In Kentucky and Tennessee, ground covers can do more than just look pretty—they can also act as living mulch. I love how they help keep weeds down, lock in moisture, and add a lush carpet of greenery to the garden.
From low-growing herbs to hardy native plants, there are plenty of choices that thrive in this region. Picking the right ones can make your garden healthier and easier to care for all year long.
1. Creeping Thyme
Ever walked on a fragrant carpet that also keeps your soil happy? This low-growing herb creates a stunning purple blanket in summer that bees absolutely adore.
In Tennessee gardens, creeping thyme thrives in rocky areas where other plants struggle. Kentucky gardeners love how it stands up to light foot traffic while releasing its delightful scent.
2. Wild Ginger
Hidden beneath heart-shaped leaves lies one of nature’s best shade-loving ground covers. The unusual brownish-purple flowers peek out at ground level, often hiding under the foliage.
Many Kentucky woodland gardens feature this native gem for its ability to spread gently. Tennessee gardeners appreciate how it thrives under deciduous trees where grass refuses to grow.
3. Ajuga
Also called bugleweed, this tough little plant offers year-round color with its bronze-tinged leaves. In spring, spikes of blue flowers rise above the foliage, creating a magical carpet effect.
Kentucky gardeners praise its ability to grow in poor soil conditions. Throughout Tennessee, ajuga happily fills in those troublesome spots where nothing else seems to thrive.
4. Sedum
Drought-tough and surprisingly colorful, these succulents create a living tapestry that changes with the seasons. Their fleshy leaves store water, making them perfect for hot, dry spots.
Many Tennessee rock gardens showcase different sedum varieties for texture and interest. Kentucky gardeners love how they thrive in poor soil and slope plantings where erosion threatens.
5. Sweet Woodruff
Imagine delicate white star-shaped flowers floating above whorls of bright green leaves. This medieval favorite brings charm to shady corners while deterring weeds with its dense growth.
In Kentucky’s partially shaded gardens, sweet woodruff creates a lush carpet beneath trees. Tennessee gardeners treasure its light vanilla scent when crushed and its ability to brighten dark corners.
6. Moss Phlox
When spring arrives in Kentucky, this native stunner erupts in a wave of pink, purple, or white blooms. The needle-like foliage forms dense mats that cascade beautifully over walls and slopes.
Tennessee gardeners rely on moss phlox for controlling erosion on sunny banks. Its drought tolerance once established makes it perfect for those hot, dry spots where other plants struggle.
7. Partridgeberry
Native woodland magic comes in the form of this evergreen trailer with tiny white flowers and bright red berries. The glossy leaves form a tight mat only a few inches tall.
Kentucky’s shaded gardens benefit from partridgeberry’s year-round interest. In Tennessee, gardeners appreciate how it thrives in acidic soil under pines and oaks where other plants struggle.
8. Vinca Minor
Periwinkle blue flowers dot this vigorous evergreen ground cover in spring, creating a sea of color. Its trailing stems root as they spread, quickly filling bare areas with glossy leaves.
Throughout Kentucky, vinca thrives in those difficult spots between sun and shade. Tennessee gardeners value its ability to control erosion on slopes while requiring minimal maintenance once established.
9. Liriope
Often called monkey grass, this grass-like perennial creates neat borders and fills spaces with arching leaves. Purple flower spikes rise above the foliage in late summer, followed by black berries.
Kentucky landscapes showcase liriope as a problem-solver for tricky spots. Tennessee gardeners appreciate its tolerance of both sun and shade, making it versatile across different garden areas.
10. Pennsylvania Sedge
Looking for a native alternative to traditional lawn? This fine-textured sedge creates a soft, meadow-like carpet that requires no mowing. The delicate arching leaves catch morning light beautifully.
Many Kentucky woodland gardens feature this sedge in dappled shade areas. Tennessee gardeners have discovered it thrives in dry shade where traditional grass struggles to survive.
11. Dwarf Mondo Grass
At just 2-4 inches tall, this diminutive grass-like plant creates a dense, weed-resistant carpet. The fine texture adds elegance to garden edges and between stepping stones.
Kentucky gardeners love how dwarf mondo maintains its tidy appearance with minimal care. Throughout Tennessee, it’s valued for its ability to thrive in both sun and shade while creating a uniform, manicured look.
12. Creeping Jenny
Bright chartreuse leaves trail along the ground, lighting up shady spots like natural sunshine. The coin-shaped foliage creates a fast-spreading mat that fills bare areas quickly.
In Kentucky gardens, creeping Jenny softens edges of water features beautifully. Tennessee landscapers appreciate how it cascades over walls and containers, adding a pop of color to otherwise dull spaces.
13. Foamflower
Delicate white flower spikes rise above maple-shaped leaves in spring, creating a frothy display. This native woodland plant forms a semi-evergreen mat that suppresses weeds effectively.
Kentucky shade gardens showcase foamflower’s ability to brighten dark corners. Tennessee gardeners value its deer resistance and how it thrives in those difficult north-facing spots where options are limited.
14. Allegheny Spurge
The glossy, evergreen leaves form rosettes that spread to create a dense woodland carpet. White flower clusters emerge in early spring before trees leaf out, providing early nectar for pollinators.
Throughout Kentucky’s shaded gardens, this native pachysandra thrives where its Japanese cousin would struggle. Tennessee gardeners appreciate its resilience during summer droughts once established in woodland settings.
15. Green-and-Gold
Cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers float above fuzzy green leaves from spring through summer. This native spreader forms a semi-evergreen mat that effectively blocks weeds while attracting pollinators.
Kentucky gardeners cherish this plant for brightening woodland edges with minimal care. In Tennessee gardens, green-and-gold thrives in those tricky transition zones between sun and shade where many plants struggle.
16. Appalachian Barren Strawberry
Don’t be fooled by the strawberry-like leaves – this native ground cover produces yellow flowers instead of fruits. The semi-evergreen foliage forms a tight mat that effectively suppresses weeds.
Throughout Kentucky’s woodland gardens, this tough little plant thrives in poor soil. Tennessee gardeners value how it spreads gently without becoming invasive, creating a natural-looking ground layer beneath native shrubs.