If you would like to replace your high-maintenance lawn, check out these 5 best low maintenance ground covers that are hardy and easy to grow.
Ground covers are beneficial both to the landowner and the environment. These plants will look great with very little effort, help prevent soil erosion and weed growth, and will thrive indefinitely without re-planting.
There’s a wide variety of ground covers, including those that hold up well under foot traffic, those that produce blooms and fragrance, and those that attract pollinators. Check these out and plant your favorite today.
1. Basket Of Gold
This hardy ground cover is an evergreen perennial that will produce masses of yellow blooms in the spring. Early pollinators will be attracted to the sun-reflecting yellow blooms.
Hardy in growing zones 3-8. This ground cover thrives in full sun and dry soil.
Plants will reach 10-inches (25 cm) high and have a spread of about 10-inches (25 cm). Basket Of Gold will spread quickly and can be kept neat by mowing once, immediately after it finishes blooming.
2. Liverleaf
This ground cover has waxy green leaves most of the year but In summer, the leaves develop burgundy mottling before changing to complete burgundy. The color is reminiscent of liver and that’s where the plant’s name comes from.
Liverleaf grows best in partial shade, re-seeds itself, and produces blooms in the spring in colors of white, pink, and lavender. Hardy in zones 3-8.
3. Mother Of Thyme
This fragrant, colorful ground cover is ideal for growing in a landscape area that has foot traffic. It’s hardy, easy to grow, and will quickly spread to fill in an empty spot of ground. It’s drought-tolerant, cold hardy, and thrives when planted in full sun.
Also known as Creeping Thyme, this plant grows into a thick mat of deep green leaves and will remain green year-round. The rosy-purple blooms cover the plant from spring through mid-summer. The blooms are fragrant and attract pollinators.
4. Phlox
This ground cover is a springtime superstar. The masses of tiny purple blooms can be seen on hillsides, spilling over rock walls, and filling in gaps in spring flower beds. Hardy in zones 3-9.
Phlox grows well in full sun and poor soil. The ground cover will remain green throughout the summer. Mow immediately after plants finish blooming and water during times of prolonged drought.
5. Sweet Woodruff
This aromatic herb is hardy and easy to grow as a ground cover. Ideal for growing in a dry, shady location like under trees. When grown in moist soil, Sweet Woodruff can become invasive.
Sweet Woodruff reaches 12-inches (30 cm) high and spreads 18-inches (45 cm). Fragrant white blooms appear in the spring. The flowers are easy to dry and great to use in potpourri mixes. Hardy in zone 4-8.
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