13 Ground Covers With Purple Flowers

Purple is the color of sophistication and mystery, and it’s no surprise why many gardeners are captivated by its intoxicating hues. From the vibrant violets of pansies to the royal richness of speedwell, there’s a variety of flowering ground covers with purple flowers that can replace your lawn with something that’s not just more interesting to look at but easier to take care of and better for the environment, too. 

Whether you’re looking for something low-maintenance or eye-catching, here are some of the best ground covers with purple flowers to add to your landscape.

1. Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)

Magic and subtle, creeping phlox is the perfect flowering ground cover for adding an accent of purple to your garden. This hardy perennial reaching up to eight inches high features fragrant tiny flowers that come in shades of violet and lavender and will bloom from spring to summer. The foliage is soft and luscious, making it a great ground cover for softening any hardscape while still keeping a neat look. 

Plus, it’s a wonderful plant for holding in soil on slopes and helping prevent erosion. And unlike other plants that can’t tolerate foot traffic, this beautiful evergreen is resilient enough to hold up to some extra walk-bys. 

It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained, acidic soil. It also puts up with some drought but doesn’t like to be too dry, especially during its establishment period. Beware, though, it can become a bit weedy in the right conditions, and slugs can be a problem in wet areas. Creeping phlox will also require deadheading to prevent powdery mildew disease.

General characteristics: 

• USDA hardiness zones: 5 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Stem cuttings, division
• Spread: By stolons
• Duration: Perennial, woody
• Mature size: Height 3 – 8 inches tall, width 9 inches – 2 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial sun 
• Soil type: Moist but well-drained chalk, sand, loam 
• Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.0
• Bloom time: Spring, late summer (April-August)
• Maintenance: Low; water regularly during periods of drought; fertilize in early spring with slow-release fertilizer; trim off dead flowerheads to promote new blooms
• Spacing: 10 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer, Rabbit

Purple creeping phlox seed options:
– Green Promise Farms Store – Creeping Phlox
– Creeping Phlox Perennial Purple Flower
– Mndrlin – Purple Phlox

2. Horned pansy (Viola cornuta)

Little gems of whimsy with a royal vibe, horned pansies are beautiful and tough. Huddled on the ground in tufts of two-tone small petals, the short-stalked flowers can stay in bloom from spring to late summer. Blooms can range from deep purple to blues and yellows, depending on the cultivar. 

For instance, Viola ‘Celestial Midnight’ boasts deep purple flowers with yellow throats. On the lighter side, Viola odorata and Viola ‘Celestial Blue Moon’ are lovely lilac and subtle blues. 

Interested in the horned pansy’s blue and yellow shades? See more like them in these lists of ground covers with blue flowers and ground covers with yellow flowers, and you can expand your garden to cover the whole rainbow!

Horned pansies have a delicate scent that adds a special touch. Moreover, you don’t need to be a master gardener to maintain these ground cover plants.

Pro tips:

• Horned pansies prefer well-draining soils in full sun to part shade.
• To discourage weeds, mulch around the base of the plant.
• Deadheading wilted blooms can stimulate new buds to appear.
• Slugs and snails can be problematic in humid environments, so you may want to use snail pellets, preferably organic.

General characteristics:

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 – 11
• Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division 
• Spread: By creeping stems
• Duration: Annual, Perennial
• Mature size: Height 4-10 inches, width up to 12 inches
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil type: Humus-rich, moist, well-drained clay, sand, loam
• Soil pH: 6 – 6.5
• Bloom time: Early spring to late summer (March-August)
• Maintenance: Water regularly; deadhead spent blooms for possible re-blooming; prune to encourage new buds; mulch for extra moisture; deter weeds
• Spacing: 10 inches – 1 foot apart
• Tolerate: Deer
• Attracts: Bees and Butterflies

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

3. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme is beloved by gardeners and wildlife alike, and not without reason. Its gentle, herbaceous aroma and carpet of purple flowers provide a fragrant backdrop come summertime, while its silver-green foliage looks great year-round. It’s the ideal plant for any outdoor space, from a magical flowerbed to the space between pavers.

Best of all, it only grows three inches high and can even take light foot traffic, so it’s the perfect alternative for turfgrass without the hassle of mowing. Plus, its sweet-smelling blooms are sure to delight butterflies and bees.

