Groundcovers for a Low-Maintenance Garden

Groundcovers for a Low-Maintenance Garden are perfect for busy gardeners who want to add some greenery without the hassle.

Creeping Thyme is a low-growing groundcover that only needs to be watered once a week, making it ideal for areas with poor soil.

It's also a great option for areas with high foot traffic, as it can withstand being walked on and still look great.

Creeping Thyme can grow up to 1 inch tall and spread up to 12 inches wide, making it a great option for filling in gaps between pavers or stones.

Sedum is another low-maintenance groundcover that can thrive in poor soil and only needs to be watered once a month.

It's also drought-tolerant, making it perfect for areas with low rainfall.

Sedum comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tall and upright to low-growing and spreading.

Vinca minor, also known as Periwinkle, is a fast-spreading groundcover that can grow up to 6 inches tall and spread up to 12 inches wide.

It's also a great option for areas with poor soil and can thrive in partial shade.

Vinca minor is also a great option for areas with high foot traffic, as it can withstand being walked on and still look great.

Choosing the right groundcover for your garden can be a bit overwhelming with all the options available. Success is more likely when you choose plants that suit the current site conditions, instead of trying to change conditions to meet the needs of particular plants.

Consider the amount of sunlight your garden receives and choose groundcovers that can thrive in those conditions. For example, an area that tends to stay damp can be planted with species tolerant of wet soils.

To ensure your groundcover is effective, look for plants that can suppress weeds by outcompeting them for resources like light, moisture, and nutrients. This will save you time and effort in the long run.

Here are some factors to consider when selecting groundcovers:

By considering these factors and choosing the right groundcover for your garden, you'll be able to enjoy the many benefits of groundcovers, including reduced maintenance and increased biodiversity.

Choosing the right groundcover can be a game-changer for your garden. By using groundcovers, you can suppress weeds by outcompeting them for resources like light, moisture, and nutrients.

Groundcovers are also effective at stabilizing soil on slopes and preventing erosion caused by wind and water runoff. This is especially important in areas with heavy rainfall or steep terrain.

One of the best things about groundcovers is that they can retain soil moisture, reducing evaporation and the need for frequent watering. This can lead to better water conservation and a healthier garden.

In addition to these benefits, groundcovers can also enrich the soil with organic matter as they decay and decompose. This process can enhance your garden's underlying fertility and structure.

Some groundcovers are low-maintenance, requiring less care than traditional lawns and rock gardens. They can also provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to lawns or bare soil.

Here are some key benefits of using groundcovers in your garden:

By choosing the right groundcover for your garden, you can enjoy these benefits and create a beautiful, thriving outdoor space.

To select the right groundcover, choose plants that suit your existing site conditions. This increases the chances of success, rather than trying to change conditions to meet the needs of specific plants.

Most groundcovers are chosen for their sprawling, spreading, or creeping growth habit and relatively short mature height. This characteristic helps them thrive in a variety of settings.

An area that tends to stay damp can be planted with species tolerant of wet soils. Attempting to improve drainage using soil amendments or altering drainage patterns of the landscape may not be necessary.

If this caught your attention, see: Groundcovers Plants

Be flexible with plant spacing, as it greatly depends on the species chosen. Fast-growing specimens will need more space to accommodate their mature size, and aggressive spread can be kept in balance by mixing them with another vigorous spreader.

The advantage of beginning a planting with close spacing is a faster coverage of open ground, creating less opportunity for erosion or weed colonization.

However, close spacing also increases the risk of plant diseases if air circulation is poor or conditions stay wet, and individual plants may decline due to too much competition.

You can mix fast-growing specimens with other vigorous spreaders to keep aggressive spread in balance.

Here are some key considerations for plant spacing:

When choosing the right plant size for your garden, consider the mature size of the specimen and the space it will need to thrive. Fast-growing plants will require more space to accommodate their mature size.

Plants that are too large for their planting space can become leggy and weak, making them more susceptible to disease. To avoid this, opt for young sizes of groundcover plants where possible.

