Interested in planting groundcover you can walk on? We have 15 of the best groundcover options that won't get crushed underfoot.
Meet 20 evergreen groundcover plants that are beautiful all year long. Some are suited to full sun, others are best for shade. Many also produce flowers.
Want to replace your lawn with a ground cover you could step on without damaging it? Discover the names of these Best Walkable Ground Covers!
Think of ground cover plants as the alluring, low-lying stars of your garden's show.
Want to skip the fertilizer and stop spending your weekends mowing? Here are the best low-maintenance, yet still attractive, alternatives to a grass lawn.
Dealing with drought conditions? These drought-tolerant ground covers can thrive in your yard with less water.
Ground cover plants look great, especially around the roots of trees. These shade-friendly examples are simple to grow and will add beauty to your yard.
Discover 2024's enchanting cottage garden ideas to bring timeless charm to your outdoor space. Start your transformation!
Barrenwort is a friendly perennial ground cover plant, slow-growing and drought tolerant, with glorious leaves and subtle flowers. See more tips for planting and caring for epimediums from the editors of Gardenista.
Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle) is a vigorous, evergreen mat-forming perennial with glossy dark green leaves and large lavender blue flowers from mid-spring to early summer. Borne over a long period, they continue to flower intermittently throughout summer into fall and are valuable for enlivening dark areas. The long, trailing stems root at the nodes as they go along the ground to form a dense carpet of rich foliage. Excellent for suppressing weeds, this vigorous periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used groundcovers.
Sweet woodruff herb was originally grown for the fresh smell the leaves give off and was used as a kind of air freshener. It also has some medicinal uses and is edible. Learn more about sweet woodruff
For lush ground cover plants with attractive, dense foliage and abundant, bright blooms, it's hard to beat Delosperma (Dell-oh-SPER-ma). Also known as ice plant for the shimmery appearance of its leaves and flowers, Delosperma is typically hardy from USDA zones 5-9. It forms masses of showy, daisy-like blooms for most of summer through fall in shades of pink, scarlet, orange, magenta, yellow and bi-colors. The blooms are highly attractive to bees, yet Delosperma is nicely resistant to deer and squirrels. Popular in drought-tolerant landscaping, it is also resistant to wildfires. Easy to grow, it is a pet-safe succulent and non-toxic to small children. So — do you need this pretty plant in your life? Sounds like it...
Hardy ground cover plants can transform a tricky bare patch into a riot of colour. See the best flowering groundcovers for Aussie gardens.
Learn just how easy Hellebore care is with these tips on planting, fertilizing, and pruning Lenten Rose (as well as some great varieties)
Ground cover plants offer a low-maintenance alternative to carpets of lawn. Learn about 15 of the best flowering ground covers now on Gardener’s Path.
Have you been searching for a ground cover plant to fill your lawn in and choke out weeds that is also low maintenance?
YAREENA™ Myoporum is a drought and frost tolerant ground cover plant that has crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers.
Shade perennials can be colorful and interesting. If you want to create a perennial shade garden, consider some of these great plants.
Bugleweed (Ajuga sp.) is a family of wild edible weeds that grow all over the world, and they make a tasty addition to salads. Though often considered a weed, it's quite beautiful, and grows in
The modern love affair with grass lawns is sunsetting. Lawns that produce food and demand less water are on the upswing as a result of numerous droughts, soaring food prices, not to mention awareness of the dangers of pesticides and GMO’s that stock the aisles of most markets. One way to add to add beauty […]
Reducing maintenance with a living mulch that creeps, blooms and froths.Foamflower in Bloom at Mt. CubaReplacing mulch applications with a "living mulch," a carpet of ground covers, will significantly reduce your garden maintenance and make you a greener gardener in the process. Living mulch, or plants, shade out weeds, help soils retain moisture and add habitat and flowers at the same time. One of the best living mulches for partial to full shade with average to moist soil is foamflower (Tiare
Creeping juniper is an evergreen groundcover that is perfect for filling in gaps in hard places like along hills or sidewalks. It also makes a great accent when paired with flowering shrubs.
Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle) is a vigorous, evergreen mat-forming perennial with glossy dark green leaves and large lavender blue flowers from mid-spring to early summer. Borne over a long period, they continue to flower intermittently throughout summer into fall and are valuable for enlivening dark areas. The long, trailing stems root at the nodes as they go along the ground to form a dense carpet of rich foliage. Excellent for suppressing weeds, this vigorous periwinkle is one of the most popular and widely used groundcovers.
Sweet woodruff herb was originally grown for the fresh smell the leaves give off and was used as a kind of air freshener. It also has some medicinal uses and is edible. Learn more about sweet woodruff
For lush ground cover plants with attractive, dense foliage and abundant, bright blooms, it's hard to beat Delosperma (Dell-oh-SPER-ma). Also known as ice plant for the shimmery appearance of its leaves and flowers, Delosperma is typically hardy from USDA zones 5-9. It forms masses of showy, daisy-like blooms for most of summer through fall in shades of pink, scarlet, orange, magenta, yellow and bi-colors. The blooms are highly attractive to bees, yet Delosperma is nicely resistant to deer and squirrels. Popular in drought-tolerant landscaping, it is also resistant to wildfires. Easy to grow, it is a pet-safe succulent and non-toxic to small children. So — do you need this pretty plant in your life? Sounds like it...
Hardy ground cover plants can transform a tricky bare patch into a riot of colour. See the best flowering groundcovers for Aussie gardens.
Learn just how easy Hellebore care is with these tips on planting, fertilizing, and pruning Lenten Rose (as well as some great varieties)
Do you have some blank areas in your landscaping? You need some fast growing ground cover plants that suppress weeds and grow quickly everywhere.
Ground cover plants offer a low-maintenance alternative to carpets of lawn. Learn about 15 of the best flowering ground covers now on Gardener’s Path.
This list of ground covers for shade is perfect if you don't have a lot of sunlight. Here you'll find lots of options for a low-light garden.
YAREENA™ Myoporum is a drought and frost tolerant ground cover plant that has crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers.
Check out these awesome Flowering Ground Cover Plants that you can grow in your garden with ease to add a dash of colors!
Shade perennials can be colorful and interesting. If you want to create a perennial shade garden, consider some of these great plants.
Bugleweed (Ajuga sp.) is a family of wild edible weeds that grow all over the world, and they make a tasty addition to salads. Though often considered a weed, it's quite beautiful, and grows in
They're so easy to grow!
Try some of these robust, low-growing groundcovers for shade or tough spots—wherever you need year-round coverage.
The modern love affair with grass lawns is sunsetting. Lawns that produce food and demand less water are on the upswing as a result of numerous droughts, soaring food prices, not to mention awareness of the dangers of pesticides and GMO’s that stock the aisles of most markets. One way to add to add beauty […]
Reducing maintenance with a living mulch that creeps, blooms and froths.Foamflower in Bloom at Mt. CubaReplacing mulch applications with a "living mulch," a carpet of ground covers, will significantly reduce your garden maintenance and make you a greener gardener in the process. Living mulch, or plants, shade out weeds, help soils retain moisture and add habitat and flowers at the same time. One of the best living mulches for partial to full shade with average to moist soil is foamflower (Tiare
Check out these awesome Flowering Ground Cover Plants that you can grow in your garden with ease to add a dash of colors!
Want to make sure you have a successful influx of creeping phlox flowers in your garden? Check out Gardener's Path now to learn everything you need to know.
Creeping juniper is an evergreen groundcover that is perfect for filling in gaps in hard places like along hills or sidewalks. It also makes a great accent when paired with flowering shrubs.
Erigeron karvinskianus, called Santa Barbara Daisy or Mexican Daisy, is a profuse bloomer and fantastic ground cover for warm climates.
Pachysandra almost mimics a lawn with the way it grows low and spreads nicely.
