Looking for a low-maintenance solution to cover slopes, fill tricky spaces, and block weeds naturally? Groundcovers and low-growing shrubs act as living mulch—choking out weeds, reducing erosion, and saving you time on mowing and maintenance.
Whether you're tired of fighting weeds, struggling with patchy hillsides, or just want a soft, finished look to your garden, groundcovers are the real MVPs of low-maintenance landscaping. These fast-spreading plants not only beautify your yard—they act like natural weed suppressors by forming dense mats that block light, shade out competitors, and cover exposed soil that weeds love to invade.
Why Choose Groundcovers To Block Weeds?
Groundcovers and low-growing perennials are more than just filler—they're functional, beautiful, and tough as nails. They:
- Outcompete weeds for space and nutrients
- Hold soil in place on hillsides and slopes
- Keeps you safe from needing to mow dangerous hills with power equipment
- Stay low and lush so there's no need to mow
- Add texture, color, and seasonal interest
- Supports pollinators and healthy soil biology
- Require less water once established
- Pair perfectly with mulch for extra weed-fighting power
And best of all? Many of these spreaders grow fast, so they'll fill in gaps and take charge of problem spots in just one season!
Top Weed-Blocking Groundcovers You'll Love
- Ajuga (Bugleweed)
This fast-spreading groundcover forms thick mats of textured foliage in shades of green, purple, and bronze. In spring, it sends up short spikes of blue-violet flowers that pollinators can't resist.
Best Use: Shade to part-sun areas, around trees, or in front of shrub borders.
- Cranesbill Geranium (Hardy Geranium)
Not to be confused with annual Geraniums, this hardy perennial spreads nicely without taking over. It delivers beautiful, dainty blooms in shades of pink, purple, and blue from spring into fall.
Best Use: Garden edges, hillsides, or under taller perennials where it can sprawl freely.
- Carpet Sedum (Stonecrop)
A succulent wonder! Carpet Sedums are drought-tolerant champs that form tight mats of colorful foliage, with starry blooms that attract butterflies.
Best Use: Dry slopes, rock gardens, or hot, sunny spots where other plants struggle.
- Creeping Thyme
This aromatic favorite forms a fragrant carpet that bursts into bloom with tiny purple flowers in the summer. It's tough enough to walk on and thrives in sun-drenched areas.
Best Use: Between stepping stones, along pathways, or as a lawn alternative in dry areas.
- Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Glossy evergreen leaves and soft periwinkle-blue blooms make this a go-to for shady spots. It's incredibly low maintenance and excellent at crowding out weeds.
Best Use: Under trees, in shaded beds, or trailing down embankments, over the sides of containers, or spilling over the tops of retaining walls.
- Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
A shade-loving evergreen with a tidy, uniform look. It's slow to establish but forms a weed-suppressing carpet once mature.
Best Use: Woodland gardens, north-facing foundations, or shady slopes.
- Liriope (Lilyturf)
Also called Monkey Grass, this grass-like perennial forms dense mounds of strappy green or variegated foliage and produces spikes of purple flowers in late summer. Tough as nails, deer-resistant, and thrives in sun or shade, but especially loves high-moisture soils.
Best Use: Along walkways, around trees, rain gardens, or as a low-maintenance lawn alternative.
- Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
This shade-loving perennial spreads quickly in moist, rich soil and features delicate white flowers in spring. It creates a soft, herb-scented mat that's pleasant underfoot. It is a natural weed blocker that doubles as a fragrant ground layer.
Best Use: Woodland gardens, shady slopes, or beneath deciduous trees.
- Lamium (Dead Nettle)
With its silvery foliage and bright pink or purple blooms, Lamium is a fast-growing beauty for shaded spaces. It fills in quickly and looks fabulous even where grass won't grow. Low-growing but vigorous—great for erosion control and suppressing weeds.
Best Use: Under shrubs, along fence lines, or in difficult shade gardens.
