Best Groundcover And Low-Growing Flowering Plants

Low growers, living mulch, ground cover plants, and low-growing perennials are the finishing touches for your garden. They fill bare spots, act like living mulch, and are landscaping must-haves for weed control, erosion control, and drought-tolerant beauty in full sun and shade.

Generally staying under 2 feet tall and growing far wider, ground cover plants and low-growing perennials ramble and spread as they grow. They embody many of the perks and benefits that arborist mulch provides for your garden soil, protecting larger plants’ root systems, cooling the soil, and adding serious style to that boring, plain area between or around your other plants.

Landscaping Uses

Types of groundcover

From the smallest and shortest growing varieties like the popular Vinca (Periwinkle) and a wide variety of creeping Sedum, to the taller varieties that are not just great groundcover, groundcover comes in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes.

There are extremely cold-hardy species like Dianthus (Garden Pinks) and extremely heat-tolerant Drift Groundcover Roses that seem not to stop blooming all growing season. Also fantastic facer plants like the long-blooming Hardy Geraniums and colorful Ajuga.

Unusual groundcovers can include Barrenworts for the shade and Hens-n-Chicks for dry sunny areas. Lilyturf is great for moist locations, or a Rush grass too. While not always the lowest growing, Ferns are always a lush option for shade and moist areas. Ivy is a great groundcover as well, but you’ll miss out on flowers. Creeping Thyme is a great carpeting herb that looks wonderful, blooms, and has highly aromatic foliage, too.

Weed blockers

Densely growing groundcovers naturally hold back weeds and prevent them from even growing by blocking the sun and preventing seeds from germinating, outcompeting weeds, and taking the nutrients and moisture from them. This stunts or outgrows weeds like the seedlings from trees, other types of lawn weeds, and weed grasses that need the sun and moisture to thrive.

Sedum like Sunsparkler or Angelina
Euonymus like Moonshadow, Emerald Gaiety or Emerald N Gold
Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge)
Mints
Periwinkle

Facer plants

Facer plants are smaller, low-growing shrubs or perennials that hide bare leggy stems of larger shrubs or add a fringe of color and leafy barrier around the trunks of trees. These buffers help not only hide those bare stems, but extend the flower display and add a layer of protection over the ground and around the trunks and stems so that mowers and weed-whackers do not nick and scratch the bark.

Coral Bells
Cranesbill
Catmint
Drift Groundcover Roses
Liriope Spicata

Living mulch

Acting like Arborist bark chips to reduce evaporation, break up compacted ground with their roots, stop erosion, and add a polished, professional touch to garden beds and around trees or shrubs, living mulch plants do a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Choose plants with fine-textured foliage that naturally spread and cover large areas without interfering with the root systems and growth of larger perennials and bushes as living mulch. Also known as a cover crop in the vegetable garden or in agriculture, some varieties add nitrogen and nutrients back into the soil.

Basket of Gold - evergreen with yellow blossoms
Golden Creeping Jenny
Carpet Phlox
Woolly Thyme
Creeping Red Carpet Sedum

Extended color and flowers

Long-lasting blooms add three seasons of color as well as all the benefits of a ground cover. Use around larger perennials or shrubs and extend your season of color while covering bare ground with these self-sustaining and easy-care plants.

Drift Roses
Blue Plumbago Plant
Vinca Major
Moonbeam Coreopsis
Wood Betony ‘Hummelo’

Slopes and hard to mow hillsides

Slopes and hills are difficult and even downright dangerous to mow and maintain. You also have to compete with erosion and water flowing down the hillside after a downpour. Groundcovers with spreading roots and trailing stems help lock soil in place while softening the look of steep grades.

Crispleaf Stephanandra Lace Shrub
Wintercreeper/Euonymus
Autumn Amber Sumac
Ground Hog Aronia
Silver Carpet Lambs Ear

Cold-hardy living insulation

Thriving in very cold winters and returning every year, these plants cover the ground throughout the growing season, and their fallen leaves blanket the ground all winter and provide a layer of insulation. Think of them as a cozy quilt for your soil when the temperatures drop.

Basket of Gold
Lambs Ears
Creeping Thyme
Dianthus
Dixie Chip Ajuga

Heat-tolerant moisture evaporation prevention

Bare ground can lead to moisture evaporation and allows the soil to heat up, leading to hot roots that can cause plants in warm climates to go into dormancy in the heat. This also leads to heat stress and even death for young plants. Spreading, sun-loving groundcovers help shade the soil surface and keep roots cooler.

