Looking for plants that add color and cut down on weeding? You should consider a flowering ground cover. These low-maintenance garden beauties are the multitaskers of the plant world, offering a carpet of blooms with minimal fuss.
They solve so many common problems. A good ground cover fills empty spaces, suppresses weeds, and prevents soil erosion. And when it flowers, it brings a whole new layer of visual interest to your beds, borders, and slopes. Let’s look at how to choose and care for these fantastic plants.
Flowering Ground Cover – Low-Maintenance Garden Beauties
This category includes a wide range of plants, from sun-lovers to shade-dwellers. The key is selecting the right one for your specific spot. A plant that thrives will naturally be more low-maintenance because it’s happy in its conditions.
Top Picks for Sun-Drenched Spots
If your garden gets six or more hours of direct sun, these resilient options will perform beautifully.
- Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): This herb forms a dense, fragrant mat. It’s covered in tiny pink or purple flowers in early summer that bees adore. It’s also drought-tolerant once established.
- Sedum (Stonecrop): Many sedums are excellent ground covers. Try ‘Dragon’s Blood’ for red foliage and pink flowers. They store water in their leaves, making them incredibly tough in hot, dry places.
- Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata): A spring superstar, it creates a breathtaking cascade of color in shades of pink, purple, white, or blue. It’s evergreen in many climates and loves well-drained soil.
- Ice Plant (Delosperma): True to its name, it has daisy-like flowers that seem to sparkle. It’s a superb choice for sandy, poor soil and handles coastal conditions well.
Best Choices for Shady Areas
Brighten up those darker corners under trees or on the north side of your house with these shade-tolerant bloomers.
- Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis): A native woodland plant, it offers white flowers in spring followed by bright red berries. It prefers cool, moist, acidic soil.
- Vinca Minor (Periwinkle): Known for its glossy green leaves and charming periwinkle-blue flowers, it’s a fast grower. Be sure to check it’s not invasive in your region before planting.
- Lamium (Dead Nettle): Don’t let the name fool you. This plant has attractive silver-variegated leaves and produces pink or white flowers over a long period. It’s very adaptable.
- Wild Ginger (Asarum): While its spring flowers are hidden under the heart-shaped leaves, they are unique and worth the hunt. It forms a superb, dense cover in deep shade.
How to Plant for Success
Proper planting sets your ground cover up for a strong start. Follow these steps to ensure they thrive.
- Prepare the Soil: Remove all existing weeds and grass. This is the most critical step—if you skip it, you’ll be fighting weeds later. Loosen the soil and mix in some compost.
- Space Them Correctly: Check the plant tag for the recommended spacing. It might seem too far apart at first, but this gives each plant room to grow and fill in.
- Plant at the Right Depth: Dig a hole just as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the plant in, backfill with soil, and gently firm it down.
- Water Thoroughly: Give them a deep drink right after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
The Crucial First Season: Establishment Care
The first year is about encouraging roots to grow deep. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to help them get established. A layer of mulch around the plants will help retain moisture and continue to suppress weeds while they spread.
Keeping Them Low-Maintenance
Once established, these plants ask for very little. Here’s how to care for them with minimal effort.
- Watering: Most flowering ground covers are drought-tolerant. They typically only need supplemental water during prolonged dry periods after their first year.
- Fertilizing: Go easy. Too much fertilizer can cause leggy growth and fewer flowers. A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is usually plenty.
- Pruning or Trimming: A quick shear or mow (on a high setting) after the main bloom flush can often encourage a tidier appearance and sometimes even a second round of flowers.
Creative Uses in Your Garden
Think beyond just filling space. These plants are versatile design tools.
- Replace a Lawn: In small, tricky-to-mow areas, a flowering ground cover can be a beautiful, water-wise alternative to grass.
- Edge a Pathway: Soften the edges of a walkway with a low-growing cover like creeping thyme or sedum. It releases a lovely scent when brushed against.
- Cover a Slope: Fighting erosion on a bank is a perfect job for a spreading ground cover. Their roots hold the soil in place, and their foliage breaks the impact of rain.
- Underplant Trees and Shrubs: Instead of bare mulch, use shade-loving covers to create a living mulch layer that’s more attractive and ecologically beneficial.
Common Problems and Simple Solutions
Even tough plants can have occasional issues. Here’s what to watch for.
- Poor Flowering: This is often due to too much shade for a sun-loving plant, or too much nitrogen fertilizer which promotes leaves over blooms.
- Patchy or Thin Growth: The soil might be poorer than you thought. Top-dressing with compost can help. Also, ensure plants aren’t too crowded or competing with tree roots for water.
- Invasive Spreading: Some vigorous plants, like certain mints or ivies, can overstep their bounds. Plant these in areas bordered by hardscape, or choose a less aggressive variety from the start.
FAQ: Your Ground Cover Questions Answered
What is the fastest flowering ground cover?
For sun, creeping phlox or sedum can fill in quickly. For shade, vinca minor is a rapid grower, but be mindful of its potential to spread aggressively.
What flowering ground cover can handle foot traffic?
Creeping thyme is the champion here. It can tolerate light to moderate foot traffic and will release its herbal scent when crushed.
Are there flowering ground covers that bloom all summer?
Yes, though “all summer” often means long, repeated bloom periods. Look at hardy geraniums (like Geranium ‘Rozanne’) or some types of sedum (like ‘Autumn Joy’ for late summer).
How do I stop weeds in my ground cover?
The best defense is a thick, healthy planting. Proper spacing at planting time and a good mulch layer during establishment are your best tools to smother out weed competition.
Can I plant ground covers in the fall?
Autumn is an excellent time to plant in many climates. The cooler air and warm soil encourage root growth without the stress of summer heat, giving them a head start for spring.
Adding flowering ground covers is a smart strategy for a beautiful, easier garden. By choosing the right plant for your light and soil conditions, you’ll create a stunning, living carpet that gives back much more than it asks for. With a little initial effort, you’ll enjoy seasons of color and texture with very little ongoing work. Its a true win for any gardener looking to maximize beauty and minimize chores.