What is Low Growing Ground Cover?
Low growing ground cover refers to plants that spread horizontally across the soil surface, typically remaining under a certain height, often less than 30cm (1 foot). They are cultivated for their ability to cover bare earth, prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of gardens and landscapes with dense, textured foliage or seasonal blooms.
- Suppresses weeds effectively.
- Prevents soil erosion.
- Adds visual texture and interest.
- Reduces lawn maintenance needs.
- Improves soil health over time.
Unlike traditional bedding plants or shrubs that grow upwards, ground cover plants are selected for their mat-forming or creeping habits. They can transform neglected areas, soften hard landscaping features like walls and paths, and provide a living mulch that retains soil moisture. Understanding the diverse range available is key to selecting the right plants for your specific garden conditions and aesthetic goals.
The appeal of low growing ground cover lies in its multifaceted benefits. Beyond mere aesthetics, these plants are workhorses in the garden. They provide a natural defence against invasive weeds by outcompeting them for light, water, and nutrients. Their root systems help stabilise soil, particularly on slopes or banks, mitigating the effects of wind and rain erosion. Furthermore, a well-established ground cover layer can help regulate soil temperature and moisture levels, creating a more favourable environment for beneficial soil organisms.
When considering ground cover, it’s important to distinguish between different types of growth habits and lifespans. Some ground covers are annuals, completing their life cycle in a single season, while others are perennials, returning year after year. The choice between them depends on whether you seek a temporary, vibrant display or a more permanent, low-maintenance solution. This primer focuses on perennial varieties, which are generally more favoured for their long-term ground covering capabilities and reduced need for annual replanting.
Why Choose Low Growing Ground Cover?
Opting for low growing ground cover offers a multitude of advantages for both novice and experienced gardeners. They are instrumental in reducing the labour associated with lawn maintenance, as they often require less frequent mowing, watering, and feeding than a traditional turf. For areas where grass struggles to grow, such as under dense trees or on steep banks, ground cover provides an attractive and functional alternative. Their ability to spread and fill spaces means they can quickly revitalise bare patches, turning them into verdant, textured surfaces.
The ecological benefits are also significant. A diverse planting of ground cover can support local wildlife, providing habitat and food sources for insects and small pollinators. Their presence contributes to a healthier garden ecosystem by reducing reliance on chemical herbicides and promoting biodiversity. Moreover, many ground cover varieties are remarkably resilient, tolerating conditions that might be challenging for other plants, including poor soil, partial shade, or drought once established.
Choosing low growing ground cover allows for creative landscaping. You can use different textures, colours, and flowering times to create dynamic visual interest throughout the seasons. They can be used to edge borders, fill the spaces between stepping stones, or cascade over low walls. This versatility makes them an invaluable tool for gardeners aiming for a cohesive and attractive garden design without excessive upkeep.
Selecting the Right Low Growing Ground Cover
Choosing the most suitable low growing ground cover involves a careful assessment of your garden's specific conditions and your desired outcomes. The primary factors to consider are light levels, soil type, moisture availability, and the rate of spread you require. For instance, plants suited for a sunny border will differ significantly from those thriving in the shade beneath mature trees.
Ground Cover for Sunny Spots
Areas that receive full sun throughout the day benefit from ground cover plants that are drought-tolerant and can withstand intense light. Sedums (stonecrops), particularly low-growing varieties like Sedum spurium or Sedum album, are excellent choices. Their succulent leaves store water, making them ideal for dry, sunny conditions, often with attractive star-shaped flowers in summer. Thyme varieties, such as creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), also flourish in full sun and well-drained soil, releasing a pleasant aroma when trod upon, and providing delicate pink or purple flowers.
Other robust options for sunny, well-drained areas include certain low-growing junipers and potentilla. These woody ground covers offer evergreen structure and require minimal pruning. For a more flowering effect, consider low-growing Campanula (bellflowers) or Veronica (speedwell) varieties, which offer vibrant blue, purple, or pink blooms during the warmer months. It is crucial to ensure these plants have access to adequate drainage, as waterlogged soil can lead to root rot, even in sun-loving species.
Ground Cover for Shady Areas
Shade-loving ground cover plants are essential for transforming dark corners and underplanting trees or shrubs. Ajuga reptans (bugleweed) is a popular choice, known for its attractive foliage, often in bronze or variegated forms, and spikes of blue flowers in spring. It spreads readily to form a dense mat. Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese spurge) is another reliable option, providing glossy, evergreen leaves year-round, ideal for deep shade where little else will grow. It forms a thick, weed-suppressing carpet.
Ferns, such as the hardy Asplenium scolopendrium (hart's tongue fern), can also function as ground cover in shady, moist spots, offering architectural interest with their broad, strap-like fronds. For areas with dappled shade, consider varieties of Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle), which offer evergreen foliage and attractive blue or white flowers. When selecting for shade, prioritise plants that tolerate damp conditions if your area is prone to moisture, or ensure good drainage if the shade is dry, as is common under dense tree canopies.
When planting ground cover, prepare the soil thoroughly by removing all existing weeds and loosening the soil to a depth of at least 15cm. This ensures new plants establish quickly and reduces competition from persistent weeds.
Considering Evergreen vs. Deciduous
The decision between evergreen and deciduous low growing ground cover impacts the year-round appearance of your garden. Evergreen varieties, such as Hedera helix (ivy, choose less vigorous cultivars), Liriope muscari (lily turf), or certain Sedums and Vincas, provide consistent foliage cover and colour throughout the winter months. This is particularly beneficial for areas that may appear bare and uninviting during winter. They offer a permanent, structural element to the landscape.
