When it comes to gardening, a persistent challenge is dealing with weeds that are relentless in their ambition to take over your precious patch of earth. Luckily, ground covers not only beautify our gardens but also offer a practical solution by choking out unwanted weeds.
These resilient plants create dense mats, preventing weeds from gaining a foothold and enriching the soil. In this guide, we will explore some unique ground cover options that effectively suppress weeds while adding charm and functionality to your landscape.
Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a delightful choice for gardeners looking for a hardy ground cover that thrives in sunny locations. This fragrant herb not only produces purple blooms but also forms a lush, dense carpet that effectively suppresses weed growth. Its low stature, reaching only 6 to 12 inches high, makes it ideal for filling in spaces between stones in pathways or between pavers. The aromatic leaves release a sweet scent when stepped on, deterring both weeds and garden pests. Plus, creeping thyme attracts pollinators, enhancing biodiversity in your garden.
Creeping Speedwell
Creeping speedwell (Veronica filiformis) is a charming yet underappreciated option for ground cover. This fast-spreading perennial features stunning blue flowers that can bring a vibrant pop to any garden. Creeping speedwell is particularly effective in shaded areas, where many other ground covers struggle. Its ability to form a dense mat makes it an excellent choice for smothering weeds, especially in woodland gardens and along shady pathways. The foliage remains lush throughout the growing season, ensuring that weeds have difficulty establishing themselves in its vicinity.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a wonderful addition to shaded gardens. With its sweet, hay-like scent, this ground cover is not only visually pleasing, thanks to its star-shaped white flowers, but it also has a thick growth habit that leaves little room for weeds. Sweet woodruff thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, making it versatile for various garden settings. Its aromatic leaves are often used in sachets, providing a dual purpose as a beautiful and functional ground cover.
Bugleweed
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a robust contender for weed suppression, making it a favorite among gardeners. This charming perennial not only offers deep, rich green foliage but also produces vibrant spikes of blue flowers that bloom in the spring. Bugleweed has a remarkable ability to quickly spread over an area, forming an impenetrable layer that prevents weeds from taking root. It’s particularly adaptable to various soil types and light conditions, thriving in both shaded areas and sunny spots. Its high tolerance for foot traffic makes it a great ground cover option for walkways or tough garden spots.
Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a stunning, low-growing perennial that flourishes in full sun, offering a blanket of colorful blooms in early spring. With its vibrant hues ranging from pinks to purples and whites, creeping phlox is a fantastic option for filling garden beds and borders. Its carpeting effect not only beautifies your garden but effectively blocks weeds, thanks to its intricate root system that binds soil together. This ground cover is also drought-tolerant once established, making it an ideal choice for low-maintenance landscapes.
Creeping Juniper
Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is an evergreen ground cover that thrives in a range of garden settings. Its ability to spread quickly and form a dense mat makes it an excellent weed suppressor. Creeping juniper prefers sandy and well-drained soil, flourishing in sunny conditions. Its needle-like foliage provides year-round interest, turning shades of blue and green, while its ability to tolerate drought conditions makes it an asset for xeriscaping projects. Along with its weed-choking capabilities, creeping juniper can also provide habitat for small creatures in the garden.
Coral Bells
Coral bells (Heuchera spp.) bring both color and texture to the garden while serving as a formidable ground cover. The dense foliage and stunning flower spikes make this perennial a standout choice for gardeners. Coral bells are especially effective at choking out weeds due to their growth habit and adaptability to various soil conditions and light levels. With various shades of leaves – from deep burgundy to vibrant lime green – these plants offer a palette of color throughout the growing season. They thrive in both shady spots and sunny borders, making them a versatile option for any landscape.
Ice Plant
Ice plant (Delosperma spp.) is a drought-tolerant ground cover that flourishes in full sun, making it perfect for hot and dry climates. Its fleshy, succulent-like leaves create a dense mat that effectively crowds out weeds. The showy blossoms, often in brilliant colors, appear throughout the summer, making ice plant an attractive addition to any garden. This ground cover is particularly well-suited for slopes or rock gardens, where its trailing habit can quickly establish coverage, preventing both erosion and unwanted weed growth.
Dead Nettle
Dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) is an excellent option for shaded areas where weeds often thrive. Its decorative foliage comes in stunning variegated patterns, offering a visual feast among the green landscape. As a low-growing perennial, dead nettle spreads efficiently, creating a thick ground cover that limits weed growth and keeps the soil cool and moist. It’s also an excellent choice for attracting pollinators, making it a beautiful and beneficial addition to any garden.
Creeping Mazus
Creeping mazus (Mazus reptans) is a lesser-known but fantastic ground cover that thrives in moist, well-drained soil. With its delightful purple-blue flowers and lush green foliage, it establishes quickly and spreads vigorously. This perennial is particularly effective in tolerating light foot traffic and will thrive in partial shade to full sun. Its mat-forming habit serves as an effective barrier against weeds while its compact growth makes it perfect for filling in gaps or creating a living carpet in your garden.
Sea Thrift
Sea thrift (Armeria maritima) is an extraordinary choice for gardens near the coast or in areas with sandy soil. This hardy perennial likes well-drained soil and full sun, forming tight clumps that choke out weeds. Not only does it produce delightful pink or white puffball flowers that sway gracefully in the breeze, but it also demonstrates excellent drought resistance. Sea thrift’s ability to thrive in challenging environments makes it a popular choice for rock gardens and coastal landscapes, while its thick roots discourage weed establishment.
Irish Moss
Irish moss (Sagina subulata) is typically found in cooler climates and provides a lush, emerald green carpet that is perfect for small areas. This hardy ground cover requires moderate moisture and can thrive in both sun and shade. Its dense growth habit makes it an effective weed deterrent, particularly in between stepping stones or along pathways. As it grows low to the ground, Irish moss creates a pleasing visual, providing a soft, cushiony feel that enhances your garden’s charm.
Mondo Grass
Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) is an ornamental grass that excels at choking out weeds thanks to its dense, evergreen growth. With its dark green, strap-like leaves, it adds texture and a touch of elegance to garden beds. Mondo grass is exceptionally hardy; it tolerates a variety of light and soil conditions, making it suitable for both sunny and shaded areas. This ground cover is particularly effective in preventing weeds in areas where foot traffic is common, thanks to its resilience and ability to form a thick root system.
Lungwort
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) is a lovely early spring bloomer with a unique spotted leaf pattern. This shade-loving perennial excels at filling in bare patches and suppressing weeds in the undergrowth. Its variegated leaves and colorful flowers create a stunning ground cover that brings life to shaded areas. Lungwort prefers moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable enough to thrive in a variety of environments. It’s also beneficial for wildlife, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.
