Empty spots in the garden used to drive me crazy—until I found a few fast-growing ground covers that took care of them in no time. These plants spread quickly, look great, and make everything feel more pulled together.
I’ve also mixed in some favorite perennials that keep the color going long after the ground covers settle in. It’s a combo that works like magic for filling gaps and keeping things lively year-round.
Let’s go through some of the best picks to help your garden feel full and vibrant without the fuss.
1. Creeping Thyme
Ever stepped on a carpet of tiny purple flowers that released a wonderful scent? That’s the magic of creeping thyme! This low-growing ground cover spreads quickly between stepping stones and along pathways.
During summer, it bursts into a sea of purple, pink, or white blooms that attract butterflies and bees. Hardy in zones 4-9, it tolerates foot traffic and drought once established, making it perfect for sunny spots where grass struggles.
2. Sweet Woodruff
Under those shady trees where nothing seems to grow, sweet woodruff creates a lush carpet of star-shaped whorls of green leaves. Come spring, tiny white flowers appear above the foliage like a sprinkling of snow.
This fragrant ground cover has a vanilla-like scent when dried and was traditionally used in potpourri. It spreads quickly by underground runners in zones 4-8, filling bare spots under trees where other plants struggle due to root competition and low light.
3. Sedum
Nicknamed ‘stonecrop’ for good reason, sedums thrive in hot, dry spots where other plants wither away. Their fleshy, water-storing leaves come in fascinating shapes and colors from blue-green to burgundy and gold.
Low-growing varieties like Sedum acre spread rapidly to form a dense mat that chokes out weeds. These tough plants laugh at drought, poor soil, and neglect while still putting on a show of yellow, pink, or white star-shaped flowers that pollinators adore.
4. Ajuga
Also called bugleweed, ajuga transforms problem areas with its spreading rosettes of glossy leaves in deep green, bronze, or variegated patterns. In spring, spikes of blue-purple flowers rise above the foliage like miniature towers.
This vigorous spreader fills gaps between shrubs and perennials while suppressing weeds. Growing just 6-8 inches tall, it creates a dense carpet in both sun and shade, though it prefers slightly moist soil. Deer and rabbits typically leave it alone, adding to its carefree nature.
5. Creeping Jenny
Bright chartreuse leaves that seem to glow in the garden belong to creeping Jenny, one of the fastest-spreading ground covers available. Its round penny-shaped leaves form long trailing stems that root wherever they touch soil.
Yellow cup-shaped flowers appear in summer, adding more golden tones to this already colorful plant. Perfect for spilling over walls or container edges, it brightens shady spots and thrives in moist areas where other plants might rot, making it ideal near water features.
6. Vinca Minor
When faced with a slope that’s difficult to mow or plant, vinca minor offers an elegant solution with its glossy evergreen leaves and periwinkle blue flowers. This vigorous ground cover creates a dense mat that effectively prevents soil erosion.
Also called periwinkle, it blooms heavily in spring with additional flowers appearing sporadically throughout summer. Remarkably shade-tolerant, it grows happily under trees and shrubs where grass struggles, maintaining its good looks even during hot, dry spells.
7. Irish Moss
Not actually a moss but a tiny flowering plant, Irish moss creates the most perfect emerald green carpet you can imagine between stepping stones or in rock gardens. The dense, cushiony mats grow only 1-2 inches tall but spread steadily outward.
Tiny white star-shaped flowers appear in late spring, giving the impression of morning dew on grass. Unlike true moss, this plant needs moderate moisture and does best in part shade, though it can handle morning sun. Its soft texture invites touching and creates a fairytale-like atmosphere.
8. Lamb’s Ear
Soft, silvery leaves covered in fine hairs feel exactly like a lamb’s ear when touched, making this plant a sensory delight especially for children. The velvety foliage spreads to form a dense mat that effectively smothers weeds.
Tall spikes of purple flowers appear in summer, attracting bees and butterflies. Extremely drought-tolerant once established, lamb’s ear thrives in poor soil and full sun where many plants struggle. Its silvery color creates beautiful contrast against darker green plants in the garden.
9. Mazus
Only growing 2 inches tall, mazus creates a flat carpet that handles light foot traffic and fills spaces between stepping stones beautifully. In late spring, the green mat transforms with a profusion of purple-blue flowers with yellow and white markings.
This fast-spreading ground cover prefers moist soil but adapts to average conditions once established. Its low profile makes it perfect for the front of borders or along garden paths. During mild winters in zones 5-8, mazus remains semi-evergreen, providing year-round interest.
10. Pachysandra
When dealing with deep shade under evergreens or north-facing walls, pachysandra comes to the rescue with its ability to thrive where other plants fail. The glossy, toothed evergreen leaves form a dense carpet that effectively suppresses weeds.
