13 Groundcover Plants That Are Both Elegant and Sustainable

Easy to care for? Check. Low maintenance? Check. Weed growth suppressant? Check. Natural, living mulch? Check. A barrier for pests and diseases? Check. Unlike tall, showy plants that are traditionally added to landscape designs, groundcovers offer your garden way more than just visual appeal and attractively colorful blooms.

Ground cover plants act as behind-the-scenes crew members who usually diligently work without being noticed or applauded for their great efforts. From adding interesting texture and depth to your garden, retaining soil moisture, and providing habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects to acting as a sound barrier, preventing soil erosion, and filling the gaps in your yard, groundcovers are more than average plants. Here's a detailed look at 12+ groundcover plants that can bring beauty, diversity, and sustainability to your garden.

1.     Liriope Spicata

Versatile, resilient, and vibrant, Liriope spicata is an exceptional ground cover capable of growing into a colorful display that shines even in poor soil. This grassy-foliage plant spreads effectively, making it an ideal choice for filling spaces beneath trees or covering large ground areas. In late spring, this adorable plant graces your garden with luxurious violet flowers that later transition into attractive berries.

2.     Coral Drift Groundcover Rose

Seeking a splash of lasting color? Coral Drift Groundcover Rose never fails to impress homeowners with its continuous bloom of coral-pink flowers from early summer until frost. Its ground-hugging perennial nature allows it to spill gracefully over edges and walls. Preferring full sun to partial shade, the Coral Drift flourishes in well-drained soil, eloquently expressing nature’s grace and elegance with its soft shades and interesting textures.

3.     Sunshine Happy Trails Groundcover Rose

Celebrate the warmth of the season with Sunshine Happy Trails Groundcover Rose. Reminiscent of the beach's golden sand, this radiant plant makes a cheery yet graceful impression with its bright yellow roses that persist through the early summer. Its trailing habit and durability in full sun to afternoon shade make it an excellent choice for accentuating pathways or garden borders, offering a bright layout of color and beauty.

4.     Red Drift Groundcover Rose

Imagine stepping into your yard to be greeted by a huge bouquet of vibrantly red blooms that turn your garden into a romantic retreat from late spring through fall. The compact habit of Red Drift Groundcover Rose allows it to fit into smaller spaces, making it a great choice for adding layers of color in mixed beds, borders, or slopes, providing an eye-catching, low-maintenance display.

5.     Violet Pinwheels Groundcover Phlox

Resembling Pinwheels, Violet Pinwheels Groundcover Phlox is a captivating groundcover that boasts electric violet flowers, breathing life into a dreamy escape. Its sprawling habit makes it ideal for rock gardens, borders, or as a carpet beneath trees. Also, its lush, grassy foliage provides a verdant backdrop for its blooms, creating a striking contrast and adding depth to your garden. 

6.     Emerald Blue Phlox

Native to Eastern North America, Emerald Blue Phlox carpets the garden floor with vibrant blue flowers in late spring, bringing a super chilled-out vibe into the space. Ideal for creating a colorful edge or filling gaps between taller plants, it rewards gardeners with a stunning display when many other plants are just beginning to emerge. Its deer-resistant nature and low maintenance requirements add to its appeal for gardeners seeking beauty without the fuss.

7.     Coral Beauty Cotoneaster

What sets Coral Beauty Cotoneaster apart from other groundcovers is that it offers every homeowner a delightful blend of glossy green leaves, white flowers in late spring, and striking coral-red berries in fall. Offering year-round interest, it not only adds aesthetic value but also serves a practical purpose, preventing soil erosion and suppressing weed growth with its thick foliage.

8.     Pink Drift Groundcover Rose

A symbol of femininity, admiration, and grace, the Pink Drift Groundcover Rose is renowned for its continuous bloom of delicate pink flowers, creating a mesmerizing effect from early summer to frost. Great for small gardens or as a vibrant border, its compact growth habit and disease resistance ensure that it remains a robust and attractive option if you want to add a touch of elegance with minimal maintenance.

9.     Blue Pacific Juniper

Blue Pacific Juniper stands out with its striking blue-green foliage, creating a dense carpet that's both aesthetically pleasing and functional. This ground cover thrives in full sun to part shade, demonstrating exceptional adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions. Its deer-resistant and drought-tolerant characteristics allow it to control erosion on slopes and add texture and color to rock gardens and coastal landscapes.

10.  Peach Drift Groundcover Rose

When you think of Peach Drift Groundcover Rose, you will be instantly teleported to the most wonderful fairy tale where a gentle cascade of soft peach blooms fills your garden with sweetness, delicacy, and love. Whether planted in borders, containers, or as a standalone feature, Peach Drift provides continuous color and glamour without the constant care that other needy plants require.

11.  Phlox Candy Stripe

With its unique pink-striped, white flowers that emerge in late spring, Phlox Candy Stripe brings a captivating spectacle to your garden. Beyond its eye-catching appearance, the Phlox Candy Stripe is celebrated for its low-maintenance needs and its capability to spread efficiently, creating a dense, floral mat that suppresses weeds and beautifies bare spots in the garden. Its ability to attract pollinators, while resisting deer, adds to its value in creating a lively, dynamic, and harmonious outdoor space.

12.  Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip'

Just when you thought nothing would echo your daring style, the Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’  comes along to offer you the optimum balance of striking blue flowers and bold chocolate-bronze leaves. The peaceful blooms' mind-soothing effect perfectly complements the leaves' mysterious dark shades, bringing unique beauty to your landscape.

13.  Green Lane Euonymus

When picturing Green Lane Euonymus in your next makeover, think of peace, freshness, and vibrancy. The Green Lane Euonymus maintains its striking bright color throughout the year, providing a continuous green backdrop that supports the display of other seasonal plants. Thanks to its deer-resistant nature, this plant offers long-lasting charm with low maintenance requirements. All combined, it's the perfect embellishment to your garden, impressive with its vivid color and resilient nature.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating groundcover plants into your garden can provide a wealth of benefits, including reduced maintenance, improved soil health, and enhanced visual appeal. By carefully selecting plants that match the conditions and design of your garden, you can create a cohesive and beautiful landscape that thrives year after year.

ShrubHub.com