The 15 Best Ground Cover Flowers

Don’t let ‘trouble spots’ in your lawn and landscape get you down. Plant some of the best ground cover flowers to spruce up any area swarming with pesky weeds. Not only will they act as a barrier, covering the soil and keeping away weeds, but these babes will also add some seasonal beauty to your landscape and help with soil erosion control. 

Whether you’re looking for a showy lawn alternative or something new for your garden, these beautiful flowering ground cover plants can liven up any landscape.

1. Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis)

Canada anemone, aka Canada windflower, definitely packs a punch with its vibrant white petals and yellow middle sections. It’s easy to grow – just give it some moist soil and part shade – and is perfect for large colonies. Rumour has it that when the wind blows, you can see the white seeds spread across the landscape. 

Oh, and did I mention it’s a drought-tolerant plant? So, if you’re looking to add a splash of spring blooms to your yard without using too much water, give Canada anemone a go! Keep in mind, though, it can get quite aggressive and outcompete other plants. But if you can keep it in check, this hardy perennial is definitely a showstopper.

In the fall, if you’ve got a dense clump, don’t be afraid to divide it to speed things up and help the plants flower. 

Bonus tip: Cultivate Canada anemone from root cuttings taken in spring or, if you’re up for more of a challenge, from seed. Plant the rhizomes at least a foot apart and at a depth of half an inch for optimal growth.

If you like Canada anemone’s clean white flowers, check out these other ground covers with white flowers!

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 3 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Root cuttings
• Spread: via Rhizomes 
• ​​Duration: Perennial
• Flower color: White
• Mature size: 12 to 30 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Partial Shade – Shade
• Soil type: Sandy soils; Moderately moist
• Maintenance: If needed, divide plants in early spring to control the spread, and give plants occasional supplemental water during dry spells.

Canada anemone seed options:
– Everwilde Farms – Canada Anemone Native Wildflowers
– Elwyn – Canada Anemone
– Dichondra – Canada Anemone

2. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme – also known as ‘mother of thyme’ or ‘wild thyme’ – adds a subtle but special touch to rock gardens, pathways, and dry spots. It’s a low-growing perennial, woody evergreen with a strong, slightly minty fragrance and blue-green-hued leaves that will survive harsh winter weather. 

The tiny tubular bell-shaped blooms – ranging from deep pink to purple – will make an appearance on the upright stems sometime between June to September. If you’re looking for a plant that doesn’t need much maintenance and prefers average to dry medium moisture, consider planting creeping thyme. It won’t let you down!

Plus, it’ll serve as an ideal nesting spot and nectar source for bees and butterflies. Just make sure to prune those leggy woody stems to encourage new growth in the spring.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Seed
• Spread: Rhizomes 
• ​​Duration: Perennial
• Flower color: Pink, purple, blue
• Mature size: 2 to 6 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Partial Shade, Shade
• Soil type: Well-drained, Sandy, Rocky Soil
• Maintenance: Prune in spring, water moderately, and avoid over-fertilizing

Creeping thyme seed options:
– Dichmag – Magic Carpet Creeping Thyme
– Seed Needs, Wild Creeping Thyme Seeds
– 10000+ Blue Wild Creeping Thyme Seeds

3. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping phlox is one of those plants that don’t require a ton of fuss, yet it brings so much beauty and life to your garden. Whether in its classic pink, white, or purple hue or a combination of the three, this evergreen perennial makes for the perfect flowering ground cover option. 

Growing quickly and low to the ground, it’s the ideal plant to fill up your garden beds. And it’s not picky about the soil, though it likes humus-rich, well-drained soils and plenty of sunshine. 

Now, when it comes to when you’ll see creeping phlox’s delicate star-shaped flowers, that depends on the variety you choose. Generally speaking, you can expect them from early to late spring. And while it doesn’t need an abundance of water, make sure you water it during hot months for optimal growth and color. 

Trim it back after the blooms fade, and that’s it—your garden will look amazing!

Like the classic pink of creeping phlox blooms? You’ll also love these other ground covers with pink flowers!

