Ground covers are one of the most important parts of a well-kept garden, and yet, it is not always possible to expend as much time and energy on these as you might want to. The ideal way to go is to plant some low maintenance flowering plants that will keep your garden vigorous all the time.
Rarely any of the popular ground covers continue to bloom in winter, but there are plenty of plants, like sedums and stonecrops, that remain equally attractive all year due to the interesting color of their foliage. Given below are some ideas for your garden.
Colorful Ground Cover Flowers for Both Sun and ShadeAlmost all the plants in the following list are perennials, except the wishbone flower and moss rose. |
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12 Ground Cover Plants With Purple Flowers |
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1. Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum)
Evergreen in mild winter climates, a good choice for shaded areas, it grows quickly to cover large areas. Does well with upright plants like cinnamon ferns, bleeding heart, and the taller hosta varieties. However, tends to overrun shorter plants. Easy to cut back and maintain. Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade Flowering Time: Mid-spring to late summer Height/Width: 6-12 inches/24-36 inches USDA Zone: 3-8 |
2. Horned Violet (Viola cornuta)
Low maintenance plant, grows well in moist loamy soils, suitable to be grown as a colorful base for roses and mixed ornamental shrubs. May need weeding in the first couple of years. The fragrant flowers make it a good option for mixed ground cover, with masterworts and hardy geraniums. Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full sun Flowering Time: Mid-spring to all summer and fall Height/Width: 8- 12 inches/12 inches USDA Zone: 5-10 |
3. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Evergreen perennial plants with silvery green rosettes of long velvety leaves that make it suitable for borders to short ground cover plants. Flowers grow in long spikes, kind of resembling lavenders. It also keeps some color in your garden during mild winters, though the leaves may die back if it gets too cold. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Spring to fall Height/Width: 12-24 inches/up to 36 inches USDA Zone: 4-10 |
4. Purple Bergenia (Bergenia purpurascens)
A pig squeak variety with large rounded leaves that resembles spinach, but with reddish veins. They turn beetroot red in winter, adding further ornamental value to the plant. The purple flowers grow in clusters at the top of long red stems. The name of the plant mainly refers to the winter color of the leaves. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade Flowering Time: All spring Height/Width: 12-18 inches/ up to 24 inches USDA Zone: 4-8 |
5. Common periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Also known as creeping myrtle, the low vine with small purple flowers is often considered an invasive weed, but can be a good choice for ground cover in garden areas that are likely to be neglected. Still, make sure you really want it in a specific area, as it is pretty difficult to get rid of once established. The plant retains its flowers even in winter. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to shade Flowering Time: Spring to winter Height/Width: 6-10 inches/up to 24 inches USDA Zone: 4-9 |
6. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serphyllum)
The creeper needs moderate maintenance and has a number of cultivars, with the short ‘prostrate’ varieties growing fast to create a lush carpet covering wide areas quickly. Can even tolerate light foot traffic. Small purple flowers are fragrant. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: All summer Height/Width: 3-4 inches/up to 12 inches USDA Zone: 4-10 |
7. Plaintain Lily ‘Elegans’ (Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’)
The large round bluish-green textured leaves are almost as showy as the pale purple flower stalks, with the plant working both as ground cover and showy garden border. Its flowers do not last very long, but the dark green leaves are perfect for a backdrop for other flowering plants. Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full sun Flowering Time: Summer Height/Width: Around 24 inches/24-36 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
8. Bellflower ‘Jelly Bells’ (Campanula x pulloides ‘Jelly Bells’)
Low maintenance plant, grows well in any kind of well-drained soil. Grows fast through underground runners to produce a dense carpet-like ground cover. Small attractive nodding bell-shaped bluish-purple flowers stand out against the fresh light green foliage. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Late spring to summer Height/Width: 6-10 inches/10-15 inches USDA Zone: 5-8 |
9. Creeping Lilyturf (Liriope spicata)
Grass-like plant with long leaf blades, it spreads through rhizomes and grows flower spikes that resemble lavender. Though it prefers partial sunlight, it can grow quite well in full shade and is somewhat drought tolerant. Sunlight Requirement: Partial shade Flowering Time: Summer to early/mid-fall Height/Width: 6-15 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 4-10 |
10. Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)
A good option for covering up any uneven or unsightly landscape areas, these plants grow thick clusters of tiny purple flowers that grow so evenly that it is often impossible to discern the foliage during the blooming season. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Spring Height/Width: 4-6 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
11. Violet ‘Dark Freckles’ (Viola sororia ‘freckles’)
Also known as wooly blue-violet, the pale blue flowers with dark purple freckles are even more striking when grown with other vibrant flowers, especially daffodils. Grows quite fast without much care as long as the soil is moist and well-drained. Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade Flowering Time: Summer to spring Height/Width: 4-8 inches/6-12 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
12. Hardy Iceplant (Delosperma cooperi)
A good choice for dry garden areas, it can grow in any kind of well-drained soil. Spreads fast, forming a lush succulent mat with its short leaf blades. Excellent for rock gardens. There are other varieties with red, yellow, and white flowers. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Late spring to fall Height/Width: 6-12 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 5-11 |
10 Ground Covers with Yellow Flowers |
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1. Brass Button (Cotula coronopifolia)
A striking plant with fern-like leaves, it can grow in any condition from sunlit areas to full shade as long as the soil is well-drained yet moist. Since it has a shallow root system, it does well with annual fertilization. The purple-blackish green foliage creates a nice contrast with the compact yellow flowers. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to shade Flowering Time: Late spring to summer Height/Width: 2 inches/12-18 inches USDA Zone: 4-10 |
2. Yellow Stonecrop (Sedum nuttallianum)
Yet another mat-forming succulent ground cover, this one produces striking yellow flowers in clusters. The cold-hardy plant is suitable to be grown in uneven areas with scattered stones. Despite being evergreen, the leaves may shrivel a little in hot summers. Sunlight Requirement: partial to full shade Flowering Time: Early spring through summer Height/Width: 4-8 inches/18-36 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
3. Basket of Gold (Aurinia saxatilis)
Aptly named, the tiny bright yellow flowers grow in clusters and cover the foliage during the flowering season, adding a touch of sun to your garden. The bluish-green hairy evergreen leaves form an attractive ground cover for the rest of the year. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Throughout spring to early summer Height/Width: 6-12 inches/15-30 inches USDA Zone: 3-7 |
4. Angelina Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’)
A sedum cultivar with yellow flowers, the yellow spiky succulent foliage is equally striking as ground cover. Ideal for rock gardens and any cracks and uneven areas in your backyard, the foliage develops an orangish hue in winter in northern climates. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade Flowering Time: Early summer Height/Width: 3-6 inches/24-36 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
5. Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon)
Also known as yellow dead nettle, it is evergreen in mild winter climates and grows quickly to cover large areas. With its clusters of yellow flowers and variegated foliage, it does well with small purple flowered ground covers like violets and bellflowers. Sunlight Requirement: Full to partial sun Flowering Time: Mid to late spring Height/Width: 10-20 inches/around 24 inches USDA Zone: 4-8 |
6. Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
It is related to the edible peanut plant, with its tiny yellow flowers and low lush mat-like foliage making it a popular choice for ground cover. Also known as the ornamental perennial grass, it is often considered a forage plant but works well in gardens and lawns as it can tolerate light foot traffic. Sunlight Requirement: Full to partial sun Flowering Time: Spring through summer Height/Width: 4-6 inches/112-24 inches USDA Zone: 8-11 |
7. Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’)
An elegant creeping plant with small roundish golden leaves and attractive bright yellow flowers, it spreads quickly, covering wide areas with its cascading golden foliage. Evergreen in mild climates, this plant sometimes tends to become invasive. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Summer Height/Width: 2-6 inches/15-24 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
8. Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)
