Bring your garden to life with these 26 incredible filler plants! Whether you’re looking to add texture, color, or a touch of fragrance, these plants do more than just fill gaps—they create a lush, layered masterpiece.
From delicate blooms to rich foliage, each variety enhances the beauty of your landscape, making it feel fuller and more vibrant. Get ready to explore the best fillers that will turn your garden into a thriving, picture-perfect oasis!
1. Sweet Alyssum
Petite blooms blanket the garden floor, creating a soft carpet of color. Sweet Alyssum is adored for its clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators. Ideal for borders or container gardens, this plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering. Its sweet scent and delicate appearance make it a favorite among gardeners seeking a gentle touch.
2. Lamb’s Ear
Fuzzy leaves add a tactile dimension to garden spaces, enticing touch. Lamb’s Ear, with its silver-gray foliage, is perfect for edging pathways.
This drought-tolerant plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Its unique texture and low-maintenance nature make it a gardener’s dream.
3. Coral Bells
Colorful foliage is at the heart of this plant’s appeal. Coral Bells offer a dazzling array of leaf colors and textures.
Thriving in partial shade to full sun, they are versatile in garden design. Regular deadheading promotes longer blooming periods.
4. Dusty Miller
Silvery leaves shimmer under the sun, casting a glow on garden beds. Dusty Miller’s unique appearance adds contrast to floral arrangements.
This hardy plant prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight. Its tolerance to drought makes it a practical choice for busy gardeners.
5. Hosta
Lush foliage provides a backdrop for more colorful plants. Hostas are beloved for their broad, variegated leaves and shade tolerance.
Hosta plants flourish in moist, well-drained soil and can thrive in full to partial shade. Their resilient nature makes them a favorite in shaded gardens.
6. Ferns
Graceful fronds create a lush, woodland feel. Ferns are an excellent choice for adding texture and depth.
Ferns prefer shaded, damp environments and can enhance any garden with their intricate grace. Easy to maintain, they bring a natural elegance to garden spaces.
7. Creeping Jenny
Vibrant trails of foliage spill over garden edges. Creeping Jenny is known for its bright green, trailing leaves that add a lush touch.
This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and loves moist soil. It’s perfect for ground cover or hanging baskets.
8. Liriope
Grass-like leaves form a neat, attractive clump. Liriope adds both texture and color with its dark green foliage and purple flower spikes.
It is a grass that grows well in sun or shade and is highly adaptable. With minimal care, it offers a reliable solution for garden boundaries.
9. Astilbe
Feathery plumes sway gently with the breeze. Astilbe brings soft, colorful spikes to shaded garden spots. The thing is, it prefers moist, well-drained soil and needs consistent watering, so you’ll need to put in some work. Yet, its vibrant flowers and lush foliage will reward you with amazing visual interest.
10. Japanese Forest Grass
Streams of golden blades create a waterfall effect. Japanese Forest Grass offers a stunning display of graceful foliage.
Best in partial to full shade, this plant loves moist, well-drained soils. Its cascading habit adds movement and interest to any landscape.
11. Bacopa
Tiny flowers cascade elegantly in hanging baskets. Bacopa is known for its continuous blooms and trailing habit.
This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and requires regular watering. Its delicate appearance makes it a favorite for adding softness to arrangements.
12. Caladium
Bold, heart-shaped leaves capture the eye. Caladium is prized for its colorful foliage that brings a tropical touch.
These plants prefer part shade and consistently moist soil. Their vibrant patterns make them a standout in any garden display.
13. Creeping Thyme
Fragrant carpets of foliage invite stepping. Creeping Thyme is a popular choice for ground cover with its aromatic leaves.
Thriving in full sun, it requires well-drained soil. Its tiny flowers attract pollinators, adding biodiversity to garden spaces.
14. Alchemilla Mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Soft, scalloped leaves collect dewdrops like jewels. Alchemilla Mollis, or Lady’s Mantle, offers both beauty and utility.
It prefers partial shade and well-drained soil, with occasional watering. Tiny yellow flowers add a touch of whimsy to its lush foliage.
15. Bergenia
Glossy green leaves make a bold statement. Bergenia is admired for its thick foliage and bright, early-spring flowers.
This plant thrives in sun or shade and prefers well-drained soil. Its resilience and colorful blooms make it a versatile choice for gardens.
16. Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Spotted leaves bring a unique flair to shaded areas. Pulmonaria, or Lungwort, is noted for its intriguing foliage and spring blooms.
This plant prefers cool, shaded environments with moist, well-drained soil. Its flowers transition from pink to blue, adding seasonal interest.
17. Brunnera
Silvery leaves glisten under dappled light. Brunnera offers heart-shaped foliage that complements its delicate blue flowers.
It flourishes in shade with moist, well-drained soil. This plant’s unique leaf pattern makes it a captivating addition to any garden.
18. Lobelia
Brilliant blooms cascade like a floral waterfall. Lobelia is cherished for its vibrant flowers and trailing growth.
This beauty requires full sun to partial shade and regular watering. Perfect for containers or borders, it adds a splash of color and elegance.
19. Ajuga
Dense mats of foliage provide a lush ground cover. Ajuga, or Bugleweed, is known for its glossy leaves and striking flower spikes.
This hardy plant thrives in sun or shade and prefers well-drained soil. Its rapid spread makes it ideal for filling in bare garden spots.
20. Sedum
Its succulent leaves store water in style. This colorful plant is admired for its drought-resistant nature and diverse forms.
Sedum enjoys full sun and well-drained soil, making it a practical choice for water-wise gardens. Its vibrant flowers attract pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity.
21. Euphorbia
Spiky foliage adds architectural interest to gardens. Euphorbia offers both unique textures and vibrant blooms.
This plant thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, ideal for sustainable gardening.
22. Oxalis
Clover-like leaves lend a lucky charm to garden settings. Oxalis is celebrated for its delicate flowers and attractive foliage.
It prefers full to partial sun and well-drained soil. This versatile plant works well in containers or as ground cover.
23. Campanula
Bell-shaped flowers nod gently in the breeze. Everyone loves campanula for its charming blooms and the ability to withstand a bit more than your everyday flower.
Bellflower thrives in sun or even partial shade with regular watering. Perfect for borders or rock gardens, it brings a whimsical touch to landscapes.
24. Gaura
Dancing flowers add movement to garden displays. Gaura, or Whirling Butterflies, is admired for its airy flowers.
This plant enjoys full sun and tolerates drought, making it suitable for low-maintenance gardens. Its long blooming period ensures continuous color.
25. Artemisia
Silvery foliage gleams under the sun. Artemisia is known for its aromatic leaves and drought tolerance.
Best in full sun with well-drained soil, it requires minimal watering. Its unique texture and scent add interest to xeriscape gardens.
26. Catmint
Lavender flowers attract buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies. Nepeta, or Catmint, is prized for its aromatic leaves and long-lasting blooms.
It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, with moderate watering. This plant is perfect for borders and cottage gardens, offering both beauty and utility.