Add beauty to your UK garden with these 9 top ground covers

Posted on 14/05/2025

Add Beauty to Your UK Garden with These 9 Top Ground Covers

Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your garden can be achieved effortlessly by introducing vibrant and resilient ground covers. Not only do they provide visual interest, but they also offer functional benefits like suppressing weeds, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining soil moisture. For our UK gardeners, here's a curated list of 9 stunning ground covers to enrich your outdoor oasis.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

A fragrant and versatile choice, creeping thyme is a beloved option for its aromatic leaves and petite purple flowers. It's drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy
• Growth Rate: Moderate

2. Ajuga (Carpet Bugleweed)

This vibrant ground cover is known for its ability to grow in shady areas. The Ajuga offers stunning foliage in shades of purple, bronze, and green, with blue flower spikes in spring.

• Sunlight: Partial shade to full shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Growth Rate: Fast

3. Vinca minor (Periwinkle)

Also known as lesser periwinkle, this fast-spreading plant is perfect for carpeting large areas. Its glossy green leaves and periwinkle blue flowers are a delightful sight in spring.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Any well-drained soil
• Growth Rate: Fast

4. Waldsteinia (Barren Strawberry)

An evergreen choice, Waldsteinia showcases yellow blooms and strawberry-like leaves, making it an attractive option for year-round interest.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

5. Sedum (Stonecrop)

For those seeking a hardy and low-maintenance alternative, sedum offers an array of colours and textures. It's particularly suited for rockeries and dry areas.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

6. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Known for its striking foliage, Heuchera provides year-round colour with leaves ranging from silver to deep burgundy. In spring, delicate foliage spikes add to its charm.

• Sunlight: Partial shade
• Soil: Rich, well-drained
• Growth Rate: Moderate

7. Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge)

A preferred choice for shady garden beds, Japanese Spurge offers glossy green leaves and small white flowers. It forms a dense mat that is ideal for suppressing weeds.

• Sunlight: Partial to full shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

8. Liriope muscari (Lilyturf)

Liriope boasts grassy foliage and violet flower spikes that appear in late summer, making it a perfect border plant or ground cover for larger gardens.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained
• Growth Rate: Moderate

9. Armeria maritima (Sea Thrift)

Perfect for coastal gardens, Sea Thrift is noted for its neat, grass-like foliage and vibrant pink pom-pom flowers. It thrives in well-drained, sandy soil.

• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil
• Growth Rate: Moderate

Tips for Planting Ground Covers

To ensure your ground covers thrive, consider the following tips:

1. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and incorporating organic matter.
2. Space plants according to their growth rate to allow for natural spread.
3. Water regularly until established, then adjust care based on plant type.
4. Use organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress competing weeds.

Conclusion

Incorporating ground covers into your UK garden not only adds beauty and texture but also aids in maintenance. With these top picks, your garden will flourish with minimal effort, providing a gorgeous landscape throughout the seasons. Choose plants that align with your garden's conditions, and enjoy a lush carpet of colour and life.

Start transforming your garden today with these versatile and captivating choices!