Named after its resemblance to the edible strawberry plants, it prefers acidic soil but can grow in almost all types of soils. Cannot tolerate humid conditions, as it is native to the northern cold climates. The evergreen foliage turns slightly bronze in winter. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade Flowering Time: Throughout spring to early summer Height/Width: 3-6 inches/12-15 inches USDA Zone: 4-8 |
9. Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
Another hardy perennial fast-growing plant with pretty flowers that can easily turn invasive, creeping buttercup is still quite popular as ground covers for otherwise neglected garden areas. They will come back year after year, so just make sure you really want them where you plant them. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade Flowering Time: Spring to fall Height/Width: Up to 12 inches/24-36 inches USDA Zone: 4-10 |
10. Upright Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia rigida)
Attractive flowering succulents with spiky leaves and small fragrant chartreuse yellow blossoms, it is also known as the gopher plant. Grows well in all kinds of well-drained soils. Sunlight Requirement: Full to partial sun Flowering Time: Spring Height/Width: 8-12 inches/24-36 inches USDA Zone: 7-10 |
8 Blue Flowers for Ground Cover |
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1. Wishbone Flower (Torenia fournieri)
Also known as blue-wings, this variety produces striking bi-colored flowers with blue edges and white centers. The stamens grow from opposite sides to resemble a wishbone. The plant has other varieties as well with pink, yellow, purple, and white flowers. The blue flowers create a nice contrast when grown with the pink variety. Though annual, it is a self-sowing plant so it is easy to grow them every year. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade; can tolerate full shade as well Flowering Time: Spring to summer and early fall Height/Width: 6-12 inches/up to 20 inches USDA Zone: 2-11 |
2. Veronica ‘Goodness Grows’ (Veronica spicata ‘Goodness Grows’)
A perennial speedwell variety, producing lots of long dark violet to blue flower stalks that bloom through fall till frost; it is quite hardy in hot and humid climates, though does not tolerate flooded or wet soils. The flowers make nice cut flowers as well. Can be grouped with perennials like amber waves coral bells, Helen Johnson mullein, and winter glow bergenia. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Early summer to fall Height/Width: 8-12 inches/10-15 inches USDA Zone: 3-8 |
3. Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
A short plant with large dark to purplish-green leaves, the plant grows fast and are best when planted in larger areas. It can tolerate mild foot traffic and can grow in full shade in places where it is difficult to grow grass. The plant can thrive in full sun as well if provided with ample moisture. Sunlight Requirement: Partial sun to full shade Flowering Time: Throughout spring to early summer Height/Width: 4-10 inches/10-24 inches USDA Zone: 3-10 |
4. Purple Gromwell ‘Heavenly Blue’ ( Lithodora diffusa ‘Heavenly Blue’)
A bushy plant with small elegant blue flowers it can grow in almost all types of well-drained soils. The small bluish-green hairy foliage also adds texture to the ground cover. Can be grown along with other small-flowered plants like buttercups and iceplants. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade Flowering Time: Early spring through summer Height/Width: 6-12 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 5-9 |
5. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)
An attractive creeper vine with dark bluish-green foliage topped with small pale blue five-petal flowers in spring. It can grow in almost all types of soils as long as it is well-drained, and can even tolerate moderate foot traffic. Sunlight Requirement: Full to partial sun Flowering Time: Spring through summer and even early in winter (in warmer climates) Height/Width: 6-10 inches/12-18 inches USDA Zone: 5-9 |
6. Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata)
The bloom color can vary from vivid purplish-blue to pale blue. Flowers grow on short stems and often look stem-less. The plant is a good choice for any moist, well-drained soil, growing best in partial shade but able to take full sun as well. Sunlight Requirement: Partial shade to sun Flowering Time: Spring Height/Width: 6-10 inches/12-15 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
7. Blue Leadwood (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
A fast-growing ground cover plant that flowers slightly later than most other similar plants, the flowers are retailed late into fall and after that, the leaves take on a striking burgundy shade that adds to the plant’s value in ornamental gardening. The sun-loving plant does not do well in shade. Sunlight Requirement: Partial sun Flowering Time: Late summer to early/mid-fall Height/Width: 10-18 inches/up to 24 inches USDA Zone: 6-9 |
8. Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’ (Veronica umbrosa ‘Georgia Blue’)
