Unveil 9 Must-Have Ground Cover Plants for UK Gardens

Posted on 20/05/2025

Ground cover plants are an essential component for any garden, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice, these versatile plants can help transform your outdoor space. In the UK, where the climate can pose challenges, selecting the right ground cover is key to ensuring a lush, vibrant garden. Let's explore the nine must-have ground cover plants that thrive in UK gardens.

The Importance of Ground Cover Plants

Ground covers are not only visually appealing, but they also play a critical role in garden health and sustainability. Here are a few reasons why you should consider integrating them into your landscape:

• Weed Suppression: By covering soil, these plants minimize the growth of weeds.
• Soil Moisture Retention: They help retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
• Preventing Soil Erosion: Their roots stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and maintaining soil health.
• Year-Round Appeal: Many ground cover varieties thrive in all seasons, maintaining color and texture.

Now, let's dive into some of the top choices for UK gardens.

1. Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)

Known for its lovely, violet-blue flowers, Vinca minor, or Lesser Periwinkle, is an excellent option for UK gardens. This evergreen plant forms a dense mat of glossy, dark green leaves. Here's why it's a favorite:

Benefits:

• Thrives in shady areas, making it perfect for planting under trees.
• Low maintenance and provides a year-round appeal with its evergreen foliage.
• Tolerant of a variety of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soil.

Planting Vinca minor is an excellent choice if you're looking to create a lush and vibrant carpet underfoot.

2. Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)

Ajuga reptans, commonly known as Bugleweed, is another popular ground cover known for its vibrant purple flowers and attractive foliage. This plant can easily fill space with its dense leaf rosettes and runners.

Benefits:

• Enjoys both sunny and partially shaded areas.
• Produces striking blue flower spikes in the spring.
• Ideal for filling in gaps between stones or paving.

This low-growing perennial is perfect for adding a touch of color and texture to your garden.

3. Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)

A fragrant addition to any garden, Galium odoratum, or Sweet Woodruff, is known for its fresh scent and delicate white flowers. This ground cover thrives in shady conditions.

Benefits:

• Excellent for wooded or shaded areas, providing a rich carpet of foliage.
• Produces small, star-shaped white flowers in late spring.
• The leaves are fragrant when crushed, adding an aromatic element to your garden.

If you're looking to add ambiance with both fragrance and beauty, Sweet Woodruff is a perfect choice.

4. Hedera helix (English Ivy)

No list of ground cover plants would be complete without mentioning Hedera helix, commonly known as English Ivy. Although some view it as an aggressive grower, when managed properly, it provides excellent coverage.

Benefits:

• Highly adaptable and can grow in various light conditions.
• Evergreen leaves provide visual interest throughout the year.
• Great for preventing soil erosion on slopes.

English Ivy brings a classic, timeless beauty to any garden environment.

5. Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-Summer)

Cerastium tomentosum, or Snow-in-Summer, earns its name from its beautiful white blooms that appear early in the season. This plant is particularly stunning when used en masse

Benefits:

• Perfect for sunny, well-drained locations.
• Produces a silvery mat of foliage with clusters of white flowers.
• Excellent for rock gardens or edging.

Snow-in-Summer creates a snowy effect in the sunshine, transforming your garden into a dazzling spectacle as spring gives way to summer.

6. Sedum acre (Goldmoss Stonecrop)

For a burst of golden color, consider Sedum acre, known as Goldmoss Stonecrop. This succulent ground cover is extremely hardy and drought-resistant, making it perfect for sunny, dry areas.

Benefits:

• Thrives in poor soil conditions and requires minimal water.
• Bright yellow flowers spring forth, adding a vibrant touch.
• Ideal for rock gardens and wall crevices.

Goldmoss Stonecrop is a reliable choice for difficult areas where other plants struggle to survive.

7. Thymus serpyllum (Creeping Thyme)

If you're seeking versatility and fragrance, look no further than Thymus serpyllum, or Creeping Thyme. This low-growing herb provides beauty and utility, perfect for pathways and garden borders.

Benefits:

• Produces tiny lavender flowers and a pleasant aroma when stepped on.
• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
• Requires minimal maintenance and is drought-tolerant.

Creeping Thyme is an exemplary choice for adding both color and culinary function to your garden space.

8. Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower)

Tiarella cordifolia, or Foamflower, stands out with its lush foliage and delicate flower spikes. This ground cover is perfect for adding texture beneath trees or in shaded garden corners.

Benefits:

• Loves shady areas and moist soil.
• Produces frothy, white flower spikes in late spring.
• Its leaves often display striking patterns and colors adding interest to shade gardens.

Foamflower adds both visual appeal and texture, making it a cherished choice for shady spots.

9. Waldsteinia ternata (Barren Strawberry)

Last but not least, the Waldsteinia ternata, or Barren Strawberry, provides a burst of bright yellow flowers and a rich green carpet of leaves. This plant is particularly valued for its hardy nature and attractive appearance.

Benefits:

• Excellent for sunny or partially shaded areas.
• Once established, it requires little to no maintenance.
• Hardy and resilient, tolerating a variety of soil conditions.

The Barren Strawberry is ideal for those looking for a durable yet attractive ground cover option.

Conclusion

The right ground cover plants can transform your UK garden into a stunning, functional outdoor space. Whether you're looking to add color, fragrance, or texture, these plants offer a variety of benefits. From vibrant flowers to durable evergreen options, there's something to fit every gardener's needs. Consider these nine essential ground cover plants for your next gardening project and watch your garden flourish like never before.

Enhance your UK garden with these exceptional ground cover choices, and enjoy the ecological and aesthetic benefits they bring!