Drift Groundcover Roses
Sedum Rubrotinctum
Big Blue Liriope (Lilyturf)
Rozanne Geranium
Bowles Periwinkle

Vines as groundcover

What climbs can also be groundcover, too. Just do not give vines something to climb on, and you will have a rambling, cascading cover over bare ground and slopes in a hurry. This is perfect for large areas where other plants are not growing and in areas where other plants cannot grow, such as under trees that cast dense shade. They are also perfect to let sprawl over swaths of land you are not ready to landscape yet. Just do not give them something to climb on, or they will do that instead.

Honeysuckle Vines
Climbing Hydrangea
Clematis - like Sweet Autumn Clematis
Variegated Vinca
Trumpet Creeper

Edging plants

Easing the transition between lawn and garden, edging and border plants are wonderful finishing touches that add something special to your landscape. Providing clean lines, color, and texture along the front edges of your garden beds, these mounding, clumping, and spreading low-growers provide that extra bit of oomph.

Mondo Grass
Creeping Thyme
Hosta
Daylilies
Dianthus (Garden Pinks)

Care & Maintenance

No one likes a bald or bare patch, and in drought-prone or hot sunny areas, that exposed soil can be detrimental. Groundcovers protect your soil, but they still need a bit of thoughtful care to establish and thrive for years.

Prep the soil well
- Remove existing weeds
- Loosen compacted soil
- Add compost so roots can spread easily
- Use well-drained soil for Sedum, Creeping Thyme, and other drought-tolerant plants
- Use richer, slightly moist soil for Lilyturf, some Ferns, and moisture-loving groundcovers
Watering needs
- Water new groundcovers regularly during the first growing season
- Reduce watering once roots knit together and plants become more drought-tolerant
- Mulch lightly the first year to hold moisture and suppress weeds
Seasonal maintenance
- Trim or shear plants after flowering to refresh tired foliage
- Encourage denser growth in Creeping Thyme, Catmint, and many Mints by lightly shaping them
- Remove weeds that sneak through so groundcovers do not compete for water and nutrients
Cold-climate care
- Many groundcovers die back on top but leave roots protected underground
- Fallen leaves and spent foliage add natural insulation in winter
- In spring, clear away old growth to make room for fresh foliage and flowers

Nature Hills has an enormous selection of low growers, flowering and evergreen, plus many groundcover shrubs and perennials to choose from. We are here to help you make the most of your landscape.

Groundcover That Has You Covered!

Groundcovers might be low to the ground, but they deliver high-impact results. From weed-blocking Sedum and lush Ferns to Drift Groundcover Roses and aromatic Creeping Thyme, these plants protect your soil, cool plant roots, and bring a steady stream of color and texture to your beds, borders, and slopes.

So cover that bare ground and add a finishing touch to your garden beds with some great, low-maintenance groundcover and low-growing flowering plants. Let these living carpets do the hard work for you and keep your garden looking sharp all season long.

Happy Planting!

Groundcover FAQs

What is the best low-maintenance ground cover?

Low-growing Ornamental grasses and Mondo grasses, Japanese Spurge, Sedum, and Periwinkles (Vinca) are very easy to care for and low-maintenance. Other options are Lady’s Mantle, and many gardeners have incredible luck with Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill) that comes back year after year despite the heat and extreme cold.

What are some deer-resistant groundcovers?

Deer can be a big issue, and planting a buffer between more tasty plants and the deer is sometimes an easy solution. Ajuga, Periwinkle, and the thorny branches of Groundcover Roses are great barriers and less appealing to browsing deer.

What is the fastest-growing ground cover plant?

Honeysuckle Vines and Hardy Geranium are very fast-growing, fast coverage groundcovers, gaining incredible length and spread each year. Periwinkle and Trumpet Vines are incredibly fast growers, too, but sometimes can get into a bit of trouble when not given the attention they need. Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry to ensure products get shipped into areas where they will not become a problem for you or your environment.

How far apart should I plant groundcovers?

Spacing depends on the mature spread of the plant and how quickly you want coverage. Many groundcovers are planted 12 to 18 inches apart. For very small or very spreading plants, you can move closer together for faster coverage or farther apart if you are willing to wait a bit longer.

Can groundcovers replace a lawn?

Some groundcovers can replace a lawn in low-traffic areas, especially drought-tolerant types like some Sedum, Creeping Thyme, and certain Ornamental grasses. They usually need less mowing, less water, and can offer flowers, fragrance, and soft texture, but they are not always ideal for heavy play or pet traffic like a traditional lawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best low-growing flowering perennials for the front of a garden border?

For front-of-border plantings, Hardy Geraniums and Dianthus (Garden Pinks) are excellent choices, staying under 12-18 inches while providing long-lasting blooms throughout the growing season. Drift Groundcover Roses offer continuous flowering in zones 4-11 and spread 2-4 feet wide, making them perfect for larger border fronts. Ajuga provides colorful foliage and spring flower spikes in partial shade, while creeping Sedum varieties work well in sunny, dry conditions. Plant these 12-18 inches apart in spring or fall for established coverage by the following season.

