Ground Cover Plants: Living Mulch for Beauty & Function

Ground covers are low, spreading plants that form a dense carpet—suppressing weeds, conserving moisture, preventing erosion, and adding texture. They’re problem-solvers for slopes, shady areas, tree roots, and lawn alternatives.

Benefits

• Weed suppression via dense growth and shading.
• Erosion control on slopes and banks.
• Soil insulation: cooler in summer, warmer in winter.
• Living mulch: builds organic matter, hosts beneficial insects.
• Reduced mowing, watering, fertilizing vs. turf.
• Edible/medicinal options: strawberry, thyme, oregano, wintergreen.

Potential Drawbacks

• Can harbor slugs, snails, rodents.
• Compete with nearby plants for water/nutrients.
• Aggressive spreaders (e.g., English ivy, vinca, bishop’s weed) may invade beds.
• Establishment phase requires weeding until coverage completes.

Selection by Condition

Sun & Drought Tolerant

• Creeping thyme, sedum/stonecrop, ice plant, creeping phlox, woolly yarrow, lamb’s ears, blue fescue.

Shade Lovers

• Pachysandra, vinca minor, sweet woodruff, barrenwort, wild ginger, foamflower, ajuga, liriope.

Moist/Rain Garden

• Creeping jenny, marsh marigold, cardinal flower, obedient plant, sedges.

Foot Traffic Tolerant

• Creeping thyme, corsican mint, brass buttons, roman chamomile, dichondra.

Planting & Establishment

• Space per mature spread (6–18 inches). Stagger rows for faster fill.
• Amend soil with compost; water regularly first season.
• Mulch between plants until they knit.
• Fertilize lightly in spring.

Maintenance

• Edge annually to contain spread.
• Shear vigorous types after bloom to rejuvenate.
• Divide every 3–5 years if centers die out.