Ground cover plants play a crucial role in landscaping by covering soil, suppressing weeds, and retaining moisture, especially in full-sun positions. Beyond their practical benefits, many ground covers also boast attractive foliage and flowers, adding aesthetic value to garden borders. Whether you’re looking to fill in spaces between larger plants or create a low-maintenance landscape, selecting the right ground cover can transform your outdoor space.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): Known for its aromatic foliage and delicate purple flowers, creeping thyme is an excellent choice for sunny areas. It forms a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds and releases a pleasant scent when stepped on or brushed against.
Sedum (Sedum spp.): Succulent sedums are drought-tolerant and come in various colors and textures. They thrive in sunny locations and are valued for their ability to store water in their fleshy leaves, making them ideal for hot, dry climates.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia): With its vibrant yellow-green foliage that cascades gracefully, creeping Jenny adds a splash of color to sunny borders. It spreads quickly to cover bare ground and thrives in moist soil, making it perfect for edges of ponds or near water features.
Ice Plant (Delosperma spp.): Ice plants are tough, drought-resistant ground covers that produce colorful daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, yellow, or orange. They are well-suited to sunny, dry locations and are particularly striking when planted en masse.
Veronica (Veronica spp.): Veronica varieties offer spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. They are low-growing and spread moderately, creating a carpet of color in full-sun areas.
Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus): Similar to creeping thyme but with a softer, woolly texture, woolly thyme forms a dense mat of silvery foliage. It is highly drought-tolerant and adds a unique texture to rock gardens or along pathways.
Ajuga (Ajuga reptans): Ajuga, or bugleweed, features glossy foliage in shades of green, bronze, or purple, along with spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and spreads rapidly to cover ground effectively.
Choosing the right ground cover plants depends on your specific garden conditions and desired aesthetic. By incorporating these top choices suited for full-sun positions, you can enhance your borders with both functionality and beauty, creating a vibrant and sustainable landscape that thrives throughout the seasons.
