Bare patches in your garden can be frustrating, especially when you want a lush, green yard all year round. Virginia’s climate offers the perfect conditions for many fast-spreading ground covers that quickly fill in those empty spaces.
Whether you’re dealing with shady areas, slopes, or just want to reduce lawn maintenance, these plants will transform your garden into a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape.
1. Creeping Phlox
Imagine a carpet of bright pink, purple, or white flowers cascading down a hillside each spring. Creeping Phlox creates exactly that stunning display while spreading rapidly to cover bare ground.
This hardy perennial thrives in Virginia’s climate and handles both full sun and partial shade beautifully. Once established, it requires minimal watering and practically takes care of itself.
Plant it along walkways or on slopes where erosion is a concern, and watch it transform problem areas into showstoppers.
2. Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)
Glossy green leaves topped with delicate purple-blue flowers make Periwinkle a favorite for shady spots. This evergreen ground cover spreads through trailing stems that root wherever they touch soil.
Virginia gardeners love it because deer usually leave it alone, and it tolerates dry shade better than grass ever could. The foliage stays attractive throughout winter, providing year-round interest.
Be aware that it spreads enthusiastically, so plant it where you want dense coverage without worrying about containment.
3. Pachysandra
When nothing else seems to grow under your trees, Pachysandra comes to the rescue. Its distinctive whorled leaves create a lush, uniform carpet in even the deepest shade.
This Japanese native has become a staple in Virginia landscapes because it spreads steadily without becoming invasive. Small white flower spikes appear in spring, adding a subtle touch of elegance.
Mulch around new plantings initially, and within two seasons you’ll have a maintenance-free ground cover that stays green all winter long.
4. Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Bronze, purple, and green foliage makes Ajuga stand out even before its brilliant blue flower spikes emerge in late spring. Gardeners appreciate how quickly it fills bare spots, spreading via runners that root easily.
Virginia’s moderate winters suit this semi-evergreen perfectly, and it handles both sun and shade with equal success. The colorful leaves add visual interest to areas where plain green might feel boring.
Space plants about six inches apart for faster coverage, and expect a full carpet within one growing season.
5. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Succulent leaves store water, making Sedum the ultimate choice for hot, dry spots where other plants struggle. Dozens of varieties offer different colors, from blue-green to burgundy.
This tough ground cover spreads slowly but surely, rooting from stem pieces that break off and touch soil. Butterflies flock to the late-summer flowers, adding wildlife appeal to your garden.
Perfect for rock gardens or sunny slopes, Sedum needs almost no maintenance once established and actually prefers poor soil over rich, amended beds.
6. Liriope (Monkey Grass)
Grass-like foliage in neat clumps makes Liriope ideal for edging beds or creating defined borders. Purple flower spikes shoot up in late summer, followed by black berries that birds enjoy.
Virginia’s heat and humidity don’t faze this evergreen ground cover one bit. It spreads through underground rhizomes, gradually filling spaces without aggressive takeover tendencies.
Cut back old foliage in early spring before new growth emerges, and you’ll maintain a tidy appearance year after year with minimal effort required.
7. Sweet Woodruff
Delicate white star-shaped flowers appear above whorled leaves in spring, releasing a sweet vanilla-like fragrance when brushed or crushed. Sweet Woodruff thrives in Virginia’s shady woodland gardens where moisture stays consistent.
This European native spreads at a moderate pace, never becoming thuggish but filling in reliably over time. The bright green foliage brightens dark corners better than many shade plants.
Historically used for flavoring beverages, it adds both beauty and aromatic charm to your outdoor spaces throughout the growing season.
8. Mazus Reptans
Tiny purple flowers with yellow throats cover this low-growing gem in late spring, creating a fairy-tale effect between stepping stones. Mazus hugs the ground tightly, tolerating light foot traffic surprisingly well.
Virginia gardeners use it to soften hardscapes and fill cracks in patios where nothing else fits. It prefers moist soil and partial shade but adapts to various conditions.
Plant it in spring, keep it watered during establishment, and soon you’ll have a charming, flower-covered carpet that self-seeds gently.
9. Golden Creeping Jenny
Bright chartreuse-yellow leaves practically glow in shady areas, bringing sunshine to spots that rarely see it. Creeping Jenny spreads rapidly through trailing stems, making it excellent for quick coverage.
This vigorous grower loves moisture, so plant it near downspouts or in rain gardens where Virginia’s summer storms collect. The foliage stays colorful from spring through fall, providing constant visual interest.
Watch it carefully though, as it can become aggressive in ideal conditions and may need occasional trimming to keep it in bounds.