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 3 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Root or stem cutting, and division
• Spread: Its stems can root in any spot they touch the ground, making huge swaths of foliage.
• Duration: Perennial, annual 
• Flower color: Pink, white, purple
• Mature size: 3 – 8 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil type: Well-drained, humus-rich, loam, sand, rocky soil
• Maintenance: Water regularly, remove spent flowers

Creeping phlox seed options:
– Greenwood Nursery – Red Creeping / Moss Phlox
– Blue Purple Phlox  
– 1,000+ Mixed Color Phlox Seeds

4. Ice plant (Delosperma cooperi)

Ice plant is a perennially blooming workhorse. It’s a tough low-maintenance ground cover plant that thrives in dry climates.

It’ll create a beautiful carpet of vibrant green leaves and bright watermelon-pink and purple daisy-like flowers over a long period of time. No matter the planting conditions, such as rock walls, xeriscapes, gravel gardens, and containers, ice plant will do great. Plus, its flowers can even withstand colder temperatures. However, remember that it does not like soggy soil and is prone to winter kill if the temperatures are too extreme.

Just make sure to plant it in well-drained soil, as this plant won’t tolerate heavy clay. For best blooming, give it a sunny spot and space the plants 16 to 24 inches apart. Toss in some gravel mulch to help the roots stay cool and hydrated.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 6 – 10
• Recommended propagation strategy: Root cuttings
• Spread: Seed
• Duration: Perennial, Annual
• Flower color: Pink, purple, yellow
• Mature size: 3 to 6 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil type: Well-drained, Sandy, Sandy loam, Gravelly soils
• Maintenance: Prune in spring for new growth; Mulch with gravel for best results; Water regularly during dry spells

Ice plant seed options:
– Outsidepride Red Livingstone Daisy Dorotheanthus Ice Plant
– Delosperma WOW (Wheels of Wonder) – Limoncello Ice Plant
– Sow Right Seeds – Ice Plant Flower Seeds

5. Rose coreopsis (Coreopsis rosea)

Rose coreopsis won’t give you a headache. This low-maintenance beauty is native to the northeast U.S. and really packs a punch with its sea of rosy pink and yellow blooms! Showy, fragrant, and oh-so-blissful, this clumping perennial flower is a source of delight for gardeners of all levels and ideal for ground cover. 

Give it full sun and moist, rich soil. Deadhead or shear during summertime for a neater look. If you want more blooms, divide in early spring – simple! 

And don’t forget the wildlife! This stunner attracts plenty of birds and butterflies, and it’s the perfect pick for borders, beds, and rock gardens. Expect an abundance of blooms from June through to September. Rose coreopsis is just what any avid fan of native plants needs!

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 3-8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Division or root cuttings
• Spread: Via rhizomes 
• Duration: Perennial 
• Flower color: Pink
• Mature size: 1-2 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil type: Well-drained, loam, sand
• Maintenance: Deadhead and divide in early spring; water regularly.

Rose coreopsis seed options:
– CHUXAY GARDEN – Coreopsis Rosea
– Kechondra – Coreopsis rosea  
– Dichondra New Fresh Pink Coreopsis rosea

6. Lilyturf (Liriope spicata)

When you hear lilyturf, the first thing that comes to mind should be the hardy, evergreen grassy clumps often used as ground cover. That’s precisely what this perennial does! Its evergreen leaves of green and yellowish-green make a great backdrop for its seasonal flowers.

Liriope likes light, moderately rich soil and an acidic environment with moist (not soggy) moisture levels. It won’t complain much if you plant it in the sun or partial shade, nor will it mind occasional drought or even heavy shade. And if that wasn’t enough, you can plant it near the sea, too, since it can tolerate salty air. 

It spreads quickly by means of its underground rhizomes and plants itself in no time at all, meaning it is one of the best choices for erosion control or landscape edging around your garden.

Lilyturf’s vibrant spikes of purple petals will add a cheery splash of color to your landscape, as will these other ground covers with purple flowers!

General characteristics: 

• USDA hardiness zones: 6 – 11
• Recommended propagation strategy: Seed or division
• Spread: Via rhizomes 
• Duration: Semi-evergreen perennial
• Flower color: Purple, pale lavender, or white
• Mature size: Up to 15 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial sun, or shade 
• Soil type: Dry to moist, well-drained
• Maintenance: Mow in early spring to remove dead foliage. Propagate by seed or division in spring.