What USDA hardiness zones are suitable for most low-growing flowering perennials?

Most low-growing flowering perennials thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, though specific varieties may have narrower ranges within this spectrum. Cold-hardy options like creeping phlox and moss pink perform well in zones 3-8, while heat-tolerant choices such as lantana and portulaca prefer zones 4-10. Always check the specific zone requirements for your chosen plants, as microclimates and local conditions can affect performance even within suitable zones.

What soil preparation is needed for low-growing perennials such as heucheras or creeping thyme?

Most low-growing perennials like heucheras and creeping thyme require well-draining soil amended with 2-3 inches of compost worked into the top 6-8 inches of existing soil. Test your soil pH first, as heucheras prefer slightly acidic to neutral conditions (6.0-7.0) while creeping thyme thrives in alkaline soil (7.0-8.0). Plant in spring after the last frost date in zones 4-9, ensuring the crown sits at soil level to prevent rot. Water thoroughly after planting, then reduce frequency once established since both plants prefer drier conditions between waterings.

How often should I water new low-growing flowering plants during their first season?

Water new low-growing flowering plants deeply 2-3 times per week during their first growing season, providing approximately 1 inch of water weekly including rainfall. Monitor soil moisture by checking 2-3 inches deep with your finger – the soil should feel consistently moist but not waterlogged. In zones 3-5, reduce watering frequency as temperatures drop in fall, while zones 6-9 may need continued regular watering through October. Establish a consistent morning watering schedule to help roots develop properly before winter dormancy.

Are there deer-resistant low-growing flowering groundcovers suitable for my yard?

Yes, several deer-resistant low-growing flowering groundcovers thrive in most yards. Creeping Thyme forms aromatic 2-4 inch tall carpets with purple blooms that deer typically avoid, while Dianthus (Garden Pinks) stays under 12 inches and produces fragrant flowers that are naturally deer-deterrent. Ajuga is another excellent choice, growing 4-6 inches tall with colorful foliage and spring flower spikes that deer rarely browse. Plant these in spring after your last frost date, spacing them 12-18 inches apart for full coverage within two growing seasons.

What is the fastest-growing low-growing flowering plant for filling in bare spots?

Creeping Sedum varieties are among the fastest-growing low flowering groundcovers, spreading 12-18 inches wide in their first season while staying under 6 inches tall. These succulent perennials thrive in zones 3-9 and quickly form dense mats that bloom profusely in summer with star-shaped flowers in colors ranging from yellow to pink to red. Sedum establishes rapidly in full sun to partial shade and tolerates poor soils and drought conditions once rooted. Plant them 12-15 inches apart in spring for complete coverage by fall.

How do I prune or shear low-growing perennials like creeping phlox after flowering?

After creeping phlox finishes blooming in late spring, lightly shear back the entire plant by one-third to one-half its height using clean garden shears. This prevents the plant from becoming woody and leggy while encouraging fresh, dense growth for next year's bloom. In zones 3-9, complete this pruning by mid-June to allow sufficient time for new growth before winter. Focus on creating an even, mounded shape rather than cutting individual stems.

Can low-growing flowering plants like dianthus or hardy geraniums tolerate cold climates?

Yes, both dianthus (Garden Pinks) and hardy geraniums are excellent choices for cold climates. Dianthus are extremely cold-hardy perennials that typically survive in zones 3-9, while most hardy geranium varieties thrive in zones 4-8. These low-growing flowering plants stay under 2 feet tall while spreading wide to provide colorful groundcover that returns year after year. Plant them in spring after your last frost date for best establishment before winter.

When is the best time of year to plant low-growing flowering plants?

The best time to plant low-growing flowering plants is in early spring after the last frost date in your area, typically March through May in zones 4-8. Fall planting (6-8 weeks before hard frost) also works well as it allows roots to establish before winter dormancy. Spring planting gives plants a full growing season to develop strong root systems and abundant blooms. Check your local frost dates and plant when soil temperatures consistently reach 50-60°F for optimal establishment.

How do I control weeds around newly planted low-growing groundcovers?

When establishing new groundcovers, apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around plants to suppress weeds while the groundcover fills in over the first 1-2 growing seasons. Hand-pull any weeds that emerge close to young plants to avoid root damage, and spot-treat larger weedy areas with pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before soil temperatures reach 55°F. Once your groundcover achieves 70-80% coverage, it will naturally outcompete most weeds by blocking sunlight and monopolizing soil nutrients and moisture.

9 Great Low-Growing Flowering Plants