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea')
This chartreuse charmer spreads like a dream, both over the ground and in containers, and provides a bright, golden-green carpet that shines in partial shade to full sun. Rapid growth and weed-choking coverage, plus vibrant color for contrast.
Best Use: Hanging baskets, along water features, or trailing down slopes.
How to Plant and Care for Groundcovers for Maximum Coverage
Groundcovers are known for doing the heavy lifting in the garden once they're established, but getting them started right is key to long-term success.
Whether you're filling in bare patches, lining a walkway, or tackling a tricky slope, here's how to get the most lush, weed-blocking coverage from your groundcover plants.
- Prep the Soil First
Start with a clean slate. Remove any existing weeds or grass so your groundcover doesn't have to compete right away. Loosen the top few inches of soil and mix in some compost to improve drainage and jumpstart healthy root growth.
Tip: For extra weed suppression, you can lay down a biodegradable weed barrier between rows before planting. Though in some instances, this can cause more issues than it prevents, especially if you have soggy soil or moist, highly-organic soil that can lead to increased rot.
- Follow Proper Spacing Guidelines
Spacing depends on the variety and your patience. Closer spacing = faster coverage.
Here's a general rule of thumb for fast fill:
- Fast spreaders like Ajuga, Vinca, or Creeping Thyme: space 6–12 inches apart
- Medium growers like Hardy Geranium or Pachysandra: space 12–18 inches apart
- Slower spreaders or woody low shrubs: space 18–24 inches apart
Want quicker results? Plant in a staggered (zig-zag) pattern rather than straight rows to eliminate open gaps and achieve a fuller look faster!
- Water to Establish
Water deeply right after planting, and continue watering regularly until your plants are well-established—usually about the first 4–6 weeks. After that, most groundcovers are drought-tolerant and only need water during dry spells. We recommend using the Finger Test daily to check soil moisture.,
- Don't Forget the Mulch!
If your chosen plants are not overly aggressive or fast-spreading, a 3–4 inch layer of Arborist Wood Chip Mulch can help bridge the gap. Wood chips conserve moisture, smother weed seeds, and break down over time to enrich the soil—all while keeping your perennials and shrubs happy.
Plus, mulch and groundcovers make a dream team: one provides immediate cover, and the other grows into long-term beauty and weed control. The mulch helps block weeds while your new groundcover plants get established and begin to grow.
- Feed Lightly (If At All)
Groundcovers generally don't need much fertilizer. A light topdressing of compost in early spring can encourage growth without overfeeding.
- Trim and Tidy as Needed
Some fast spreaders may appreciate a light trim after flowering to encourage dense, even growth. This also prevents legginess and keeps the edges neat and tidy. Lower growing carpets can be mowed on a high setting to clean them in the late fall or early spring.
- Stay Ahead of Weeds at First
Until your groundcover fully fills in, keep an eye out for weeds trying to sneak in. A quick hand-pull or spot mulch will help your living mulch win the battle early on.
A Word to the Wise: Know Before You Grow
Many groundcovers are wonderfully vigorous, which is why we love them! However, some can be a little too enthusiastic in certain climates and conditions. Always check with your local County Extension Office to ensure your plant choice is suited to your area and won't become invasive.
At Nature Hills Nursery, we take that worry off your plate with our exclusive Plant Sentry™ software. It's built into our system to block the sale and shipment of any invasive species into restricted states—so you can plant with confidence, knowing your choices are safe for your local ecosystem.
Finish Strong: The Living Mulch Advantage
Groundcovers and low-growing shrubs are nature's answer to mulch bags and weed barriers. They fill the gaps, fight the fight against weeds, and bring year-round color and texture to your landscape—all while saving you time, money, and effort.
From sun-loving Sedums to shady Vinca, these hardworking heroes are the finishing touch your garden design has been waiting for. Whether you're taming a wild slope, dressing up a border, or just tired of pulling weeds every weekend, let groundcovers take the reins.
Plant once, let them spread, and enjoy a yard that looks great and works hard—for you and for the planet!
Happy Planting!