Paths and walkways are an integral part of every garden. They allow you to get from one place to another easily to maintain the garden. But paths and walkways don't need to be only practical; they can easily become decorative and beautiful. This can be done by planting interesting plants…
If you are looking for a vibrant way to fill up space in the garden, ice plants (Delosperma) are an easy to grow and prolific blooming ground cover option. Native to South Africa, these heat-loving perennials may draw a lot of attention in the landscape, but they thrive on some degree of neglect. They are fast-growing and produce continuous bursts of bright, cheery, daisy-like blooms that make lovely additions to rock gardens, borders, containers, and ground covers. These carpets of flowers are deer resistant and draw in the butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators. Follow our tips for growing and caring for ice plant ground cover and enjoy mounds of gorgeous color year after year! Ideal Soil Composition & pH for Growing Ice Plants These vigorous plants thrive in poor to average, well-draining soil. Soil that is sandy, gravelly, and dry is optimal for ice plants. They will not succeed in moist or dense, claylike soil. Aim for pH-neutral soil upon planting. Ice Plant Light & Temperature Requirements Ice plants crave direct sunlight and thrive in hot, dry conditions. Plant them in an area that receives a minimum of 6-8 hours of full sun. If they do not receive enough sunlight where they are planted, they will stretch their stems out in search of it, often causing leggy and nonproductive plants. Ice plants are easy and low maintenance, but they can be temperamental if the growing conditions are not optimal. Always check your ice plant variety for their recommended hardiness zones if you plan to grow the plant as a perennial, particularly if you are looking for a spreading ground cover. Overall, Delesperma is mainly grown as an annual plant in Zones 4 and 5 and will have a better chance for perennial life in Zones 6 through 9. Mulch them heavily in colder climates and stop feeding and watering in the fall for the best chance of overwintering. How To Water Ice Plants Ice plants are very drought-tolerant plants, and they need minimal watering. Assess the rainfall in your area and consider watering this low-maintenance ground cover only twice a month, more frequently if temperatures are really soaring. Cease any watering as fall approaches and allow them to dry out. This will protect them when a hard frost hits during the winter months. Plants that are not allowed to enter into a dormancy period may succumb to winter temperatures. Nutrients Needed for Growing Ice Plants Growing ice plants won't require much feeding. You might be surprised to learn that these vibrant and prolific bloomers can produce quite readily with no fertilization at all. Upon planting, it can be beneficial to mix well-decomposed compost with your native soil and add a slow-release organic fertilizer before placing the plants into the ground. Ice plants grown in planters may need more frequent feedings of fertilizer. Never fertilize the plant into the fall months, as the plant needs to wither a bit to protect itself for winter. Caring For Ice Plants: Pruning As the plant starts to awaken in mid-spring, inspect the plant for any dried-up or winter-damaged foliage. These areas should be pruned from the plant. Where to Grow & When to Plant Ice Plants Growing ice plants is best done in sandy and gravelly soil, so rock gardens are a great place to plant them. Ice plants make a dramatic statement on sunny slopes and hillsides. Plant ice plants in an area where you don't mind it spreading. It can be invasive and really take over. For best success as a groundcover, plant individual plants 15-18 inches apart. If growing as an annual, plant ice plants in a full sun container garden, where they will spill out over the planter's edges in a display of vibrant color. They also make excellent border plants. Get ice plants into the ground by mid-summer in colder regions, so plant root systems have a chance to establish themselves before winter. If you live in hotter climates, plant ice plants in the fall. Common Ice Plant Pests & Disease Ice plants are relatively pest and disease-resistant plants. The most common issues for ice plants are pests like aphids and mealybugs. Should you encounter these pests, they can be easily knocked off of plants with a strong spray of water from the hose. Recommended Varieties of Ice Plants to Grow Delosperma comes in a wide array of varieties that produce a large spectrum of vibrant colors that spread vigorously. Varieties are cold-hardy, provided they are allowed to dry out throughout the winter. Mix and match your plantings for a breathtaking rainbow of color in your landscape. 'Wheels of Wonder Hot Pink' – Produces an abundance of vibrant pink blooms. 'Jewels of the Desert Peridot' – Produces carpets of bright-yellow blooms and white centers. 'Red Mountain Flame'- Produces mounds of garnet red-colored blooms. 'Stardust' – Produces firework-like blooms of purple petals with white centers. Share The Garden Love