A creeping vine growing blue flowers with a white center; it creates a nice and thick mat of dark evergreen foliage that turns bronze in winter. Sometimes it may bloom for a second time in summer. A good choice for underplanting with flowering bulbs, especially miniature daffodils. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Throughout spring Height/Width: 6-9 inches/15-24 inches USDA Zone: 4-9 |
6 Ground Covers With White Flowers |
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1. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
It grows fast by creeping stems that spread roots along the way and can turn invasive in warm climates unless cut back or mowed. So do not plant unless you can spend some effort to keep it from going out of hand. Does not tolerate much foot traffic. The pretty white daisy-like flowers have a number of health benefits as well. Dried flower heads are used for making chamomile tea. Sunlight Requirement: Full to partial sun Flowering Time: Late spring to summer Height/Width: 6-12 inches/12-15 inches USDA Zone: 4-9 |
2. Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Another creeping plant with small white flowers and the potential to turn invasive unless you plant it in a location where it cannot overpower its companions. During the flowering season, the bright green foliage gets covered in milky white star-shaped flowers. Like chamomile, woodruff also has various medicinal uses. Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade Flowering Time: Mid- to late spring and summer Height/Width: 6-12 inches/9-18 inches USDA Zone: 4-9 |
3. Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
One of the most recognizable ornamental flowers, the nodding bell-shaped blooms look pretty when planted alone, or grouped with colorful flowers like periwinkles, bleeding hearts, and hostas or ferns. It can adjust to full sun or shaded conditions as well. Sunlight Requirement: Partial shade Flowering Time: Spring to early summer Height/Width: 6-12 inches/10-15 inches USDA Zone: 2-8 |
4. Creeping dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
Also known as bunchberry, this plant grows bunches of small red berries around fall, right after the flowers fade. It is a good choice for underplanting and for the front of a shrub border. Single tiny white flowers bracts look like stars in the dark foliage. Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full sun Flowering Time: Mid-/late spring to early summer Height/Width: 6-8 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 2-7 |
5. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Grows quickly in wide areas and can even cascade down slopes and steps. It flowers profusely, covering the foliage, making the plant look like it’s covered in fresh snow. After the flowers dry out, the drought-tolerant fuzzy dark silver-green foliage remains for a long time. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Late spring to early summer Height/Width: 6-12 inches/9-18 inches USDA Zone: 3-7 |
6. Evergreen candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Can grow in various types of well-drained soils, except heavy clay soils as it tends to stay moist in winter. Established plants are rather drought-tolerant. The pure white flowers are fragrant, growing in round clusters, covering the foliage every blooming season. The mounds of glossy foliage make your garden green in winter. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to light shade Flowering Time: Mid-spring to early summer Height/Width: 6-12 inches/12-36 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
8 Ground Covers With Pink Flowers |
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1. Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
An annual plant with striking flowers and a long blooming season, pink moss rose is the most popular with other color varieties including red, white, and yellow. Though basically a sun-loving plant, it can also thrive with some afternoon shade, especially in hot climates. Self-seeding, but does not usually get invasive. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Late spring or early summer to frost Height/Width: 3-9 inches/ 10-24 inches USDA Zone: 2-11 |
2. Creeping Thyme (Thymus varieties)
A hardy creeping plant with gorgeous clusters of soft pink blossoms, it has a number of varieties and cultivars as well, growing white, lavender and blue flowers. Ideal for rock gardens and sidewalk borders for its cascading habit. The thick foliage can tolerate some foot traffic too. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun (of at least 4 hours) Flowering Time: Early/mid-summer to early fall Height/Width: 3-4 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 4-9 |
3. Large-Flowered Barrenwort (Epimedium grandiflorum)
One of the few plants that will thrive in dry shade, its wide heart-shaped leaves are quite showy, but it stays evergreen only in its ideal growing conditions. Might grow as a deciduous plant in regions with moderate weather. It does not grow in the colder regions as it cannot tolerate frost. There are multiple varieties like ‘Sulphureum’, ‘Pierre’s Purple’, and ‘Lilafee’. Sunlight Requirement: Full to partial shade Flowering Time: Spring Height/Width: 10-15 inches/18-24 inches USDA Zone: 5-8 |