Lilyturf seed options:
– QAUZUY GARDEN – Big Blue Lily Turf border Monkey Grass
– Super Blue Liriope 
– Pixies Gardens – ‘Silver Dragon’ Monkey Grass

7. Hosta (Hosta sieboldiana)

Hosta turns shady spots into lush oases of beauty and color. It stands out with big succulent olive, yellow, and chartreuse leaves and pretty white and purple flowers. Originating in Japan, it can reach up to 3 feet and spread quickly. Plus, it’s deer-resistant, so no worries about damage from nibbling creatures. 

When the cooler weather hits, move your hosta to a semi-shaded spot and give it some extra inches of soil. Firm the surface and make sure it’s moist but not soggy. In spring, give it a little fertilizer and enough water to keep it happy.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 3 – 9
• Recommend propagation strategy: Division
• Spread: By way of stolons
• Duration: Perennial
• Flower color: Lilac-tinged white
• Mature size: 2 to 3 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Partial sun, full shade
• Soil type: Clay, loam
• Maintenance: Watch for slugs and snails, and cut off stems regularly. Discolored leaves should be trimmed back to the ground. Propagate by division in early spring or late summer.

Hosta seed options:
– CHUXAY GARDEN Hosta -Plantain Lily Seed
– Great Shade Perennials – Hosta Lily Root 
– Hosta Sieboldiana ‘Elegans’ Seeds Perennial

8. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed is a perennial ground cover with a lot of character. Its showy purple flowers make a nice spring splash, while its dense mats of foliage can handle a range of conditions – from shade to sun, damp to dry soils, and even deer browsing. 

To showcase its beauty, you can choose from different cultivars with different flower and leaf colors. Growing it is a cinch: divide it in spring or fall or sow its seed. Fair warning, be mindful of where you plant it because of its tendency to spread aggressively.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 3 – 10
• Recommended propagation strategy: Seeds or division
• Spread: By way of stolons 
• Duration: Perennial
• Flower color: Purple
• Mature size: 4 to 8 inches tall; 2 to 4 inches wide
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial sun, or shade
• Soil type: Moist to moderately dry
• Maintenance: Divide plants when they grow too crowded in the spring or fall; propagate by seed.

Bugleweed seed options:
– Ajuga Reptans – Carpet Bugle Groundcover
– 30 CARPET BUGLE Seeds
– Ajuga Reptans Seeds – Bugleweed

9. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Candytuft is your ticket to a truly magical garden experience. This little beauty, part of the Brassicaceae family, will put on a wonderful show of white, yellow, or pink flowers. Enduring colder temperatures, it flourishes come spring and is a great nectar source for bees and butterflies. 

It loves well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight for the best results. Perfect for rocky or sandy gardens, it’s an evergreen perennial and a sub-shrub that makes an impact. Don’t forget the secret to a longer flowering season: trim it back by a third after the blooms have faded.

A note on color: Yellow candytuft varieties are rarer than other colors and may be difficult to find. For other sunny options, check out this list of more ground covers with yellow flowers.

General characteristics: 

• USDA hardiness zones: 3 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Stem cutting or seed
• Spread: It can create new roots by growing off its stems, making it an adventitious plant. The stems are then able to grow their own roots and, in turn, spread the plant.
• Duration: Semi-evergreen perennial, sub-shrub
• Flower color: White, pink, yellow
• Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tall, 6 to 35 inches wide
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade 
• Soil type: Moist but well-drained clay, sand, loam soil 
• Maintenance: After blooming, trim a third of the plant. In cold climates, mulch it for added protection. Divide plants every 3-4 years and propagate easily using cuttings.

Candytuft seed options:
– Greenwood Nursery – Live Perennial Plants – Candytuft
– Outsidepride Candytuft Wildflower 
– SmartMe – Candytuft White Evergreen Perennial Iberis Sempervirens

10. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

This flowering ground cover offers lush green foliage and long-lasting blooms. People often call it Myrtle or Vinca, but whatever you name it, its vibrant colors will spruce up any outdoor space. Better still, it’s evergreen, so you won’t have to worry about its colors fading away when colder weather hits.

This hardy species is happiest in partial shade, but you can also plant it in full sun if you regularly water it. Keep an eye out, though, because it can spread aggressively in warm climates.

