carpet
Craving a ground cover that sparkles? Silver carpet, with its silvery-green leaves, adds a touch of shimmer to any garden. Ideal for sunny spots, it thrives in well-drained soil and requires minimal care.
Its tiny yellow flowers add a hint of color to its silvery foliage, creating a subtle yet stunning display. Perfect for borders or rock gardens, the silver carpet is a gardener’s dream come true. Plant this gem, and watch your garden shine with silvery elegance.