13 Beautiful Ground Cover Plants That Keep the Weeds Away

 

Lush green grass looks beautiful in any landscape, but it can require a lot of maintenance. Ground cover plants are the perfect solution if you want something that's easier to care for but doesn't sacrifice curb appeal. These low growers are low-maintenance, choke out weeds, control erosion on slopes, fill in areas where grass won't grow, and protect the roots of neighboring plants. No matter your landscape needs, ground cover plants offer a quick fix—and their cool colors and attractive textures mean they look great, too. Ahead, gardening experts share their picks for the best ground cover plants to grow in your garden

A fast-growing and dense ground cover option, bugleweed (Ajuga) has deep green-and-chocolate-brown leaves that form an effective barrier against weeds. To plant bugleweed, wait until your last frost, then dig holes just deep enough for the root ball, leaving about 8 inches of space between each perennial. Loosen the roots and place the ball into the ground, packing in the soil as you go. Once planted, thoroughly water the site. Every third year, bugleweed will need pruning so it doesn't grow invasively.

Stonecrop (Sedum) encompasses a large group of plants, but the low-growing varieties work well as ground covers. The low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant requires water at the time of planting and whenever the top 2 inches of soil are dry. To plant stonecrop, dig a hole just deep enough for the top of the root ball to be level with the soil's surface then fill in the surroundings. The variety you've chosen will dictate the distance between each root ball, so consult the instructions on the plant care tag.

• Zones: 3 to 11
• Size: 16 to 18 inches tall x 24 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

• A desirable option if you want a pest-free lawn, creeping raspberry (Rubus calycinoides) can stand up to deer and light foot traffic. "Creeping raspberry forms a dense carpet [and has] long spreading branches covered with textured emerald green leaves," says Kelly Funk, president of Park Seed. Plant each root ball about 4 to 6 feet apart, avoiding areas that don't have proper irrigation or where the soil is frequently moist.

  • Zones: 6 to 9
  • Size: 9 to 12 inches tall x 5 feet wide
  • Care requirements: Part sun or part shade; well-draining soil 

  • Ideal to plant on banks and slopes, lilyturf (Liriope muscari) forms an impenetrable mat and flowers from summer to fall. The drought-tolerant plant grows quickly under ideal growing conditions. Although it's a plant that thrives in shaded locations, it can also withstand sunlight. The perennial should be watered regularly during its first growing season and then scaled back to once a week. To plant lilyturf, space each seedling about 1 foot apart so they have room to grow.

  • Zones: 5 to 10
  • Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 8 to 12 inches wide
  • Care requirements: Full shade to part sun; well-draining soil

  • This low-growing evergreen shrub is a favorite because it adds multi-season interest to your garden. In spring, its fragrant, golden-yellow flowers bloom. During summer and fall, creeping mahonia (Mahonia repens) produces blue-black fruit—and when winter arrives, you're left with purple-green leaves. The plant should be watered frequently during its first year, but once established, watering is only needed during high temperatures or times of drought. "Depending on how thick your desired coverage is, plant about 2 to 3 feet apart," says Funk.

  • Zones: 5 to 8
  • Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 36 inches wide
  • Care requirements: Full shade to part sun; moist, acidic soil
  • 
    

  • Hens and Chicks

    

    Getty Images

    One of the most popular succulents for hot, dry gardens, hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) forms bright rosettes of foliage that spread freely by their offshoots. It should be watered lightly about once every few weeks as the plant is easily susceptible to root rot. To plant, till a spot in your yard with partial to full sunlight, then dig a 3-inch deep hole for the hen—the larger succulent of the bunch—and place the chicks directly on top of your soil. "Sprinkle a thin coating of gravel over the top of the soil to keep the moisture in," Funk says.

    • Zones: 3 to 8
    • Size: 3 to 6 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
    • Care requirements: Partial to full sun; average dry, sandy, well-draining soil
    
    of 13