Propagate it from tip cuttings of non-flowering stems in late spring, and it’ll put on a show from April to fall when its rich purple-blue hues will make your garden burst with beauty. But if you fancy something a bit different, white and blue options are also available. Try the Vinca minor ‘Atropurpurea’ cultivar for a classic purple, and you won’t be disappointed. If you’re interested in pure blue blooms, check out these other ground covers with blue flowers!

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Stem cuttings
• Spread: It spreads via arching stolons that root when they reach the tips
• Duration: Perennial 
• Flower color: Blue, Purple, White
• Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tall, 6 inches to 2 feet wide
• Sun exposure: Partial sun, partial shade, full sun 
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained, organic matter-rich, clay, loam, sand
• Maintenance: Water your periwinkle plant occasionally during dry spells. To propagate, snip off the tips of non-flowering stems in late spring or divide up during the growing season. Keep weeds at bay and mulch the area regularly until your ground cover fills in. Give a light feeding of complete fertilizer in spring.

Periwinkle seed options:
– Greenwood Nursery – Live Ground-Cover Plants – Vinca Minor
– 20 LIVE EVERGREEN Vinca minor Periwinkle Myrtle
– 50 Vinca Minor Periwinkle Vine

11. Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)

If you’ve ever wanted a flower with its own superpower, look no further than the gorgeous sedum. From its tight root system to its stunning blooms and drought-tolerant resilience, sedum’s got it all. With more than 250 species, this genus of succulent, herbaceous perennials offers a variety of shapes and colors. 

Whether you plant this rock gardener’s dream in a bed, border, rock garden, or vase, the look is guaranteed to make heads turn. Plus, they’re super easy to take care of! Poor soil, sunny or lightly shaded areas? Sedum won’t complain. 

Want to create a showstopper? Go for a mix of heights, from uprights for accent to rolling meadows. Most varieties boast tall clusters of purple, white, pink, or red blooms, but whichever color you choose, it’s sure to deliver vibrant color and texture. Low-maintenance and stunning? Talk about a win-win!

The most popular flowering varieties include:

• Sedum ‘Beach Party’ – offering rose pink flowers in yellow-green foliage with red edges. 
• Sedum ‘Brilliant’ – producing light pink flowers with a long stamen in light green foliage. 
• Sedum ‘Class Act’ – boasting deep, burgundy red flowers and dark green/rose-colored stems. 
• Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ – known for its deep raspberry pink flowers changing to rusty red. 
• Sedum ‘Matrona‘ – featuring pale pink flowers and purple-veined and purple-tinged leaves.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 3 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Seed, stem, or leaf cuttings
• Spread: Via stem rooting or rhizomes 
• Duration: Perennial
• Flower color: White, pink, red, gold, yellow (depending on the variety)
• Mature size: 6 to 24 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade 
• Soil type: Good drainage to very dry; clay, loam, sand, shallow rocky soils
• Maintenance: After flowering, prune plants to encourage fuller and sturdier growth. When plants are young, give them a good soak every week. When mature plants are not blooming, give them an occasional drink during dry spells. Give them some fertilizer if the soil is very poor. You can divide in early spring or late summer.

Stonecrop seed options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Sedum Purple Carpet
– Sedum Autumn Fire – Sedum spectable
– Sedum Seeds Showy Stonecrop

12. Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet woodruff, also known as sweet-scented bedstraw, is an attractive herbaceous perennial that delights with its sweet scent and delicate white flowers in early spring. It forms a dense ground cover, and with its bright green, narrow-bladed leaves arranged in whorls, it’s a great pick for adding a splash of color to the garden. 

It grows about 16 inches tall and prefers partial or full shade and moist soils, but it can manage with a bit of shade and drier conditions, too. A good way to propagate it is by division in spring or by taking cuttings in summer after flowering and rooting them in peat moss and perlite.

But sweet woodruff isn’t just a pretty face! It’s also used for a range of household purposes, such as:

• In Germany, its flowers are used to flavor young riesling (called Maiwein: May Wine).
• The leaves and stems provide a grey-green dye, while the roots a red one. 
• It’s also known as a natural insect repellent.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Division, or cuttings 
• Spread: Via rhizomes and seeds
• Duration: Perennial 
• Flower color: White 
• Mature size: 8 to 12 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Partial sun  
• Soil type: Moist, Clay, Loam, Sand, Chalk
• Maintenance: No pruning needed; plants should be divided when they become too large. Weeds can easily overtake them in moist soils, so keep a watchful eye on them.