Younger plants like plugs are easier to fit into small planting holes and are relatively inexpensive. In fact, plugs are older than seedlings but younger than most nursery-sized potted plants.

Direct sowing seed can be tricky, as seedlings can be difficult to differentiate from weed seedlings. Instead, sow seed into containers and move transplants into the ground as they grow large enough to identify.

Here are some options to consider when choosing plant size:

Weed removal is a crucial step in creating a competition-free planting site. Removing weeds after groundcover installation will be challenging, and weed competition with the desirable plants can hamper their establishment.

To eliminate weeds, you can smother pre-existing weeds with a light-blocking cover, such as landscape fabric or cardboard. This will help prevent new weeds from growing.

If you're planting groundcovers to replace areas of lawn, it's simplest to remove the sod before planting, rather than adding plants to existing lawn. This will give your new groundcovers a head start in establishing themselves.

Here are some tips for removing weeds:

By taking these steps, you'll be able to create a weed-free environment for your groundcovers to thrive.

Watering is a crucial part of plant care, especially during dry weather.

Monitor your plants regularly to ensure they're not competing with tree roots for water.

Feel the soil a few inches deep to check its moisture level, and water when it's mostly dry to the touch.

This simple check can make a big difference in keeping your plants healthy and thriving.

Groundcovers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but some species are more adaptable than others. Creeping juniper, for instance, grows 6 to 15 inches tall and can thrive in full sun with dozens of cultivars available.

Some groundcovers, like creeping thyme and sedum, love full sun and well-drained soil areas. They're perfect for sunny spots and can withstand minimal maintenance. Creeping Jenny and ice plants are also great options for areas with full sun.

If you're looking for groundcovers that can handle shade, consider hostas, ajuga, vinca minor, and pachysandra. They thrive in low-light, partial-shade, or full-shade conditions.

Consider reading: Shade Groundcovers

Planting a variety of groundcover species is a great way to create a resilient and wildlife-friendly garden. This approach can help prevent drifts of one plant type that are more susceptible to problems.

Using multiple species can support a wider range of wildlife, add seasonal interest, and help the planting as a whole withstand pests, diseases, or weather stress. Not every species in a mixed planting will be equally affected by these challenges.

A mixed planting can also benefit pollinators like ground-nesting solitary bees, which create burrows in the soil between plants.

Native groundcovers are a great option for Maryland gardens, but it's essential to note that these lists aren't exhaustive and may not tolerate all conditions.

Some species are naturally more restricted in their range within Maryland than others, and might not tolerate summer heat or winter cold equally well in all areas.

To better predict which species should thrive in your area, research where species tend to grow within the mid-Atlantic, such as coastal plain, piedmont, or mountain ecological zones.

Species that are hard to find in local nurseries may be available through online nursery sources that specialize in supplying native or uncommon plants.

An asterisk* indicates species that are more readily available in local garden centers.

For another approach, see: Florida Native Groundcovers

Moss Phlox is a low-growing, carpet-like groundcover that's perfect for sunny areas. Its dense mats of foliage are formed by narrow, stiff, and needle-like leaves that are only 4 to 6 inches tall.

Moss phlox is native to eastern North America, including parts of Iowa. It's easy to grow and performs best in well-drained soils. Flower colors include white, pink, red, blue, or purple.

The brightly colored flowers of moss phlox are a familiar spring sight in Iowa. Moss phlox is a great choice for areas with moderate traffic, as it's tough enough to stand up to occasional foot traffic.

For areas with part to full shade, medium moisture, and moderately fertile soils, you'll want to consider groundcovers that can thrive in these conditions. One option is the Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), which is a semi-evergreen with edible berries that may go summer-dormant in high heat.

Other suitable options include the Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum), which has an aggressive rhizome spread, and the Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata), which is a semi-evergreen with fragrant flowers.

If you're looking for something a bit more unusual, consider the Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia or stolonifera), which has a rhizome spread that varies between species and subspecies. Its delicate white flowers are a nice bonus.

