Weeding can be one of the most tedious and frustrating aspects of gardening. It’s disheartening to see unwanted plants take over your meticulously cared-for garden beds. But what if I told you there’s a way to reduce the amount of time spent pulling weeds while enhancing the beauty of your garden? Enter ground covers—nature’s own weed suppressors! These fast-growing, dense plants can be a gardener’s best friend, shading out those pesky weeds and providing a lush, green carpet of foliage.
Ground covers not only help keep the weeds at bay but also add texture, color, and even flowers to your garden. From sunny spots to shady corners, there’s a ground cover for every part of your garden. Let’s explore ten of my favorite ground covers that are not only beautiful but also incredibly effective at choking out weeds. Get ready to transform your garden with these amazing plants!
Ajuga
One of my absolute favorite ground covers has to be Ajuga, also known as Bugleweed. This hardy plant is a powerhouse when it comes to covering ground and preventing weeds from taking over. Its beautiful, glossy leaves come in a variety of colors—from deep green to bronze and even variegated. In spring, it sends up spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers that add a lovely touch to your garden. Ajuga is perfect for shady areas, but it can also tolerate some sun, making it a versatile choice for many garden spots.
What I love about Ajuga is its ability to spread rapidly via runners, quickly forming a dense mat that leaves no room for weeds. It’s incredibly low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. Plus, it’s deer and rabbit resistant, so you won’t have to worry about these critters munching on your plants. If you have a shady garden bed that needs some love, Ajuga might just be the answer!
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is another fantastic option for a fast-growing ground cover that chokes out weeds. Its vibrant yellow-green leaves create a cheerful, cascading effect that brightens up any garden space. I find it particularly effective in areas that receive partial to full sun, where it spreads quickly and forms a thick, weed-suppressing carpet.
One of the reasons I adore Creeping Jenny is its versatility. It can be used in garden beds, around stepping stones, or even in containers where it can spill over the edges beautifully. It’s also a great choice for moist areas of your garden, as it thrives in damp conditions. Just be mindful of its vigorous growth—it can become invasive if not managed properly. But with a little care, Creeping Jenny can be a delightful addition to your garden.
Vinca Minor
Also known as Periwinkle, Vinca Minor is a hardy, evergreen ground cover that’s perfect for shady areas where weeds often thrive. Its glossy, dark green leaves provide year-round interest, while its charming blue or white flowers appear in spring and sporadically throughout the summer. I love how Vinca Minor adds a touch of elegance to any garden with its delicate, star-shaped blooms.
What makes Vinca Minor particularly effective at weed suppression is its dense, mat-forming growth habit. It spreads quickly, covering bare ground and preventing weeds from establishing. This plant is incredibly low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for busy gardeners. If you’re looking for a reliable ground cover that can handle tough conditions, Vinca Minor is a fantastic option.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff is a delightful ground cover that brings both beauty and functionality to the garden. Its delicate, star-shaped white flowers bloom in late spring and early summer, creating a lovely contrast against its lush green foliage. This plant is perfect for shady areas and woodland gardens, where it can form a dense mat that suppresses weeds effectively.
One of the reasons I’m so fond of Sweet Woodruff is its wonderful fragrance. The leaves have a sweet, hay-like scent that intensifies when dried, making it a popular choice for potpourris and sachets. In the garden, it’s an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant that spreads quickly without being overly aggressive. If you have a shady spot in need of some charm and weed suppression, Sweet Woodruff is an excellent choice.
Woolly Thyme
Woolly Thyme is a charming and hardy ground cover that’s perfect for sunny, dry areas of your garden. Its tiny, silver-gray leaves create a soft, woolly carpet that’s both visually appealing and highly effective at preventing weeds. I love how Woolly Thyme adds a touch of texture and color contrast to the garden, especially when used between stepping stones or along garden paths.
This plant is incredibly drought-tolerant and requires very little maintenance once established. It also produces small, pink flowers in summer that attract pollinators, adding another layer of interest to your garden. Woolly Thyme is a great choice for rock gardens, slopes, and other challenging spots where many plants struggle to thrive. Its tough, resilient nature makes it a standout ground cover for sunny areas.
Ice Plant
The Ice Plant is a stunning ground cover known for its succulent leaves and vibrant, daisy-like flowers that bloom in a range of colors, from bright pinks and purples to sunny yellows and whites. This plant is perfect for sunny, well-drained areas where it can spread quickly, creating a dazzling carpet of color. One of my favorite things about the Ice Plant is how its flowers open up during the day and close at night, adding a dynamic element to the garden.
What makes the Ice Plant particularly effective at weed suppression is its dense, spreading habit. It forms a thick mat that crowds out weeds while adding a splash of color to your landscape. This plant is also incredibly drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil, making it a great choice for tough spots where other plants might struggle. If you want a ground cover that’s both beautiful and practical, the Ice Plant is an excellent choice.
Lamium
Lamium, also known as Dead Nettle, is a versatile ground cover that thrives in shady areas of the garden. Its heart-shaped leaves are often variegated with silver or white markings, providing a striking contrast to its clusters of pink, white, or purple flowers. I love how Lamium can brighten up even the darkest corners of the garden with its colorful foliage and blooms.
This plant is incredibly effective at suppressing weeds due to its dense, spreading growth habit. It forms a thick mat that shades out weed seeds and prevents them from germinating. Lamium is also low-maintenance and can handle a variety of soil conditions, making it a great choice for gardeners of all skill levels. If you’re looking for a ground cover that can add color and charm to shady areas while keeping weeds at bay, Lamium is a fantastic option.
Hosta
Hostas are renowned for their lush foliage and ability to thrive in shady gardens. These plants come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors, from small, delicate varieties to large, dramatic ones. Their broad, overlapping leaves create a dense canopy that effectively suppresses weeds, making them a popular choice for ground cover.
One of the reasons I’m so fond of Hostas is their versatility. They can be used in a variety of garden settings, from borders and under trees to mixed plantings and containers. In addition to their foliage, many Hostas produce lovely, fragrant flowers in summer that attract pollinators. If you’re looking for a ground cover that combines beauty with practicality, Hostas are an excellent choice.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a classic ground cover that’s perfect for shady areas. Its glossy, evergreen leaves form a dense mat that effectively chokes out weeds, while its small, white flowers add a touch of elegance in spring. I love how Pachysandra provides year-round interest in the garden with its rich, green foliage.
This plant is incredibly low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, making it a reliable choice for tough spots in the garden. It’s also deer-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about these animals nibbling on your plants. If you have a shady area that needs a durable, attractive ground cover, Pachysandra is an excellent option.
Sedum
Sedum, also known as Stonecrop, is a versatile and hardy ground cover that’s perfect for sunny, dry areas. Its succulent leaves come in a variety of shapes and colors, from green and blue to red and purple. In late summer to fall, Sedum produces clusters of star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators and add a burst of color to the garden.
What I love about Sedum is its ability to thrive in poor soil and tough conditions. It forms a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds while adding texture and interest to your garden. Sedum is also incredibly low-maintenance, requiring little water and care once established. If you’re looking for a ground cover that’s both beautiful and resilient, Sedum is a fantastic choice.