Pro tips:

• Creeping thyme likes well-draining, slightly alkaline soil and plenty of full sun.
• Trimming back your thyme will help to keep it from getting too woody.
• For even better flowering, apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
• To encourage new growth, prune in early spring and then again after the blooms die back at the end of summer.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Seed, division
• Spread: Rhizomes 
• ​​Duration: Perennial, woody
• Mature size: Height 2 to 3 inches, width up to 10 inches
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil type: Well-drained, Loam, Sandy, Rocky Soil
• Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.5
• Bloom time: Summer (June-September)
• Maintenance: Prune once in spring and again in fall, water moderately, and avoid over-fertilizing
• Spacing: About 15 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer, rabbit
• Attracts: Bees and Butterflies

Creeping thyme seed options:
– Dichmag – Magic Carpet Creeping Thyme
– Seed Needs Store – Wild Creeping Thyme
– ‘Elfin’ Thyme Grow Kit Flower Propagation Material

4. Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spicata)

Creeping lilyturf adds a sense of drama to the outdoors with its bold ornamental grass-like foliage and deep purple flower spikes. Though it’s evergreen, the lightly striped leaves of this ground cover shrub will turn a brilliant yellow in cooler winters. 

The deep purple blooms, similar to flowery lavender spikes, rise just above the foliage in early summer and last until late fall. It can grow up to eighteen inches tall and spread quickly, making it an ideal ground cover for dry, shady spots where nothing else will grow.

Lityturf is not diva-ish when it comes to maintenance. This drought-tolerant ground cover is quite tolerant of poor soils and is relatively drought-resistant, though it does prefer clay soil. Its rhizomes can spread quickly under favorable conditions, so it’s best to keep an eye on it or restrict its growth with edging. 

Pro tips:

• Water creeping lilyturf deeply and infrequently.
• Fertilize in early spring with a 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer.
• Trim back each year to remove any old or wilted leaves.
• Mulch deeply to retain moisture and inhibit weed growth.
• It’s also a great choice for erosion control on banks or slopes, as its rhizomatous nature will help to stabilize the soil. 

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 10
• Recommended propagation strategy: Seed, division
• Spread: Rhizomes 
• ​​Duration: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature size: Height 10 inches – 2 feet, width up to 2 feet
• Sun exposure: Full shade, partial sun
• Soil type: Well-drained, Loam, Sandy
• Soil pH: 6 – 7
• Bloom time: Mid-summer, early fall (July-September)
• Maintenance: Water moderately; mulch deeply; trim back occasionally
• Spacing: Between 15 and 20 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer, rabbit

Creeping lilyturf seed options:
– QAUZUY GARDEN – Lilyturf Liriope Muscari
– Florida Foliage – Super Blue Liriope
– Pixies Gardens – Liriope Spicata ‘Silver Dragon’ Monkey Grass

5. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Compellingly colorful and quick-carpeting, bugleweed is perhaps one of the most adored shade-loving plants you can find. Spreading rapidly, it carpets the ground with glossy green foliage, often punctuated with scalloped leaves. The glossy leaves become blanketed by short spikes of vivid blue or violet flowers in late spring to early summer.

It’s right at home in wooded areas, rock gardens, borders, and banks. Low enough to be a good ground cover but also robust enough to pop up in nooks and crannies, it can fill almost any space. Remember, it’s not only beautiful but also relatively tough. It thrives in medium-moisture, well-drained soils and can tolerate partial sun with adequate moisture and humus in the soil.

Pro tips:

• Avoid placing it in overly erosive areas.
• Plant in an area where it’s not likely to take over a lawn or other plantings.
• Allow some space between the plants so they don’t become overcrowded. 
• Pruning twice a year will help control its spread.
• Air circulation is essential, especially in humid areas.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Seed, division
• Spread: Stolons
• ​​Duration: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature size: Height 4 inches – 2 feet, width 6 inches – 2 feet
• Sun exposure: Full shade, partial sun 
• Soil type: Moist, Well-Drained, Loam, Sandy, Clay
• Soil pH: 4.5 – 6.5
• Bloom time: Late spring, early summer (May-June)
• Maintenance: Water regularly; deadhead spent blooms for possible re-blooming; prune to encourage new buds; mulch for extra moisture and to deter weeds
• Spacing: 10 – 15 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer, rabbit
• Attracts: Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators

Bugleweed seed options:
– FTG Goods – Carpet Bugle Groundcover
– Ajuga Reptans Groundcover
– Ajuga Reptans, Bugleweed

6. Spotted dead nettle (Lamium maculatum)

Bringing a pop of color to your garden, the spotted dead nettle is a hardy perennial with white, pink, and purple blooms, depending on the variety. Native to European and Asian regions, it belongs to the mint family and, despite its name, won’t give you a nasty sting like its stinging nettle cousins.

