9 must-have ground cover plants for your UK garden

Posted on 15/05/2025

9 Must-Have Ground Cover Plants for Your UK Garden

Ground cover plants are essential for any garden in the UK, whether you're looking to enhance your landscape's visual appeal or curb soil erosion. These remarkable plants are not just functional; they can add beauty and texture to your garden year-round. Let's explore these must-have ground cover options that thrive in the UK's diverse climate.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

If you're looking for a fragrant and versatile ground cover, creeping thyme tops the list. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and is ideal for filling gaps between pave stones. Its tiny, aromatic leaves and delicate flowers attract pollinators, making it a valuable addition to any garden. Plus, it's low maintenance and drought-tolerant.

Benefits of Creeping Thyme:

• Attracts bees and butterflies
• Edible and aromatic
• Tolerates foot traffic

2. Vinca minor (Periwinkle)

Periwinkle is a popular choice for shady areas. Its lush green foliage and charming blue, purple, or white flowers can light up even the most gloomy spots in your garden. This plant spreads quickly, ensuring rapid coverage, and is known for its resistance to pests.

Advantages of Periwinkle:

• Excellent for shade
• Evergreen in mild climates
• Suppresses weeds

3. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Known for its colorful foliage and striking blue blooms, bugleweed is a ground cover that can transform any part of your garden. It prefers partial shade and will readily spread to create a dense mat, which will choke out unwanted weeds.

Key Features of Bugleweed:

• Robust growth habit
• Vibrant foliage colors
• Ideal for erosion control

4. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)

Japanese Spurge is an excellent choice for deeply shaded areas. This evergreen ground cover features glossy leaves and small white flowers. Its preference for acidic soils makes it well-suited for under-planting beneath rhododendrons and conifers.

Advantages:

• Low maintenance
• Consistent ground coverage
• Evergreen appeal

5. Sagina subulata (Irish Moss)

Though it's not truly a moss, Irish Moss forms a dense mat with its tiny, emerald green foliage. Ideal for rock gardens or as a lawn substitute in small, sunny spaces, it produces small white flowers in the spring, adding a delicate touch to your garden.

Irish Moss Features:

• Soft to walk on
• Thrives in cool, moist conditions
• Tolerates light foot traffic

6. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

For a ground cover that dazzles with a blanket of white flowers, Snow-in-Summer is an unbeatable choice. Its fuzzy, silvery-grey foliage provides year-round interest, while its flowers add a spectacular display in early summer.

Benefits:

• Drought-tolerant once established
• Silver foliage contrasts well with other plants
• Easy to grow

7. Hedera helix (English Ivy)

English Ivy is one of the most versatile ground covers and is perfect for walls, trellises, and ground cover. Known for its lush green leaves, this classic plant is adaptable and can thrive in both sun and shade. Beware, though, as it can become invasive if not kept in check.

Key Points:

• Thrives in various lighting conditions
• Excellent for covering large areas
• Fantastic for vertical gardens

8. Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb's Ears are cherished for their soft, velvety leaves that add an intriguing texture to garden beds. This plant is drought-resistant and thrives in well-drained soil and full sunlight.

Lamb's Ears Attributes:

• Silver foliage adds texture and contrast
• Low water needs
• Attractive to bees

9. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

Lilyturf is an excellent ground cover for shaded or partially sunny gardens. Its strappy, evergreen leaves and summer flower spikes offer a dynamic presence in any garden setting. Additionally, it's a robust plant that's easy to maintain.

Attributes of Lilyturf:

• Evergreen interest
• Tolerates poor soil conditions
• Resistant to pests

Whether you're attempting to cover bare soil with lush greenery or looking to add a layer of depth and interest to your outdoor space, these must-have ground covers offer both beauty and functionality. Integrating these plants into your UK garden can lead to a more exquisite and sustainable landscape.