Small spikes of white flowers appear in spring, adding subtle interest to this primarily foliage plant. Also called Japanese spurge, it spreads by underground runners to fill bare areas. Once established, it requires almost no maintenance and stays looking fresh year-round even in challenging conditions.
11. Coneflower
Reaching for the sky with daisy-like blooms in purple, pink, white, or yellow, coneflowers bring cottage garden charm and butterfly magnetism to sunny borders. Their distinctive raised centers provide landing pads for pollinators and later, seeds for hungry birds.
Native to North American prairies, these tough perennials laugh at drought and poor soil once established. They bloom from midsummer well into fall when many perennials have already faded. Left standing, their seedheads provide winter interest and food for goldfinches.
12. Hellebore
When snow still blankets the garden, hellebores push their way through with nodding, cup-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, and even black. These late winter bloomers, also called Lenten roses, provide the first color of the season.
Leathery, evergreen foliage remains attractive year-round, adding structure to shady spots. Extremely long-lived, hellebores form slowly expanding clumps that require almost no maintenance. Deer and rabbits avoid them due to their slightly toxic nature, making them perfect for woodland gardens.
13. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Unlike its ground-covering cousins, this upright sedum stands proudly at 18-24 inches tall with succulent blue-green leaves and flat-topped flower clusters that start pale green in summer. As fall approaches, they transform to pink and then coppery-red, lasting well into winter.
Butterflies flock to the blooms while the dried seedheads provide winter interest and food for birds. Extremely drought-tolerant, this carefree perennial thrives in poor soil and full sun. Its changing colors throughout the seasons make it a garden standout.
14. Coral Bells
Primarily grown for their colorful foliage in shades of purple, amber, lime green, silver, and nearly black, coral bells provide year-round interest in the garden. Their ruffled, veined leaves form neat mounds that look great even when not in bloom.
Delicate sprays of tiny bell-shaped flowers on slender stems appear in summer, attracting hummingbirds. These versatile perennials, also called heuchera, perform well in both sun and shade depending on the variety. Their evergreen or semi-evergreen nature means they maintain interest even in winter.
15. Russian Sage
Clouds of lavender-blue flowers on silvery stems create a dreamy, ethereal effect in the summer garden that lasts well into fall. The aromatic gray-green foliage of Russian sage remains attractive even when not in bloom.
Growing 3-4 feet tall, this woody perennial creates a shrub-like presence that needs no staking despite its height. Extremely drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in hot, sunny locations where other perennials struggle. Butterflies love the flowers while deer and rabbits avoid the aromatic foliage.
16. Dianthus
Spicy clove fragrance wafts from the frilly, often pink flowers of dianthus, also called pinks due to their pinked or notched petal edges. Their blue-gray foliage forms neat mounds that remain attractive year-round in milder climates.
These old-fashioned favorites bloom heavily in spring with repeat flushes throughout summer if deadheaded. Most varieties stay compact at 6-12 inches tall, making them perfect for front borders. Their drought tolerance once established and preference for lean soil makes them low-maintenance garden stars.
17. Baptisia
Resembling lupines but much longer-lived, baptisia sends up spires of blue, purple, yellow or white pea-like flowers in late spring above attractive blue-green foliage. After flowering, interesting seed pods develop that rattle in the breeze.
Also called false indigo, this native perennial forms a shrub-like clump that can reach 3-4 feet tall and wide. Extremely long-lived and drought-resistant once established, it requires almost no care. Its deep tap root makes it difficult to move but also helps it survive tough conditions.
18. Yarrow
Flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers in shades of yellow, pink, red, or white stand atop ferny, aromatic foliage that deer and rabbits avoid. These long-blooming perennials start flowering in early summer and continue for months if deadheaded.
Native to meadows and prairies, yarrow thrives in poor soil and drought conditions that would kill less hardy plants. The flowers dry beautifully for arrangements, while the foliage remains semi-evergreen in mild winters. Butterflies love the blooms, making this plant a wildlife-friendly addition to any garden.
19. Aster
Just when most perennials have finished for the season, asters burst into bloom with daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white. Their late summer to fall flowering period provides crucial nectar for migrating butterflies and bees.
Native to North America, these hardy perennials range from dwarf varieties at 12 inches to tall types reaching 4-5 feet. Most prefer full sun but tolerate part shade, especially in hot climates. Their star-shaped flowers (aster means ‘star’ in Greek) brighten the autumn garden when most plants are fading.
20. Ornamental Grasses
Graceful plumes, seed heads, and striking foliage in blue, gold, red, and variegated patterns make ornamental grasses all-season performers in the garden. Many varieties turn spectacular colors in fall, from golden yellow to burgundy red.
Winter brings another season of interest as dried seed heads catch frost and snow while providing food for birds. Most grasses need cutting back just once yearly in late winter. Their movement in the slightest breeze adds a dynamic element to garden design that few other perennials can match.