Here are some additional options to consider:

These groundcovers are all relatively low-maintenance and can add a nice touch to your shaded areas. Just be sure to choose the right species for your specific conditions and needs.

The Sale section is where you'll find some amazing deals on groundcovers. Bulb is the least expensive option, with only 7 varieties available.

If you're looking for flowering groundcovers, you'll have a wide range to choose from, with 215 options. Foliage is another popular choice, with 98 varieties to consider.

If you're short on time, you might want to opt for a succulent, which requires minimal maintenance and comes in 37 varieties. Some succulents are even deer resistant, making them a great choice for gardeners with wildlife concerns.

If you're new to gardening, you might want to start with a beginner-friendly groundcover, of which there are 95 options available. Many of these are also drought tolerant, making them perfect for hot and dry climates.

Groundcovers can thrive in various locations, such as between steppingstones, on slopes, or at garden borders. They can even prevent erosion under trees.

You can use groundcovers to inhibit grass growth, making them a great option for areas where a traditional lawn might not be practical. I've seen it work wonders in areas with poor soil or heavy foot traffic.

To avoid plant damage, it's essential to maintain a pathway that's mulched or paved through areas frequently traveled. This will help prevent stems from breaking and roots from tolerating soil compaction.

When evaluating a site for groundcover placement, it's essential to consider the conditions that will affect your plants' growth and survival.

Exposure to sunlight during the growing season can either make or break your plants. Too much sun can stress shade-adapted plants, while too little can weaken sun-adapted ones. A daily total of six or more hours of direct summer sunlight is considered full sun.

Soil drainage and moisture are also crucial factors to evaluate. Nearby plants can compete for water and nutrients, and soil type can either drain excess water or hold onto it, affecting the amount of moisture available to your plants.

Browsing risk from deer or rabbits can also impact your groundcover selection. If you live in an area with high deer or rabbit populations, you'll want to choose plants that are less susceptible to browsing.

Here are some examples of plants that thrive in different conditions:

These conditions and plant examples will help you make informed decisions when selecting groundcovers for your site.

When choosing the perfect spot for your groundcovers, consider areas where weeds tend to grow, such as between steppingstones. You can use groundcovers to prevent erosion under trees, inhibit grass growth, and serve as a more pollinator-friendly lawn alternative.

Groundcovers are perfect for slopes or garden borders, where they can stabilize soil and prevent erosion caused by wind and water runoff. They can also add a pop of color and texture to your outdoor space.

For areas with high traffic, it's best to use groundcovers that are tough enough to withstand foot traffic. However, even the toughest grass will be worn down by too much foot traffic, so consider using Sustainable Lawns or creating pathways with mulched or paved surfaces.

Some great options for low-traffic areas include moss sandwort, rockrose, and creeping stonecrop, which offer exceptional color, form, and texture to enhance your garden design.

Here are some areas where you can use groundcovers:

Note: Always consider the specific needs of your groundcovers, including soil type, sun exposure, and water needs, to ensure they thrive in their new home.

When you're looking for groundcovers that thrive in acid soils near spruce, fir, and pines, you've got several great options.

Bunchberry (Chamaepericlymenum canadense) is a great choice for these conditions. It's a low-growing, evergreen groundcover that's perfect for shady areas.

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is another great option for acid soils and shade. It's a slow-spreading groundcover that prefers moist to dry conditions.

If you're looking for something a bit more dramatic, consider Large-leaved wood-aster (Eurybia macrophylla) or White wood-aster (Symphyotrichum divaricatus). Both of these groundcovers have beautiful foliage and can handle a range of moisture levels.

Here are some other options for part shade, moist to dry acid soils near spruce, fir, and pines:

If you have high traffic areas in your yard, consider planting high-traffic groundcovers. These plants can handle more foot traffic and form dense mats of foliage that fill in the spaces between pavers and perennials.

Some popular high-traffic groundcovers include Creeping Golden Buttons, Thyme Leaf Speedwell, and Creeping Thyme, which are all known for their durability and ability to thrive in busy areas.

