7 Effective Ground Covers for Gardens and Landscapes

1. 7 Effective Ground Covers for
Gardens and Landscapes
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2. Euphorbia rigida, The Gopher Plant
Euphorbia rigida is a shrubby and evergreen, succulent from the Mediterranean climate.
Known for its attractive spiral-forming foliage and ability to withstand drought, the plant makes
a valuable addition to a rock garden. Euphorbia rigida can be grown in raised beds, garden
borders and rock gardens and as an excellent ground cover. It also performs well in containers
and landscaping with other drought-tolerant plants. Hardiness: Zone 7a – Zone 10b

3. Sedum album, The Coral Carpet
Sedum album or Coral Carpet is a low-growing and very attractive plant for containers as well
as a mat-forming ground cover. The plant is known for its small, mossy and succulent foliage
that makes this plant look like coral from the oceans. Sedum album or Coral Carpet makes an
excellent ground cover because of its shiny and dark-green leaves that turn red in winter.
Hardiness: Zone 3a – Zone 9b

4. Scilla, Fancy and Flowerful
Scilla is a genus of low-growing and bulbous perennials that make excellent container or border
plants. Being low-growing plants, Scilla can be grown as border plants, or to fill empty spaces in
landscapes and flower beds where they can grow up to 3 feet. Most species of Scilla grown
under partial sun and prefer slightly moist but rich, loamy soil. Hardiness: Zone 2a – Zone 8b

5. Armeria maritima
Armeria maritima is a compact, low-growing plant, which is known for its prolific and long-
lasting spring flowers. As a compact and low-growing plant, Armeria maritime is a good choice
for edging, border fronts, rock gardens or wall pockets. The plant requires moderate watering
and can be grown easily from seeds. Hardiness: Zone 3a – Zone 8b

6. Soleirolia soleirolii, Baby’s Tears
Baby’s Tears or Soleirolia soleirolii is an evergreen and low growing ground cover known for its
round cascading leaves. Baby’s Tear is equally good for rock gardens and landscapes where it
can easily take up empty spaces and form thick mounds of attractive foliage. It can also be used
as alternate of grass because it would survive cold and shady spots easily and serve as nice
ground cover throughout the year. Hardiness: Zone 10a – Zone 11

7. Lovely Ground Cover: Ajuga reptans
Ajuga reptans or Carpet Bugleweed is a quick solution if you are looking for a plant to cover
wide empty spaces, beds or bare soil. As a vigorous growing groundcover, it would readily cover
the ground to form a low growing thick mat of dark green or coppery leaves. Ajuga Reptans can
also be used to control soil erosion as it spreads quickly via runners and grows almost in any
type of soil with good drainage. Hardiness: Zone 3a – Zone 9b

8. Callisia Elegans, The Inch Plant
Callisia is a genus of low growing plants with delicate and lovely foliage. Native to dry climate
of Mexico,these sprawling plants server as excellent ground covers for dry as well as moderate
climates where they are protected from long spells of freeze and frost. Hardiness: Zone 10a –
Zone 11