Ground cover plants are all-round problem solvers: they store moisture, control erosion and provide living space for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. While grass is usually the best way to fill empty space, low-growing plants are sometimes a better - and more beautiful - option. There are so many options to choose from, including old favorites like Pachysandra and Vinca, as well as small shrubs, perennials, and annuals.
Follow the directions on the plant care label to make sure your ground covers do the job (you know you're beautifying your landscape) to create the right conditions. For your information: full sun means that an area receives more than 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, partial sun 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight and full shade up to 3 hours of sun. If you're planting a shrub or perennial that you want to keep from year to year, make sure it's suitable for your USDA hardiness zone (find yours here). And keep in mind that although these ground cover plants are extremely tolerant, they need to be watered for the first year or two during the dry spells until their root systems are well established.
20 Best Ground Cover Plants and Flowers
Lily of the valley
While it may be one of the hardest (um, tolerant) plants out there, lily of the valley looks as sweet as it can get when sweet white bells dangle from green strappy leaves. This sweet-smelling perennial spreads easily. So keep them at bay by planting them in well-kept areas such as on sidewalks or near the foundation of the house. It prefers full shade, but tolerates some morning sun.
How to Care For a Weeping Cherry TreeDead nettle
The dead nettle, also known as lamium, is a low-growing perennial with silver-spattered leaves and purple, pink, or white flowers that appear in spring and early summer. It prefers shade, but tolerates some sun.
You may not think of oregano as ground cover, but this herb forms dense clumps of fragrant foliage. In full sun, this green herb grows small flowers in summer and attracts many pollinators. Snap something to a boil or leave it cut back to control its height.
Choose from an annual or perennial strain and watch charming daisy-like flowers bloom in this bushy plant. It likes full sun and requires regular cuts to prevent it from taking over the yard. Fun bonus: The flowers, either fresh or dried, can be used in salads or soaked in teas.
Siberian cypress
This cold-resistant evergreen comes from Siberia and has fern-like foliage that takes on a fairly bronze color in colder climates. Try to plant it in large groups on a hill or along the foundation of the house to prevent erosion. It likes full sun.
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