This evergreen plant typically features heart-shaped leaves with silver-grey markings, creating an eye-catching ground cover. Plant it en masse for maximum effect, especially in drier shade gardens. It’ll happily thrive in sunnier spots, too, as long as the soil is well-draining. 

You can look forward to a long flowering period that starts mid-spring and continues through to fall – a sight that’s sure to bring a smile to your face. But before you get started, stay cautious: although it’s a beauty to behold, the spotted dead nettle can be highly invasive. So do your research and double-check with your local extension office before planting.

Pro tips:

• Thin out the dead nettle as needed when it begins to outgrow its bounds.
• It’s best to trim the foliage back in late fall or early spring.
• Edge the bed to keep down on the spread.

A note on color: Are you more interested in the pink and white varieties of spotted dead nettle? You’ll love these other ground covers with pink flowers and ground covers with white flowers. 

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Division, Cuttings
• Spread: By runners
• ​​Duration: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature size: Height 6-9 inches, width 12-24 inches
• Sun exposure: Full shade, partial sun 
• Soil type: Moist, Well-drained, Loam, Sandy, Clay, Chalk
• Soil pH: 6 – 7
• Bloom time: Blooms appear in early to late spring and continue into fall (March-June, September)
• Maintenance: Divide and replant every few years; light trimming to remove any old or dying leaves; mulch for extra moisture and to deter weeds
• Spacing: 6 – 10 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer, rabbit

Spotted dead nettle seed options:
– Palm Beach Medicinal Herbs – Purple Dead-Nettle
– HostaKing – Lamium Purple Dragon Dead Nettle Starter
– Green Promise Farms – Lamium ‘Orchid Frost’, Deadnettle

7. Royal candles (Veronica spicata)

Do you fancy a garden full of majestic blooms? If so, you can’t go wrong with royal candles – they’re like heavenly gems right in your backyard. A tall and bushy ground cover, royal candles, known also as spike speedwell, boast beautiful spikes of cheerful violet-blue blooms from late spring to early summer. Not only do the blooms show up early, but the foliage stays lush all season long. 

These beauties need plenty of sun and moist, well-draining soil for best results. With consistent watering and pruning, they can reach up to 12” in height and 15” in width. So whether you want to create an impressive border or use them to spruce up your patio, they’ll make an excellent addition to any outdoor space.

Pro tips:

• Royal candles prefer full sun but can tolerate light shade.
• Keep the soil consistently moist for best results.
• Prune spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 3 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Division
• Spread: Non-spreading habit
• ​​Duration: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature size: Height up to 12 inches, width up to 15 inches
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained, loam
• Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.2
• Bloom time: Summer (June-August)
• Maintenance: Divide and replant every few years; remove spent flower spikes to encourage continual bloom; prune regularly to maintain shape; provide adequate water and mulch to help retain moisture.
• Spacing: 15 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer, rabbit
• Attracts: Butterflies

Royal candles seed options:
– Outsidepride Store – Veronica Spiked Speedwell
– Seedville – Mixed Colors Veronica Spicata Flower Seeds
– Outsidepride – Veronica Speedwell

8. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

A classic perennial favorite for gardeners, the periwinkle is a low-growing, trailing plant with broad, deep green foliage. From early spring into summer and intermittently throughout the rest of the year, it produces five-petal blooms in shades of lavender blue. 

Native to Europe, this robust evergreen ground cover is perfect for controlling weeds, stabilizing slopes and erosion, and filling in the gaps under and around shrubs.

Periwinkle is a survivor – it’s tough, drought and heat tolerant, and can handle pretty much any light conditions, from full sun to shady spots. Though, for best results and maximum flowering, you should place it in an area with direct sunlight. Growing up to 4-6″ in height and 18″ in width, its spread is quick and vast, so keep an eye on its invasive potential.