For areas with moderate traffic, look for plants that offer more blooms than high-traffic groundcovers. Examples of moderate traffic groundcovers include Hardy Plumbago and Giant Flowered Soapwort, which can tolerate occasional traffic and more activity along the edges of a garden.

Here are some options for high-traffic and moderate traffic groundcovers, categorized by their durability:

Limiting Spread is a crucial aspect of groundcover durability. You can limit the spread of aggressive groundcovers by digging or dividing clumps to move them into other areas.

Using garden edging is a simple yet effective way to keep rhizomatous groundcovers from invading the turf. This can be done by lining a planting bed adjacent to the lawn with edging.

By taking these steps, you can prevent groundcovers from taking over your lawn and maintain a healthy balance between your plants and grass.

Non-native groundcovers can be a great option for durability, but it's essential to choose species that won't spread into local natural areas. A few species on this list are regionally native to parts of the eastern U.S., but don't naturally grow wild in Maryland.

Related reading: Native Groundcovers

Some non-native groundcovers are hard to find in local nurseries, but can be sourced through online nursery suppliers. An asterisk* indicates species that are more readily available in local garden centers.

Here are a few non-native groundcovers that are worth considering:

If you're looking for a low-maintenance option, consider Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), Irish Moss (Sagina subulata), or Scotch Moss (Sagina subulata ‘Aurea’). These species are all low deer browse risk and have a rhizome spread.

If you have areas of your yard that get a lot of foot traffic, you'll want to choose groundcovers that can withstand it. High-traffic groundcovers can handle being walked on, and they'll even fill in the spaces between your pavers and perennials to knit together your garden.

Some of the most durable groundcovers for high traffic include Creeping Golden Buttons, Thyme Leaf Speedwell, Snow-in-Summer, Creeping Thyme, Wooly Speedwell, and Turkish Speedwell. These plants form dense mats of foliage that will hold up well to frequent foot traffic.

For areas where you want to be able to walk or play with kids or pets, consider using stepping stones, flagstone, slate pieces, or crushed stone to provide a hard, highly durable surface for the paths and walkways in your yard.

Here are some of the top picks for high-traffic groundcovers:

For areas with low traffic, such as flower beds and gardens, you'll want to choose groundcover perennials that can thrive without being stepped on. These plants offer exceptional color, form, and texture to enhance your garden design.

Moss Sandwort (Arenaria Wallowa Mts.) is a great option, as it's a native plant that can add a delicate touch to your garden. Its low-growing habit and small flowers make it perfect for areas with limited foot traffic.

Rockrose (Helianthemum cultivars) is another great choice, known for its beautiful flowers that add a pop of color to your garden. These plants are not only beautiful, but they're also relatively low maintenance.

Some groundcovers, like Cold Hardy Ice Plant (Delosperma) and Mother of Thyme (Thymus serphyllum 'Coccineum'), are even BESTSELLERS due to their hardiness and low maintenance requirements. These plants are perfect for areas with low traffic and can thrive in a variety of conditions.

Creeping Stonecrop (Sedum) is a lovely option for adding texture to your garden, with its succulent foliage providing a unique touch. Just be aware that its foliage can be damaged by foot traffic, so it's best to place it in areas with limited footfall.

Here are some low-traffic groundcover perennials to consider:

If you're looking for more options, here are a few other groundcovers you might consider.

Mazus (Mazus reptans) is a low-growing option, reaching only 3 to 6 inches tall.

Spotted Cinquefoil (Potentilla neumanniana) is another compact choice, also growing to be around 3 to 6 inches tall.

If you're looking for something a bit taller, Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) and Cranesbill (Geranium cantabrigiense) both grow to be around 6 to 12 inches tall.

Consider reading: Groundcovers for Shade Zone 6

If you want to go with a taller option that's also native to North America, Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) is a good choice, growing to be 8 to 12 inches tall and originating from North America.

Here are some other options to consider: