Ground Cover Plants

More About Ground Cover Plants

Choosing the Right Ground Cover for Your Garden

Evergreen ground cover plants are ideal where year round structure is important, keeping soil protected through winter and providing continuity in borders. Flowering groundcover plants are perfect for adding colour, with many varieties blooming across spring and summer while still offering excellent ground coverage.
For difficult areas such as slopes, dry banks, or awkward gaps between shrubs, ground coverage plants stabilise the soil and reduce erosion. In rose beds, ground cover roses help retain moisture and suppress weeds, creating the ideal environment for healthy growth.
Light levels also matter. Some ground cover plants thrive in full sun, while others excel as ground cover for plants growing in shade beneath trees and shrubs. Most varieties are adaptable and forgiving, making them an excellent choice for newer gardeners looking for reliable results without complexity.

Planting and Caring for Ground Cover Plants

Planting ground cover plants is straightforward and rewarding. Prepare the soil well by removing weeds and improving drainage if needed. Space plants according to their eventual spread, allowing room for them to knit together over time. Water thoroughly after planting and during the first growing season while roots establish.
Once settled, ground cover plants are remarkably low maintenance. Their dense growth naturally reduces weed competition, while many varieties require little to no pruning. Occasional trimming can be used to keep edges neat or encourage fresh growth. Adding a mulch in spring helps conserve moisture and further improves soil structure.
Ground cover roses benefit from light feeding in spring and the removal of spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering. Beyond that, they largely look after themselves, offering long lasting colour and dependable coverage with minimal effort.
Whether filling bare patches, softening borders, supporting roses, or creating a cohesive planting scheme, ground cover plants provide one of the most practical and visually rewarding solutions in the garden. With a carefully chosen selection, it is easy to achieve attractive, low effort ground cover that works hard in every season.