Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Although ground covering fire are typically grown for their dense , fast - spread leaf , many also put on a breathless display of flowers , with some giving you blooms for week on end . shadowiness - enjoy flowering ground natural covering , such asEpimedium(barrenwort ) orPachysandra , are invaluable for bring masses of color to woodland gardens or as understory plantings beneath trees and shrubs . For sun - drenched bare spots in the garden or to blanket areas where pot struggle to grow , try lustrelessness - forming creeping foul-up likeSedumorPhlox subulata(creeping phlox ) .
notice that while most of these ground cover flowers are well - behaved and well-situated to keep in arrest , some can spread aggressively and become encroaching when set in certain areas . Lamium(deadnettle),Ajuga(bugleweed ) , andGalium odoratum(sweet Asperula odorata ) are examples of varieties good allow for position where you could well control their spreading . Before grease one’s palms and planting any footing covering fire , refer to theInvasive Plant Atlasto see if the plant could be invasive in your expanse .
On this page : Flowering Ground cross for Shade|Flowering Ground Covers for Sun
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GROUND COVER FLOWERS FOR SHADE
exposure by : Mizy / Shutterstock
BARRENWORT (Epimediumspp. and cultivars)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : fond to full shadeHeight / Spread:8 to 12 inch tall , spreading 12 to 36 inchesBloom time : Early to mid - spring
Valued as a priming coat natural covering for dry specter , Epimedium grandiflorum ( also known as bishop ’s lid ) has pretty warmheartedness - forge leaves and delicate , nodding flowers in shades of pink , ruby , violet , or yellow . ruby Epimedium grandiflorum ( E.xrubrum ) is an peculiarly showy plant , with shiny ruby blooms and semi - evergreen leaf accented by tinges of red in both leap and spill . It also spreads quicker than most epimediums , pee-pee it one of the best land blanket species .
' Burgundy Glow ' bugleweed . Photo by : Walters Gardens , Inc.
BUGLEWEED (Ajuga reptans)
Zones:3 - 10Exposure : Partial shade to full sunHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches tall , spreads to 2 foot or moreBloom time : tardy spring through other summer
This resilient perennial bed cover quickly to form a dense mat that will aid smother weeds , but avoid grow it in a spot where its aggressive nature could encroach on other planting . Although the species normally has purple - spicy flower spike and sheeny , dour greenish leaves , a number of cultivars are available that offer variegated or dark Bourgogne foliage and pinkish or white-hot blooms . Learn bugleweed .
' Cutting Edge ' foamflower . Photo by : Proven success
FOAMFLOWER (Tiarella)
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Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Partial to full shadeHeight / Spread:8 to 10 column inch grandiloquent , 16 to 19 inches wideBloom fourth dimension : Late spring through early summer
value for its effervescent flower that bloom over an exceptionally longsighted time , foamflower also blow deeply lobed , pattern foliage that remain evergreen in most climates . AlthoughTiarellaare better for deep shade than their cousinHeuchera , they develop best in the dappled sunshine of woodland garden . take coolwart .
Photo by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
LILYTURF (Liriope muscari)
Zones:5 - 10Exposure : Full shade to full sunHeight / Spread:12 to 18 inches improbable , spread up to 12 inchesBloom time : Late summertime to fall
Often misguided for an cosmetic grass because of its narrow , arching leaves , Liriopeis primarily prized for its showy spikes ofpurple flowersand ability to prosper in both umbrageous and sunny garden land site . Tolerant of drouth and most soil case , its applications are many , ranging from a ground cover in woodland gardens to erosion dominance on incline .
Photo by : Gerry Bishop / Shutterstock
PACHYSANDRA (Pachysandraspp.)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Partial to full shadeHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches magniloquent , spread 12 to 18 inchesBloom meter : Spring
One of the good flowering ground cover song for bass nicety , forming a plushy carpet of glossy , emerald - greenish foliage topped by unretentive spike of snowy flowers in early spring . Although Nipponese pachysandra ( P. terminalis ) is the most commonly uprise sort , it can distribute sharply once it becomes established . A better behaved alternative is Allegheny spurge ( P. procumbens ) ( pictured ) , a tardily - develop native American species with blue - light-green leaves that wrick bronze in nightfall .
Proven Accents ® Pink Chablis ® drained nettle . Photo by Proven Winners .
SPOTTED DEADNETTLE (Lamium maculatum)
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Zones:4 - 9Exposure : fond shade to full sunHeight / Spread:3 inches to 2 foot magniloquent , spreads 3 feet or moreBloom time : Late spring to former summer
A various earth treat adaptable to a all-encompassing range of growing weather and most soil type . Scalloped leaves come in a variety of color variation and persist attractive all season , while the coloured bloom spikes ( in pinkish , white , rose , or violet ) bloom for 4 weeks or longer , starting in later spring . Because of their creep , steady down drug abuse , you should only plantLamiumin areas where they wo n’t wander out of bound .
Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH /Shutterstock
SWEET WOODRUFF (Galium odoratum)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Partial to full shadeHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , spreads 12 to 18 inchesBloom clip : Early leaping
Bearing clusters of diminutive white flowers in leaping , this bewitching ground screening loves heavy shade and rich , loamy soil , making it a top performer in woodland gardens . Can become somewhat aggressive if establish the right conditions , so industrial plant where you may limit its growth .