Pro tips: 

• To propagate, divide in spring or autumn and take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
• It spreads rapidly, so it’s best to keep it away from lawns and other plants.
• When planting this low-maintenance ground cover, remember that it needs to be spaced out. Plant each one about one foot apart.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 9
• Recommended propagation strategy: Division, semi-hardwood cuttings
• Spread: By runners
• ​​Duration: Perennial
• Mature size: Height 4-6 inches, width up to 2 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial sun, shade
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained, loam, sand, clay
• Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5 
• Bloom time: Spring, summer (March, June, sometimes into September)
• Maintenance: Trim what you don’t want to keep and water regularly.
• Spacing: 10 – 15 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer
• Attracts: Butterflies

Periwinkle seed options:
– Greenwood Nursery Store – Vinca Minor + Lesser/Dwarf Periwinkle
– Vinca minor Periwinkle Myrtle Ground Cover
– Vinca Minor Periwinkle Vine Clumps

9. Ice plant (Delosperma spp.)

Ice plant packs a wallop with its magenta daisy-like blooms and succulent foliage. As an evergreen perennial groundcover, this tough little mate is a pro at dazzling you with its intense, deep purple-pink color all summer long and beyond. It’s like a carpet of light-green fleshy leaves covered with a bonanza of big beautiful flowers.

Perky and heat-loving (ironically), the ice plant thrives in dry, sunny gardens the best and can bravely withstand even colder temperatures. Plus, deer won’t mess with it! And forget all that fuss – this gal’s low-maintenance and doesn’t require much in the way of TLC. All you need to do is give it well-drained soil and a good soaking once in a while.

Pro tips:

• Ice plants need full sun, dry soil, and excellent year-round drainage.
• Space multiple plants about one foot apart, but get ready – they’ll quickly spread to fill in the empty spaces.
• Cut out any winter-killed stems in the spring, and don’t over-fertilize. 
• Mulch with an organic material like straw in colder climates to protect it during the winter.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 6 – 10
• Recommended propagation strategy: Division, self-seeding
• Spread: Seed
• ​​Duration: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature size: Height 3-6 inches, width 1-2 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil type: Dry, well-drained sand
• Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0 
• Bloom time: Spring, summer, fall (March-September)
• Maintenance: Water occasionally in summer and prune in the spring.
• Spacing: 15-18 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer
• Attracts: Butterflies

Ice plant seed options:
– alphauction – Delosperma Purple Ice Plant Flower
– Hardy Ice Plant Seeds
– alphauction – Delosperma Purple Ice Plant Perennial

10. ‘Sweet Heidy’ cranesbill (Geranium ‘Sweet Heidy’)

‘Sweet Heidy’ cranesbill or geranium is one-of-a-kind, boasting beautiful, multicolored blooms that range from pink to purple with white centers. It’s full of character and practicality, and its lush green foliage and bowl-shaped blooms will brighten your landscape from early to late summer.

For optimal success, ensure that ‘Sweet Heidy’ cranesbill is planted in sunny spots (though a bit of shade is okay, too) and well-drained soils. To top it off,  these ground covers behave admirably in any soil type and are generally low-maintenance – but watch out for occasional powdery mildew.

Pro tips:

• Divide and replant ‘Sweet Heidy’ cranesbill in the spring for thicker coverage.
• Spread an organic mulch over the plant to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Cut back the plant in late summer to encourage new growth.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 5 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Division, stem cuttings
• Spread: By above-ground runners
• ​​Duration: Perennial
• Mature size: Height up to 12 inches, width up to 20 inches
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained sand, chalk, loam, clay
• Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 
• Bloom time: Summer, fall (June-September)
• Maintenance: Remove flowered stems and dead leaves; mulch regularly; occasional light pruning
• Spacing: 12-18 inches apart
• Tolerate: Deer, rabbit
• Attracts: Butterflies

‘Sweet Heidy’ cranesbill seed options:
– MITRAEE – cranesbill Geranium Flower
– Hardy Geraniums
– Geranium Subcaulescens ‘Giuseppii’

11. Dalmatian bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana)

Lovely and vibrant, the Dalmatian bellflower is an easy-to-grow, delightfully low-maintenance perennial that can fill in rock gardens or line pathways with its lavender bell-shaped blooms and deep green leaves.

Growing up to one foot tall and spreading about three feet wide, the Dalmatian bellflower is a hardy bloomer that thrives in full sun or partially shady areas, requiring moist soil with good drainage. Once established, it can even tolerate short periods of drought, so you don’t have to worry about tending it constantly.

What’s more, its flowers will start to appear in early summer and remain vibrant well into late summer. Plus, it’s resistant to hungry critters like rabbits, so you don’t have to worry about them eating your flowers. Beyond that, Dalmatian bellflower can spread quickly, filling up large areas with captivating colors in no time.