Sweet woodruff seed options:
– 20 Sweet Woodruff Asperula Seeds
– Sweet White Woodruff – Galium odoratum
– Sweet Woodruff Seeds – Galium odoratum

13. Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Who could resist the irresistible sweet alyssum? This low-lying herbaceous plant, with its cheerful white, pink, and sometimes lavender blooms, adds a pretty burst of color to any spring garden. Not to mention, its irresistible sweet scent lures bees, flower flies, and even butterflies. Talk about the perfect companion for any garden!

What’s more, there are several different varieties of sweet alyssum to choose from, including:

• Snow Crystals
• Wonderland Series
• Rosie O’Day 
• Carpet of Snow
• Magic Circle

Sweet alyssum’s pretty petite blooms last from spring to summer or sometimes all year in gentler climes. While it loves full sun in cooler regions, a bit more shade in hotter climates is best. It boasts a neat package of gray-green, linear leaves at the base of countless star-shaped flower clusters.

Taking care of sweet alyssum isn’t too tough. All you need is lots of sun and well-drained soil. Keep it moist just enough – not too much, or you’ll risk root rot. To keep blooms coming, make sure you deadhead regularly. That’ll mean snipping off old flowers for fresh ones. Easy-peasy!

General characteristics: 

• USDA hardiness zones: 5 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Seed
• Spread: Seed
• Duration: Annual / Herbaceous perennial
• Flower color: White, pink, lavender 
• Mature size: 3 to 12 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Full sun or partial shade 
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained; loam, sand, chalk
• Maintenance: Provide your sweet alyssum plants with at least an inch of water every week.

Sweet alyssum seed options:
– Survival Garden Seeds – Carpet of Snow Alyssum Seed
– Outsidepride Alyssum Paletta Mix Spreading Ground Cover
– Outsidepride Lobularia Maritima Alyssum Sweet Drought & Heat Tolerant Wild Flowers

*Note: Alyssum can be invasive, so it’s important to keep an eye on it. In warmer climates, such as parts of Coastal California, it’s listed as an invasive species – it can take over if you don’t stay vigilant. To help keep it in check, you need to monitor its growth and take action if it starts to spread too much.

14. Coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea) 

Let’s get a bit of blush going in the garden with vibrant coral bells! An erect perennial plant native to the western United States, Heuchera sanguinea is renowned for its deep pink to red blooms and interesting heart-shaped or roundish leaves. It unveils a nectar-rich four-petaled flower in a beautiful deep hue, drawing plenty of hummingbirds and other pollinators. 

Considering its low-maintenance requirements, coral bells are a great garden pick. It’s a plant that will thrive in your garden with part sun to full shade and moderately moist soil. Plus, it tolerates heat and drought well, making it the ideal choice for the Southwest and other desert regions. 

Is your soil predominantly made of clay? No problem. Coral bells will tolerate most soils as long as they are well-drained. And even if you forget to water it, this evergreen is hardy enough to survive drought.

Pro tip: Heuchera sanguinea is easy to propagate and can actually be grown directly from seed. If you choose that route, be sure to sow untreated seed no more than an eighth of an inch beneath the soil. Keep in mind that these plants won’t flower until the second season of growth. But, if you opt for vegetative propagation, you can divide the roots in late fall or early spring.

General characteristics:

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8 
• Recommended Propagation Strategy: Seed, Division
• Duration: Perennial 
• Flower Color: Shades of pink and red 
• Mature Size: 8 to 10 inches tall 
• Sun exposure: Part sun, full sun
• Soil Type: Moderately moist, well-drained; Rocky soils, Clay tolerable 
• Maintenance: Water during dry spells and divide every 3 – 4 years.