Deciduous ground covers, such as some Geranium (hardy geranium) varieties or Epimedium (barrenwort), shed their leaves in autumn. While they may appear less substantial in winter, they often offer seasonal floral displays or attractive autumn foliage colours before they die back. Epimediums, for instance, are excellent for dry shade and produce delicate, often spurred flowers in spring, with attractive leaf shapes that can offer bronze tones in cooler weather. The choice depends on whether you prioritise continuous visual cover or seasonal interest with a winter dormancy period.
Installation and Care of Ground Cover Plants
Successfully establishing and maintaining low growing ground cover involves a straightforward process, focusing on initial planting and then minimal intervention. The goal is to create a dense, healthy carpet that thrives with little ongoing effort. Proper planting technique and understanding the plant's needs are crucial for long-term success.
Planting Your Ground Cover
When planting, spacing is a critical consideration. The distance between plants will determine how quickly they fill in. For faster coverage, plant more densely, typically around 15-25cm apart, depending on the species' mature spread. For slower coverage or to save on initial plant numbers, you can space them further apart, perhaps 30-45cm, but be prepared for a longer wait for them to fill out. It is advisable to plant during cooler, wetter periods, such as spring or autumn, to help the plants establish without the stress of heat and drought.
After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. Applying a layer of mulch, such as compost or bark chips, around the newly planted specimens (but not touching the stems) can help retain moisture, suppress initial weed growth, and protect the young plants. For the first year, regular watering, especially during dry spells, is important to encourage strong root development. Once established, most low growing ground cover plants are quite drought-tolerant.
Ongoing Maintenance Requirements
Once established, the maintenance for low growing ground cover is typically minimal. Weeding will become less frequent as the plants spread and outcompete unwanted vegetation. Any weeds that do appear should be removed promptly before they can establish themselves. Pruning is generally not required, though some vigorous spreaders might need occasional trimming to prevent them from encroaching on paths or other plants.
Feeding is rarely necessary for established ground cover, as they are often adapted to nutrient-poor conditions. Over-fertilising can sometimes lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers, or encourage invasive spread. For flowering varieties, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring can be beneficial if the soil is particularly poor. Ensure that any drainage issues are addressed, as this is the most common cause of failure for ground cover plants, especially in heavier soils.
The key to low maintenance is selecting plants suited to your specific site conditions from the outset.
Dealing with Pests and Diseases
Low growing ground cover plants are generally quite resistant to pests and diseases, especially when grown in their preferred conditions. However, poor drainage can lead to fungal issues like root rot, particularly in species that require sharp drainage. Overcrowding or poor air circulation can sometimes encourage mildew. Regular inspection of your plants will help you spot any potential problems early.
If pests such as slugs or snails become an issue, especially for more tender species, deterrents or manual removal may be necessary. For most common ground cover varieties, however, healthy, well-established plants are their own best defence against most garden nuisances. Focus on providing optimal growing conditions, and the plants will largely take care of themselves. The goal is to create a resilient, self-sustaining carpet that enhances your garden’s appeal.
Alternatives and Considerations
While low growing ground cover plants offer numerous benefits, it is prudent to consider alternatives and understand potential drawbacks. Depending on your specific needs for ground coverage, weed suppression, or visual appeal, other landscaping solutions might be more appropriate or complementary.
When Ground Cover Isn't the Answer
Although low growing ground cover is highly effective, it might not be the optimal solution for every situation. For instance, areas requiring significant structural planting, such as screening plants for privacy, will need taller shrubs or trees rather than low-lying species. If your primary goal is rapid, dense ground coverage on a very steep, erosion-prone slope, you might need to consider larger, more established shrubs or professional landscaping solutions initially, perhaps using ground cover to fill gaps later.
Some gardeners may prefer the manicured look of a lawn and find the slightly wilder appearance of ground cover less desirable. While ground cover reduces maintenance compared to a lawn, it does not eliminate it entirely. Occasional weeding, tidying, and ensuring plants stay within their designated areas are still necessary. For those seeking a truly 'set and forget' solution, a very low-maintenance perennial border or a gravel garden might be considered, though these offer different aesthetic and functional outcomes.
Comparing Plants for Specific Needs
When comparing different low growing ground cover plants, consider their suitability for various garden features. For instance, 'low maintenance small rock garden ideas' might favour hardy succulents like Sedum or Sempervivum (houseleeks), which thrive in arid, well-drained conditions. In contrast, 'plants for a shady spot' could lead you to consider native woodland ground covers like Viola or certain low-growing ferns, which are adapted to less light and potentially more moisture.
If quick coverage is a priority, fast-spreading varieties such as Ajuga or potentilla might be preferred over slower-growing options. Conversely, if you want to avoid aggressive spread, choose self-limiting species or those that spread at a more measured pace. Understanding the difference between annuals vs perennials is also vital; while annuals offer vibrant, temporary colour, perennials provide lasting coverage and are usually more cost-effective over time. The choice between evergreen climbers for shade and low ground cover plants depends entirely on whether you need vertical or horizontal coverage.
Always check the mature size and spread of a plant before buying. This will help you determine how many plants you need and ensure they do not become overcrowded too quickly, which can lead to poor health.
The true value of low growing ground cover lies in its ability to blend functionality with natural beauty, transforming challenging garden spaces into thriving, textured landscapes.
The decision often comes down to a balance of aesthetics, desired maintenance levels, and the specific environmental conditions of your garden. By carefully evaluating your needs and the characteristics of different plants, you can select a low growing ground cover that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, providing a beautiful and practical solution for years to come.