9 Essential Ground Covers for UK Gardeners

Posted on 19/08/2025

9 Essential Ground Covers for UK Gardeners

When it comes to creating a lush, vibrant garden, selecting the right ground covers is crucial. Not only do they provide aesthetically pleasing coverage, but they also help in reducing weeds, retaining soil moisture, and adding layers of interest to your garden landscape. Here, we'll explore nine essential ground cover plants perfect for the UK climate.

1. Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)

Known for its dense mat-forming ability, Vinca minor is a popular choice among UK gardeners. The lesser periwinkle thrives in various conditions, from full sun to deep shade, making it versatile and adaptable for different garden spots.

Key Features:

• Evergreen foliage providing year-round interest.
• Produces attractive blue or white flowers in spring.
• Tolerates a range of soil types.

2. Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)

For gardeners seeking a hardy ground cover with colorful foliage, Ajuga reptans is an excellent option. It offers shades of burgundy, purple, and green, adding depth and dimension.

Key Features:

• Compact growth habit ideal for covering large areas.
• Produces spikes of blue flowers in late spring to early summer.
• Prefers moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate partial shade.

3. Hedera helix (English Ivy)

This classic choice is not just for vertical spaces. When used as a ground cover, Hedera helix provides a lush, green carpet that thrives in shaded areas.

Key Features:

• Adaptable to various light conditions, from full sun to dense shade.
• Evergreen foliage that maintains coverage year-round.
• Effective at preventing soil erosion.

4. Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle)

Known for its soft, fan-like leaves, Lady's Mantle is perfect for bringing a touch of elegance to any garden. Its lime-green flowers appear in early summer, adding a burst of color.

Key Features:

• Thrives in various soil types, including clay.
• Best in partial to full sun areas.
• Low maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

5. Liriope muscari (Lilyturf)

Liriope muscari is a wonderful choice for borders and pathways. This grass-like plant is both decorative and functional, providing neat and tidy foliage year-round.

Key Features:

• Showy lavender flowers in late summer.
• Tolerates full shade to partial sun.
• Can endure neglect and requires minimal care once established.

6. Cotoneaster horizontalis (Rock Cotoneaster)

As its name suggests, this plant is perfect for rockeries and can also be used effectively on slopes to combat soil erosion. Its horizontal branching pattern creates a striking display.

Key Features:

• Decorative berries that attract birds.
• Requires little pruning to maintain shape.
• Prefers full sun to partial shade and tolerates poor soils.

7. Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme)

If you want a ground cover that's both functional and fragrant, look no further than Thymus serpyllum. This herb offers a delightful aroma and vibrant blooms.

Key Features:

• Low-growing habit, perfect for walkways and paths.
• Attractive pink to purple flowers in summer.
• Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.

8. Polygonatum odoratum (Solomon's Seal)

For a more sophisticated ground cover choice, consider Polygonatum odoratum. With its graceful arching stems and fragrant flowers, this plant adds elegance to shaded garden parts.

Key Features:

• Produces white, bell-shaped fragrant flowers in spring.
• Lovely variegated leaves that turn golden in autumn.
• Prefers shaded environments with moist soil.

9. Sagina subulata (Irish Moss)

This lovely moss-like plant creates a lush green carpet, perfect for filling in between stepping stones and along pathways.

Key Features:

• Produces tiny white flowers in early summer.
• Soft, spongy texture, ideal for foot traffic-friendly areas.
• Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Incorporating these ground covers into your UK garden can add texture, color, and functionality while keeping maintenance low. Whether you seek to fill shaded corners or create showstopping ground displays, these options ensure your garden flourishes year-round.