Coral bells seed options:
– 500 Heuchera Firefly Seeds – Coral Bells
– 20 Heuchera Sanguinea Pulchra Seeds
– Outsidepride Perennial Coral Bells – Heuchera Firefly

15. Horned pansy (Viola cornuta)

Let’s wind it down with the ornamental and cheerful horned pansy – a versatile, low-maintenance flower with lots of charm. One of the best features of the horned pansy is its lovely, intricate shapes combined with a vast array of colors, including white, yellow, purple, and blue. 

It is not as invasive as periwinkle or sweet alyssum, making it easier to control in your garden. Generally, it grows from three to nine inches tall and prefers partial or full shade as well as moist yet well-drained soil. In warmer climates, it may need more shade and protection from the scorching summer sun.

In mid-to-late spring, the blooms open up with their signature two-toned petals and will bloom until late summer. Apply a bit of organic mulch in the fall to protect against cold temperatures. Plus, be sure to deadhead the spent blooms for continual bloom throughout the season. Though the blooms may steal the show, we can’t forget to mention the ornamental foliage, which adds a lush, cheerful vibe to any garden.

General characteristics: 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 – 11
• Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division 
• Duration: Annual, Perennial
• Flower Colors: Blue, violet, lavender, yellow, white 
• Mature Size: 4 to 9 inches tall
• Sun exposure: Partial Sun, Part Shade 
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained, high in organic matter 
• Maintenance: Water regularly and apply mulch in the fall for protection. Deadhead throughout the season to promote continual bloom. Divide the plants every 2 – 3 years to ensure vigorous blooms.

Horned pansy seed options:
– Seed Needs, King Henry Viola Seeds
– Seed Needs, Helen Mount Johnny Jump Up Viola Seeds
– MySeeds.Co Big Pack – Johnny Jump Up Flower Seeds

Best tips and tricks for flower-filled groundcover

Want to make your landscape stunning with minimal effort? Ground covers as grass alternatives offer an array of possibilities for high-impact designs with a lower cost and lower maintenance needs than turfgrass. But how can you create that flower-filled and textured effect? Here are some top tips for creating gorgeous flowering ground cover combinations: 

Keep plant scale and spread in mind – Think carefully about how much space your plants will take up. Creeping perennials can spread quickly and take over, so give them more room and mix them with clumping plants.

Consider sunlight requirements – Sun-loving plants will need at least six hours, while shade-lovers should get no more than three to six. To keep your plants thriving, make sure you choose wisely based on where you want to plant them! And keep in mind that too much sun can cause flowers to fade and die faster. 

Pay attention to texture and colors – Ground cover landscapes rely on texture for their visual appeal, so consider that when putting together a combination. Variety in texture adds excitement to a scene and offers contrast when bringing different plants together. Look for complementary textures in the form of fuzzy leaves, scalloped edges, pointed sections, and more. 

You can also combine flowering plants with non-flowering varieties for added interest.

Then, create a unified look by choosing shades of the same color for a harmonious result, or use a bold accent to create contrast. Complementary colors can add drama, while monochrome schemes are ideal for a calming effect.

Flowering combination tip – When mixing flowering and non-flowering ground covers, try to balance bloom times for coordinated blooms throughout the year. Pairing ground covers with different flowering periods keeps your landscape colorful throughout the year.

Plus, rather than repeating the same low-growing plants, consider adding some dramatic contrast with ornamental grasses or taller plants, such as:

• Mondo grass
• Dead nettle
• Lupines
• Pachysandra
• Lamb’s ear 

These will rise above the rest and add height to the garden.

Be mindful of invasiveness – Some plants are considered to be overly invasive, so it’s essential to research before selecting a ground cover. Pay attention to the labels, restrictions, and advice from your local nursery to keep your area safe. Every region has specific plants that are unsuitable, so consult a local landscaping pro or nursery employee to make sure you don’t choose a plant that’s invasive in your area.

FAQ about ground cover flowers

Final Thoughts

While turfgrass is the go-to for most folks, ground cover flowers can give your outdoor space a colorful, textured look without all the fuss. Not to mention, these plants help block out pesky weeds, retain water, and can even offer a home for local wildlife. 

But before you start planting, it’s essential to think about size, spread, and what colors will work best together. If that seems like a lot to tackle, you can always get some expert advice from a pro gardener in your area. With the right combo, you can easily have a garden that will absolutely stun without spending too much time or energy.

Main Photo Credit: 1Photodiva | Canva Pro | License

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