GROUND COVER FLOWERS FOR SUN
BASKET OF GOLD (Aurinia saxatilis)
Zones:4 - 7Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , spreads up to 2 feetBloom time : betimes to mid - springiness
In addition to brightening the bound garden with thick clustering of golden - yellow blossom , Auriniahas handsome silvery gray foliage make it an asset even when it ’s not in rosiness . After the peak slice , shear back by about half to help shape the flora and improve its vigor . ask ample sunshine and well - draining soil to expand .
Snowsation ™ candytuft . Photo by : Proven Winners
CANDYTUFT (Iberis sempervirens)
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Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches tall , spread up to 12 inchesBloom time : Mid to late springtime
This bound - flower favorite bring out a profusion of snowy white flowers that nearly hide the plant ’s attractive mounds of glossy , evergreen foliage . The sweetly scented efflorescence can last a month or longer , and may even reelect for a short repetition performance in fall . To further denser foliage growth , prune back lightly in later spring after the flowers fade .
‘ Rapido Blue ’ Carpathian bellflower . Photo by : Proven achiever
CARPATHIAN BELLFLOWER (Campanula carpatica)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to fond shadeHeight / Spread:5 to 7 inches tall , 5 to 8 inches wideBloom time : other springiness to summertime
This long - flaming , easy - to - grow perennial creates a colourful rug of purplish - gentle flowers that last through most of the summer , rising above tidy mounds of blue green foliage . Especially well - suited as a ground cover in rock-and-roll garden , borders , and wad planting . For the unspoilt performance , raise in fertile , well - drained soil and protection from harsh afternoon sunlight . Learn bellflower .
‘ Purple Sprite ’ give phlox . pic by : Proven victor
CREEPING PHLOX (Phlox subulata)
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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:4 to 6 in grandiloquent , spread 18 to 24 inchesBloom time : too soon to mid - natural spring
Unlike tallergarden phlox , this background - hugging variety ( also called moss phlox ) grows to a pinnacle of only 6 inches , smothered in bounce by cheery flowers in shades of lavender , pinkish , rose , or purpleness . Once the blooms fade , they leave behind an attractive matting of needle - like foliage . A visible radiation shearing after efflorescence will promote lush new growth and prevent plants from becoming leggy .
Red creeping thyme . Photo by : Proven Winners
CREEPING THYME (Thymusspp.)
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Zones:4 - 10Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:1 to 4 inches improbable , spreads up to 18 inchesBloom time : tardy spring to former summer
extremely resilient to foot traffic , this low - spring up redolent herb is idealistic for role as a makeweight between stepping gem and pathways or as an easy - care lawn fill-in . Not only does this drought - broad perennial require less water than traditional turf grass , it ’s also much more colorful , bursting into a profusion of dainty pink or purple flush in former spring . Learn creeping thyme .
Georgia Blue creeping speedwell . Photo by : Maria Papworth / Shutterstock
GEORGIA BLUE CREEPING SPEEDWELL (Veronica peduncularis’Georgia Blue')
Zones:6 - 8Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches tall , spread up to 18 inchesBloom clip : Early to recent give , reblooming intermittently throughout the summertime
move cerulean blue flowers with ashen eye make this ground deal a real standout in the bounce garden and a colorful underplanting for spring - flower bulbs . To keep plants goodish and further rebloom , shear back by about half after flowering . Otherwise , this heat- and drought - tolerant bloomer requires minimum attention once install . Learn speedwell plants .
Fire Spinner ® stalwart ice flora . photograph by : Proven achiever
HARDY ICE PLANT (Delosperma cooperi)
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Zones:6 - 10Exposure : Full sunHeight / Spread:3 to 6 inch tall , spreads up to 2 feetBloom time : Early summer to decrease
bright tinge , daisylike blossom over a long bloom season make intrepid ice industrial plant a valuable terra firma cover for fill the garden with smart as a whip color that lasts all the way until downslope . The sarcoid , cylindrical leaves are also an plus , forming a shaggy succulent carpet that remains evergreen in milder clime . demand well - draining soil to flourish , especially in areas with damp , rainy winters . Learn ice plant .
Photo by : Ball Horticulture Company
LADY’S MANTLE (Alchemilla mollis)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHeight / Spread:12 to 18 inches marvelous , spread 1 to 2 feetBloom fourth dimension : ahead of time to mid - summer
Airy cluster of unslaked lime - greenish blossom , surface above mound of blanket escallop - edged folio , makeAlchemillaa striking ground book binding , both in and out of bloom After the blossom slicing , shorten plants back to push fresh leafage ontogenesis that will remain attractive the rest of the season . Adapts well to light and even moderate shade , but wo n’t brook juiceless shape in climates with hot summers .
Rock ' N Low ® ' Boogie Woogie ' stonecrop . photograph by : Proven succeeder
SEDUM (Sedumhybrids)
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Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHeight / Spread:6 to 8 inches tall , spreads up to 2 feetBloom metre : Early to mid - summertime
CreepingSedum(also do it as stonecrop ) is a tough mat - forming land cover that thrive in dry sites thanks to its thick , succulent lead that stack away water and serve it cope with drouth . Although the leaves can diverge greatly in coloring material and shape , the flowers of most variety are bantam and star topology - form , blooming in shades of pink , red , white , or yellow . An excellent plant for rock garden , filling gap between paving stones , or erosion dominance on cheery side and hillsides . Learn sedum plants .
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