Transform Your Outdoor Space with 9 Beautiful Ground Covers

Posted on 17/05/2025

Transform Your Outdoor Space with 9 Beautiful Ground Covers

Are you dreaming of a lush, verdant outdoor oasis but don't know where to start? Look no further. A simple yet effective solution is incorporating ground covers that not only fill up empty spaces but also add depth, texture, and color to your landscape. Whether you have a sprawling yard or a compact garden, ground covers can make a significant impact. Here, we delve into nine beautiful ground covers to transform your outdoor space.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme is a versatile and fragrant ground cover that can quickly transform your garden. Known for its delicate flowers and aromatic leaves, this plant thrives in sunny areas and is drought-resistant. Perfect for rock gardens, pathways, and borders, Creeping Thyme is not only visually appealing but also invites pollinators like bees to your garden.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Watering: Low maintenance
• Height: 2-4 inches

2. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

If you desire a dense, velvety carpet-like presence in your garden, Irish Moss is a great option. With its lush green color, it beautifully accents flower beds and walkways. This versatile ground cover not only offers an aesthetic appeal but also suppresses weeds, keeping your garden low maintenance.

• Sunlight: Partial to full sun
• Watering: Moderate
• Height: 1-2 inches

3. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

Lilyturf is a tough, resilient ground cover known for its dark green, blade-like leaves and stunning spikes of lavender flowers. Ideal for shady areas, Lilyturf offers a burst of color and texture. It's a fantastic option for edging along paths or flower beds, adding a structured look to your landscaping.

• Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun
• Watering: Regular, drought-tolerant once established
• Height: 10-15 inches

4. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Looking for a ground cover that thrives in the shade? Sweet Woodruff is your answer. Known for its star-shaped white flowers and sweet fragrance, this plant is excellent for wooded areas or under tree canopies. Its low maintenance nature makes it an easy choice for anyone looking to beautify a shady area.

• Sunlight: Partial to full shade
• Watering: Prefers moist soil
• Height: 6-12 inches

5. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Blue Star Creeper is a charming ground cover adorned with tiny blue flowers. Ideal for creeping over stones or edging around pathways, this plant provides a stunning effect when in bloom. It also makes an excellent alternative to traditional grass lawns.

• Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun
• Watering: Regular
• Height: 1-2 inches

6. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

Named for its white, snow-like blooms, Snow-in-Summer is a delightful choice for adding a whimsical touch to your garden. Its silver-gray foliage adds contrast to the vibrant greens found in most landscapes. It's perfect for sunny slopes and rock gardens.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Watering: Low
• Height: 6-12 inches

7. Dragon's Blood Sedum (Sedum spurium)

Known for its striking red foliage and tiny pink flowers, Dragon's Blood Sedum is ideal for creating a bold statement in any garden. It's perfect for sunny, dry areas and rock gardens, offering a splash of color with minimal care.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Watering: Low
• Height: 4-6 inches

8. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is celebrated for its vibrant yellow-green leaves that add a pop of color and brighten even the shadiest parts of your garden. It's an excellent ground cover for hanging baskets, pots, and garden beds alike.

• Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun
• Watering: Moderate
• Height: 2-4 inches

9. Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Carpet Bugleweed is a robust, fast-spreading ground cover with attractive purple-blue flowers and glossy dark-green leaves. Often used to fill in the gaps of large areas, this plant grows well in a variety of conditions and is deer-resistant, making it a smart choice for many gardeners.

• Sunlight: Full shade to part sun
• Watering: Moderate, drought-tolerant once established
• Height: 6-9 inches

Benefits of Ground Covers

The benefits of incorporating ground covers into your outdoor space extend beyond aesthetics. These plants can help with weed suppression, soil erosion control, and provide a habitat for beneficial insects. With their low-maintenance nature and adaptability, ground covers offer an eco-friendly way to transform your garden into a thriving landscape.

With these stunning ground cover options, you are well on your way to transforming your outdoor space into a lush paradise. Start planting and watch as your garden becomes a beautiful, low-maintenance, natural haven.