4. Bloody Crane’s-bill (Geranium sanguineum)
The small five-petal flowers start as dark pink or magenta, turning violet or lavender as the flowering season advances. The deeply lobed dark green foliage is no less of a striking feature, as it turns rusty red or crimson in fall, adding vibrancy to your fall garden. Looks particularly stunning when grown with some yellow-flowered ground cover, like buttercups. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade Flowering Time: Spring to early summer Height/Width: 12-15 inches/15-24 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
5. Society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)
A striking plant in the garlic family, it needs little care as long as it gets adequate water, though cannot tolerate overwatering. Just keep the soil moist. The fragrant funnel-shaped flowers are retained for the entire summer, and well into fall. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun or partial shade Flowering Time: Spring to fall Height/Width: 12-24 inches /12 inches USDA Zone: 7-10 |
6. Sea thrift (Armeria maritima)
Also known as sea pink, the plants are rather slow-growing with short grass-like leaves. Tiny pale to hot pink flowers grow close together in clusters so they appear to be single round flower heads, like pink marigolds. Suitable for open sunlit areas as they can tolerate poor soils and strong windy conditions. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: All spring Height/Width: 6-12 inches/6-12 inches USDA Zone: 4-8 |
7. Vera Jameson Stonecrop (Sedum ‘Vera Jameson’)
A pink-flowered variety of sedum or stonecrop, this succulent groundcover can grow in various soil types from sandy to clay and anything in between. Evergreen only in warmer places, and true to the nature of stonecrops, its leaves turn a vivid shade of burgundy in winter. In colder northern regions it grows as a deciduous. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Mid-summer to early fall Height/Width: 6-10 inches/12-18 inches USDA Zone: 2-9 |
8. Fairy Crassula (Crassula multicava)
As implied by the name, this evergreen succulent grows tiny pink flowers in clusters along slender stems, giving them a fairy-like appearance. This plant needs space to spread, making it suitable for wider areas in need of a uniform ground cover. Try not to plant for small areas as then it might overrun other plants around it. Sunlight Requirement: Full to partial sun Flowering Time: Late winter to fall, repeated bloom Height/Width: 6-12 inches/12-15 inches USDA Zone: 9-11 |
4 Ground Covers With Red and Orange Flowers |
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1. Dragon’s Blood stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’)
It is named after the characteristic color of both its ruby-red flowers and round fleshy leaves that grow in small rosettes, turning blood red in fall. Clearly, the ornamental value of this plant is not limited to its attractive tiny red flowers. In fact, the flowers do not last very long, and yet the plants remain showy all year round. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Early/mid-summer to mid-fall Height/Width: 3-6 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 3-9 |
2. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
Through red and orange shades are most prominent, impatiens come in other colors like pink, lavender, yellow, and white as well. It is not tolerant to heat and prefers full shade, but can also grow in sunny locations with cool summers. The soft bright flowers create a nice contrast with the dark green variegated foliage. Sunlight Requirement: Full to partial shade Flowering Time: Mid/late spring to fall Height/Width: 9-15 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 10-11 |
3. Sun Rose ‘Henfield Brilliant’ (Helianthemum nummularium ‘Henfield Brilliant’)
The low growing evergreen shrub resembles a bright red to orange carpet during its blooming season. Flowers do not last for over a day but bloom profusely to keep your garden look colorful. Needs regular watering during the first year of growth; established plants are drought tolerant. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Spring to mid-summer Height/Width: 8-12 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 4-9 |
4. African Daisy ‘Marbella’ (Osteospermum ‘Sunadora Hotspots Marbella’)
A rather new hybrid of the stunning African daisy, the bright orange flowers have a dark red center and are perfect for adding a bit of drama to your garden. Can tolerate hot dry conditions and draughts. Grows as a perennial in tropical regions and an annual in cold northern states. Sunlight Requirement: Full sun Flowering Time: Spring Height/Width: 12-15 inches/12-24 inches USDA Zone: 10-11 |
Those growing in the same hardiness zones can be grown in combination to make those open areas in your garden stand out even more. Just keep in mind that plants of similar height look good together. And do not forget to consider their winter appearance too to make sure that the foliage complement one another.
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