14 Green Ground Covers That Start Spreading While It Is Still Cool
As the weather begins to cool, it is the perfect time to consider planting ground covers that will start spreading early in the season. These plants not only help cover bare patches in your garden, but they also add a fresh layer of greenery when other plants are still getting established. Whether you have a sunny spot or a shady nook, there are ground covers that thrive in the cooler months and can create a beautiful, low-maintenance carpet of greenery. Many of these plants are hardly enough to handle the chill and will start to spread, filling in gaps before the warmer months arrive. They can also help with soil erosion and prevent weeds from taking over your garden.
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Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme is a low-growing herb that forms a dense, fragrant mat, making it an excellent choice for ground cover. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it can tolerate cooler temperatures, often beginning to spread early in the spring. This hardy plant works well between steppingstones or in rock gardens due to its ability to tolerate foot traffic.
As it matures, creeping thyme produces small, purple or pink flowers, which attract pollinators like bees. It also has a strong resistance to drought once established, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance landscaping. Its aromatic leaves release a pleasant scent when crushed, adding another layer of charm. The vibrant green color of this ground cover makes it a standout in both shaded and sunny spots.
Clover
Clover, especially white clover, is a popular ground cover plant due to its quick-growing nature and resilience in cool weather. It thrives in a wide range of soil types, particularly in areas with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Clover spreads rapidly, filling in bare patches and forming a lush green carpet that helps reduce soil erosion.
This plant also has the added benefit of fixing nitrogen in the soil, improving its fertility. It is known for its ability to withstand moderate foot traffic, making it ideal for lawns or garden borders. Clover’s white blooms appear in early summer, further enhancing the visual appeal of your landscape. It can also handle partial shade, making it versatile for various garden conditions.
Irish Moss
Irish moss, or Sagina subulata, is a hardy, creeping perennial that forms a dense, moss-like carpet. It begins spreading early in spring and thrives in cooler weather, making it a great option for colder climates. This plant prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It works wonderfully between paving stones, providing a soft, green cushion underfoot.
The tiny, white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer add a delicate touch to this low-maintenance ground cover. Irish moss can tolerate light foot traffic, although it is best to avoid heavy use in garden beds. The fine texture and vibrant green color of this ground cover make it a lovely addition to shaded or woodland gardens.
Speedwell
Speedwell, particularly creeping Veronica, is a vigorous ground cover that begins spreading in cool weather and flourishes in both sun and partial shade. It is well-suited for planting in areas with well-drained, moderately moist soil. This low-growing plant spreads quickly to form a dense mat of lush, green foliage. In early spring, it produces small, blue or purple flowers that brighten the landscape and attract pollinators like bees.
Speedwell is perfect for covering large areas or filling in gaps between other plants in your garden. Its hardiness and ability to tolerate moderate foot traffic make it a good choice for paths or as an underplanting around shrubs. Speedwell’s fast-growing nature helps reduce weeds, offering both aesthetic and functional benefits to the garden.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff is a fragrant, low-growing perennial that spreads quickly in cooler temperatures. It is particularly well-suited for shaded garden areas where other ground covers may struggle to thrive. Sweet woodruff forms a dense mat of dark green leaves that emit a sweet, pleasant scent when crushed. It produces small, white flowers in late spring or early summer, adding a soft touch of brightness to shaded areas.
This plant is ideal for woodland gardens, as it helps prevent weed growth and retains moisture in the soil. Sweet woodruff is also known for its ability to tolerate dry soil conditions once established, making it a versatile choice for low-maintenance gardens. Its ability to spread rapidly means it can fill in gaps or large areas with minimal effort.
Ground Morning Glory
Ground morning glory is an attractive ground cover that thrives in cooler weather, offering vibrant green foliage and delicate flowers. Unlike its climbing relatives, this variety remains low to the ground and spreads quickly to cover the soil. It prefers full sun to partial shade and grows well in well-drained soil. In spring, it produces small, funnel-shaped blue or purple flowers that brighten up any garden space.
This plant works well as a border around garden beds, filling in areas with its fast-growing nature. Ground morning glory is also known for its ability to attract pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies. Its spreading habit makes it an excellent choice for covering large areas with minimal maintenance.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny, or Lysimachia nummularia, is a versatile ground cover that flourishes in cool temperatures. It grows quickly, spreading out to form a thick, green carpet. This plant can tolerate partial to full shade and thrives in moist, well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice for damp or woodland gardens.
Creeping Jenny’s round, glossy leaves turn golden-yellow in the fall, providing year-round interest. It produces small, yellow flowers in late spring, adding a touch of color to your landscape. This plant works particularly well along the edges of ponds or streams, where its fast growth helps prevent soil erosion. Creeping Jenny is also great for hanging baskets, as it cascades beautifully over the sides.
Sedum
Sedum, particularly the low-growing varieties, is a hardy ground cover that spreads well in cool temperatures. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a great option for rock gardens or sunny slopes. Sedum’s fleshy leaves form a dense mat that can help suppress weeds and conserve moisture in the soil. This plant produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in late summer or early fall, adding color to the garden when other plants begin to fade.
Sedum is drought-tolerant once established, making it a perfect choice for low-maintenance landscaping. It can also tolerate dry soil conditions, making it ideal for xeriscaping or areas with limited water. The vibrant green foliage of sedum provides year-round interest, with some varieties turning red or purple in the fall.
Wintercreeper
Wintercreeper is a versatile, evergreen ground cover that thrives in cool weather and spreads rapidly. This hardy plant can grow in full sun to partial shade, making it suitable for various garden conditions. Wintercreeper’s dark green, glossy leaves turn red or purple in the fall, providing seasonal interest and color. It is an excellent choice for covering large areas, slopes, or bare patches in your garden.
As a fast-growing ground cover, wintercreeper helps reduce weeds and prevent soil erosion. In late spring, it produces small, inconspicuous flowers, followed by red berries that add visual appeal. Wintercreeper can tolerate a wide range of soil types, making it a flexible option for your landscape.
Woolly Thyme
Woolly thyme is a low-growing, drought-tolerant ground cover that thrives in cool conditions. It has soft, fuzzy gray-green leaves that form a dense mat, making it perfect for covering large areas in your garden. This hardy plant tolerates full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice for rock gardens or slopes.
Woolly thyme produces small, pink or purple flowers in late spring or early summer, which attract pollinators. It is an excellent option for areas with foot traffic, as it can withstand light use without being damaged. The compact nature of woolly thyme makes it a great filler plant for between stones or in garden beds. Its ability to spread quickly and fill in gaps makes it a useful addition to any garden.
Ground Juniper
Ground juniper is an evergreen ground cover that thrives in cooler weather, offering year-round interest with its blue-green foliage. It works well in full sun to partial shade and is particularly suited for areas with well-drained, sandy, or rocky soil. This plant spreads quickly, forming a dense mat that helps prevent soil erosion. Ground juniper is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, making it a great option for low-water gardens.
In spring, it produces small, inconspicuous flowers, followed by blue berries that attract birds and other wildlife. The plant’s ability to tolerate a variety of conditions, from heat to cold, makes it versatile for different garden settings. Ground juniper is a great addition to xeriscapes or rock gardens, where it can cover large areas and add texture to your landscape.
Vinca Minor
Vinca minor, or periwinkle, is an evergreen ground cover that spreads rapidly in cooler temperatures. This hardy plant grows well in partial to full shade, making it an excellent choice for shaded garden beds or areas under trees. Vinca minor forms a dense carpet of glossy green leaves, which are complemented by blue or purple flowers that bloom in early spring.
The flowers attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, providing vital support for local ecosystems. This ground cover is low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil types, making it versatile for different garden settings. Vinca minor can handle moderate foot traffic, making it a good choice for paths or between stepping stones. Its ability to spread quickly means it can fill in bare spots and help suppress weeds.
Brass Buttons
Brass buttons is a low-growing, fast-spreading ground cover that thrives in cooler weather. This plant forms a dense mat of fern-like foliage that is a rich green color, offering a soft texture underfoot. It grows well in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Brass buttons produces small, yellow button-like flowers in the spring, which add a touch of color to the garden.
This plant works well in shaded or woodland gardens, as it thrives in areas with limited sunlight. Once established, brass buttons is tolerant of dry conditions, making it a low-maintenance choice for shaded spots. Its ability to spread quickly and cover large areas makes it ideal for filling in gaps between other plants or around steppingstones.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff is a fragrant, low-growing perennial that thrives in cool temperatures. It works best in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, making it ideal for woodland or shaded garden areas. Sweet woodruff forms a dense mat of green leaves, which emit a pleasant scent when crushed. It produces small, white flowers in late spring, which attract pollinators, including bees.
This ground cover helps prevent weed growth and retains moisture in the soil, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardening. The plant’s fragrant leaves are also used in sachets and potpourri, adding a practical benefit to its ornamental value. Sweet woodruff’s ability to spread quickly means it can fill in empty spaces or large areas, making it a valuable addition to shaded gardens.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.