Revamp Your UK Garden with 9 Excellent Ground Covers

Posted on 15/05/2025

Revamp Your UK Garden with 9 Excellent Ground Covers

If you're looking to give your garden a fresh, modern, and sustainable makeover, look no further than ground covers. These plants can offer solutions for soil erosion, weed suppression, and aesthetic appeal, all while being low-maintenance and eco-friendly. In this article, we delve into nine excellent ground covers to transform your UK garden into a picturesque paradise.

The Importance of Ground Covers in Your Garden

Ground covers are more than just fillers. They are the epitome of functionality and beauty combined. Here's why they are crucial for your garden:

• Weed Control: By creating dense foliage, ground covers prevent weeds from emerging and competing for sunlight and nutrients.
• Soil Stability: They prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes, by holding the soil together.
• Aesthetic Appeal: With a range of textures and colors, they add depth and dimension to garden landscapes.
• Low Maintenance: Most ground covers are hardy and require minimal care once established.
• Biodiversity Support: They provide shelter and food for various garden-friendly insects and small wildlife.

1. Vinca minor (Periwinkle)

Known for its vivid blue or purple flowers, Vinca minor is an evergreen favorite in UK gardens. Perfect for shaded or partially sunny areas, this perennial spreader is ideal for suppressing weeds.

Why Choose Periwinkle?

• Can thrive in almost any soil type, whether acidic or alkaline.
• Its rapid growth makes it perfect for quickly filling large areas.
• Its attractive, glossy leaves provide year-round interest.

2. Alchemilla mollis (Ladies Mantle)

A traditional cottage garden staple, Alchemilla mollis is revered for its fan-shaped, pleated leaves and frothy clusters of yellow-green flowers. It prospers in both sun and shade.

Benefits of Ladies Mantle

• Its soft foliage adds a unique texture to any bed or border.
• Perfect for edging pathways or front-of-border planting.
• Tolerates drought once established and requires minimal care.

3. Cotoneaster horizontalis (Rock Cotoneaster)

This deciduous shrub offers horizontal branching patterns that make it look like a living tapestry. Its small red berries in autumn are a delightful sight.

Why Rock Cotoneaster?

• Provides interest across multiple seasons with flowers, berries, and foliage.
• Great for rockeries or slopes due to its spreading growth habit.
• High wildlife value, providing nectar and food for birds and insects.

4. Thymus serpyllum (Wild Thyme)

An aromatic choice, wild thyme is perfect for sunny, well-drained areas, offering a carpet of fragrant, pink flowers in summer that attract bees and butterflies.

Advantages of Wild Thyme

• Ideal for growing between stepping stones or as a natural lawn alternative.
• Low-growing and drought-resistant, suitable for challenging sites.
• Adds aesthetic and olfactory appeal to the garden.

5. Hedera helix (English Ivy)

A classic choice, English Ivy is a versatile evergreen that can climb or spread, providing lush greenery and habitat for wildlife.

Why Choose English Ivy?

• Tolerant of both sun and shade, adaptable to various conditions.
• Excellent for covering unsightly walls or fences with its climbing ability.
• Requires minimal upkeep once established.

6. Ajuga reptans (Carpet Bugleweed)

An attractive plant with rosettes of dark leaves and blue flowers, carpet bugleweed is perfect for moist garden spots.

Benefits of Carpet Bugleweed

• Easily competes with weeds, forming dense mats of foliage.
• The striking foliage adds color contrast in shaded areas.
• Requires little to no fertilization, thriving on neglect.

7. Sagina subulata (Irish Moss)

If you desire a lush, grass-like appearance, Irish Moss is your choice. Though not technically a moss, its vibrant green, cushion-like growth is ideal for rock gardens and in-between flagstones.

Advantages of Irish Moss

• Forms a soft carpet that can handle light foot traffic.
• Maintains a bright green hue throughout the year.
• Offers a sophisticated and manicured look with ease.

8. Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper)

This adaptable ground cover offers a wealth of possibilities with its variegated or green foliage. It can be a climber or trailing ground cover.

Why Choose Wintercreeper?

• Handles diverse conditions, from full sun to deep shade.
• Perfect for covering walls, banks, and bare patches.
• The variegated varieties illuminate dark garden areas.

9. Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer)

Characterized by silver-grey foliage and a summer burst of white flowers, Cerastium tomentosum thrives in well-draining soils.

Why Snow in Summer?

• Brightens any garden space with its stunning summer show.
• Thrives in poor soil, ideal for challenging gardening areas.
• Its spreading nature suppresses weeds effectively.

Conclusion: Choose the Right Ground Cover for Your Garden

When selecting ground covers for your UK garden, consider your specific needs: the site's light, soil type, and moisture. By choosing the right plants, you not only enhance your garden's beauty but also contribute to an eco-friendly and sustainable environment. Embrace these excellent ground covers to transform your garden into a thriving oasis that can be enjoyed year-round.

With these nine options, you're sure to find the perfect plant to suit your landscape needs, bringing both functionality and beauty to your outdoor space.