Pro tips:

• It’s best to keep Dalmatian bellflower away from areas that are prone to standing water.
• It doesn’t require much fertilizer, but adding a slow-release fertilizer in early spring will help it look its best.
• Regular deadheading will encourage more blooms, and cutting it back in late fall will also help it grow healthy.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 4 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Division
• Spread: By rhizomes
• ​​Duration: Perennial
• Mature size: Height up to 12 inches, width up to 2 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained, sand, chalk, loam
• Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 
• Bloom time: Summer, fall (June-September)
• Maintenance: Water about 1 inch per week (rain or irrigation); prune in early spring and after blooms fade
• Spacing: 6 – 12 inches apart
• Tolerate: Rabbit

Dalmatian bellflower seed options:
– Hazzard’s – Campanula portenschlagiana 20 seeds
– Hazzard’s – Campanula portenschlagiana 250 Seeds
– Hazzard’s – Campanula portenschlagiana 1,000 Seeds

12. Lithodora (Glandora diffusa)

From late spring through early summer, you’ll be in for a real treat with lithodora’s incredible display of deep blue and purple blooms. And for those living in warmer climates, this mat-forming evergreen will stay lush all year round. 

An ideal addition to your outdoor area, lithodora looks great tumbling over paths, walkways, and rockeries or cascading down retaining walls. Its distinctive foliage consists of hairy stems and lanceolate dark green leaves that’ll form a neat, dense plant. 

Best of all, you won’t need to spend ages maintaining your lithodora, as it’s low-maintenance and deer-resistant. Requiring full sun but tolerating some light shade, it’ll spread up to three feet wide in no time. To keep it looking its best, give it a trim after flowering. Plus, if it’s a success on your plot, you can always propagate it via semi-hardwood cuttings. 

All in all, what more could you want?!

Pro tips:

• Grows best in acidic, well-drained soils.
• Make sure the plants get adequate moisture during the summer.
• Use a slow-release fertilizer and liquid feed as needed throughout the season.
• To encourage more blooms, deadhead the faded flowers regularly.

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 6 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Cuttings, seeds
• Spread: Through seeds
• ​​Duration: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature size: Height 6 inches – 1 foot, width up to 3 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial sun
• Soil type: Well-drained, loam, sand
• Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.0
• Bloom time: Late spring – Summer, sometimes in Fall (May-August, September)
• Maintenance: Water once a week to keep the soil damp about one inch below the surface. Avoid overwatering.
• Spacing: 2 – 3 feet
• Tolerate: Deer
• Attract: Butterflies

Lithodora seed options:
– Glandora Diffusa

13. Creeping mazus (Mazus reptans)

Good things come in small packages, and that’s certainly true for creeping mazus. All summer long, these little stars bloom with vibrant blue-violet flowers against a backdrop of thick, deep green foliage. Their height is only two to three inches, but they spread an impressive six to twelve inches wide. Mazus makes a great addition to rock gardens, walls, or as a lawn alternative. 

Its fresh foliage stays green year-round in warm climates and can handle foot traffic, making it a great flowering plant for paths and walkways. For best results, provide consistent moisture and full sun or light shade. To promote further growth, give a light trim to the foliage in early spring. Don’t be fooled by size – these mini wonders pack a big punch!

General characteristics:

• USDA hardiness zones: 5 – 8
• Recommended propagation strategy: Cuttings, division
• Spread: Creeping stems
• ​​Duration: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature size: Height 6 inches – 1 foot, width up to 3 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun, partial sun
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained loam, sand, clay, chalk
• Soil pH: 5.5 – 8.0
• Bloom time: Late spring – Summer (May-August)
• Maintenance: Water weekly, especially in hot and dry conditions. Fertilize annually with slow-release fertilizer in spring. Prune in spring to promote new growth.
• Spacing: 8-12 inches apart

Creeping mazus seed options:
– EZ Growing Plants Store – Mazus Blue Reptans with Lavendar Flowers

FAQ

Final Thoughts

Purple-flowering ground covers are a great way to add color and fragrance to your outdoor space without the hassle of high-maintenance plants. While browsing through the vast options available, consider the type of soil you have, the amount of sun or shade your yard gets, the required maintenance, and the blooming period of the ground cover plant. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Reach out to a local gardener or landscaping pro for help. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction and help you find the perfect fit, as well as help with color coordination and general landscape design.

Main Photo Credit: actual_size / Canva Pro / License

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