Make your UK garden stand out with these 9 ground covers

Posted on 15/05/2025

Make Your UK Garden Stand Out with These 9 Ground Covers

Keeping a garden vibrant and attractive is not just about planting towering trees and colorful flowers. Ground covers play a pivotal role in transforming your garden into a lush and picturesque paradise. Ground covers offer practical benefits like weed suppression and soil retention, while also providing aesthetic beauty to your gardening landscape. Let's delve into the top 9 ground covers that will make your UK garden truly stand out.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme is not just an eye-pleaser with its delicate purple flowers, but it's also a practical choice for your UK garden. This ground cover is drought-resistant and can thrive in poor soil conditions, making it low-maintenance.

• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy soil
• Benefits: Aromatic leaves, attracts pollinators

2. Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata)

For a splash of color in early spring, Moss Phlox is an excellent choice. It forms a dense mat of green foliage topped with vibrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.

• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
• Benefits: Excellent for erosion control on slopes

3. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Known for its charming blue flowers, Periwinkle is a hardy ground cover that can tolerate a large range of conditions, from deep shade to full sun.

• Sun Exposure: Partial Sun to Shade
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil
• Benefits: Effective weed suppressor

4. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

The vibrant blue flower spikes of Bugleweed make it a popular choice in UK gardens. Besides its visual appeal, it is incredibly easy to grow and spreads quickly.

• Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil
• Benefits: Offers appealing foliage colors

5. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)

If you are looking for a ground cover suited for shade, Japanese Spurge is ideal. This evergreen plant maintains its lush appearance throughout the year.

• Sun Exposure: Shade
• Soil Type: Acidic, well-drained soil
• Benefits: Remains green year-round

6. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum, or stonecrop, is a succulent ground cover that is incredibly drought-tolerant, making it perfect for drier areas of your garden.

• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained, rich in gravel or sand
• Benefits: Wide variety of colors and sizes

7. Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Known for its soft, woolly leaves, Lamb's Ear is a unique ground cover that adds texture to your garden. It's particularly good around pathways.

• Sun Exposure: Full Sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained soil
• Benefits: Great tactile plant for kids

8. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet Woodruff is a shade-tolerant plant with a sweet scent, especially when its star-shaped leaves are crushed.

• Sun Exposure: Partial to Full Shade
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil
• Benefits: Aromatic with white spring flowers

9. Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)

With its variegated leaves and bright flowers, Deadnettle can brighten any shaded area of your garden. It offers a long flowering season from spring through summer.

• Sun Exposure: Partial Sun to Shade
• Soil Type: Well-drained, rich soil
• Benefits: Offers variegated leaves for visual interest

Enhancing Your UK Garden with Ground Covers

Incorporating the right ground covers into your UK garden can create a tapestry of color and texture. These plants not only enhance the visual appeal of your outdoor spaces but also play functional roles such as protecting the soil and preventing weed growth. By carefully selecting a variety of ground covers suited for different garden conditions, you can ensure that your landscape remains a thriving and impressive showcase all year round.

Bonus Tips for Garden Success:

• Combine Different Textures: Mix ground covers with contrasting leaf shapes and sizes for visual interest.
• Consider Seasonal Changes: Choose a mix of evergreen and deciduous ground covers for year-round appeal.
• Think About Height: Some ground covers are low-growing while others are taller; mix them to create depth in your design.

By following these tips and choosing the right plants, you can ensure your UK garden becomes a stunning sanctuary, perfect for relaxation and admiration.