7) Creeping Thyme
This groundcover restrains the growth and spreading abilities of wild weeds while providing a unique, colorful look in the garden.
It offers dense foliage that spreads like a mat in the garden, effectively suppressing weed growth while also beautifying the landscape.
For creeping thyme, zones 2-8 are ideal.
8) Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Creeping juniper has a unique pine needle-like texture that can give your garden landscape a mesmerizing look.
You’ll find this groundcover spreading in a blueish-grey color and it’s a solid choice if you wish to have a productive addition to your garden that’s also visually striking.
Unlike creeping thyme, creeping juniper prefers slightly cooler conditions, so zone 2-7 planting is ideal for this one.
9) Periwinkle
Periwinkles are quick to spread and can cover large areas in no time.
They offer attractive, shiny green foliage as well as purple and blue flowers that add an element of familiarity but also subtle beauty to the garden. If soil erosion is an issue for you, planting periwinkles on slopes can help bring things under control.
Most periwinkle varieties should be able to handle zone 3-9 conditions fairly easily.
10) Hostas
For shaded or partially shaded areas, hostas can serve as an excellent groundcover to suppress weeds and add visual appeal to the garden landscape.
They offer large, colorful foliage and are relatively quick to grow, meaning they can get to work on suppressing weeds in a short period of time.
For hostas, slighter cooler zones (2-7) are perfect.
11) Clovers
Clovers are perhaps the second most popular groundcover after creeping jenny. They’re tried and tested for their resilience and usually come out on top amongst the most ideal groundcovers.
Though they don’t have any particular “visually striking” features, clovers still work wonders for limiting weed growth and have nitrogen-fixing properties that can indirectly improve your garden as a whole.
Most clover varieties would do well in pretty much all zones from 2 or 10.
12) Dichondra
Dichondra have somewhat of a similar appearance to clovers except they’re a tad bit rounder. They spread fast and can reach a decent height of about 2-4 inches, creating an appealing mat that blends in well but also works effectively for covering empty patches and aiding with weed control.
Warmer zones between 8-11 allow dichondra to thrive and spread effectively throughout the garden.
Planting Groundcovers – Some Tips That Will Help!
- Remove any weeds and debris from the area where you intend to plant your groundcover.
- Space out your groundcovers appropriately. Planting them too close to each other can restrict spreading and create unnecessary competition in the soil.
- Trim the tips of your spreading groundcover plant to encourage faster and more vigorous spreading.
Avoid This Simple Groundcover Mistake That Could Ruin Your Garden!
In the race to plant the “fastest growing” groundcover, don’t forget that there are invasive species out there that grow and spread too fast which could ruin the overall harmony and visual balance of your garden.
They might also snatch away nutrients and resources from your main plants, making them weaker as a result.
Always remember to choose the right groundcover for the type of land you have and be careful that it does not become invasive.
I hope this helps! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.
