Looking for a way to add some life to those bare spots in your yard? These gorgeous ground covers aren’t just pretty to look at—they’re tough enough to handle the winter and come back with stunning blooms every year. Here’s a breakdown of some fan-favorites and how to pick the perfect one for your garden.
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++Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
If you want to bring a touch of woodland magic to your yard, the Wood Anemone is your best friend. This perennial is incredibly hardy and survives even the harshest winters without any extra help. Every spring, it shoots up about eight inches, showing off delicate, star-like white blossoms that really brighten up the garden floor.
++Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
Don’t let the name fool you—this isn’t actually a moss, but it sure looks like a lush, velvety carpet! Irish Moss is a fantastic flowering ground cover. Its vibrant green foliage provides the perfect backdrop for the tiny, white, star-shaped flowers that pop up during the blooming season. It’s winter-hardy and spreads quickly, so you won’t have to wait long for it to fill in those gaps.
++Moneywort / Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Moneywort (often called Creeping Jenny) features adorable, coin-shaped green leaves that grow in a dense mat. Before you plant this one, keep in mind that its natural habitat is wetlands and damp meadows. That means it needs plenty of moisture to thrive. If you’re looking for a hardy, flowering ground cover to go around a garden pond or a soggy corner of your yard, this is the one for you.
++Trailing Bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana)
If you’re after a serious pop of color, the Bellflower is a showstopper. When you plant Trailing Bellflower, you get a thick carpet of foliage topped with vibrant, bell-shaped purple flowers. It’s a real eye-catcher! Just a heads-up: during those scorching summer months, make sure to give it a regular drink so it has enough energy to keep those beautiful blooms going.
++Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping Phlox is an absolute superstar in the world of ground covers. It’s tough as nails in freezing temperatures and puts on a spectacular floral show. During its blooming season, it becomes a buffet for local pollinators, helping out your local ecosystem. Pro tip: once it’s well-established, you can easily divide the plants to fill other spots in your garden for free!
++Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla)
Searching for something bee-friendly, winter-hardy, and classically beautiful? Lady’s Mantle is a fantastic choice. It prefers to stay out of the direct, scorching afternoon sun. Give it some loose, nutrient-rich soil, and it will reward you by spreading quickly and showing off its unique, frothy chartreuse flowers.
++False Rockcress (Aubrieta)
Aubrieta creates a literal “cushion” of flowers in your garden. This winter-hardy plant is perfect if you want a sea of blue or violet. Since it loves the sun and doesn’t mind rocky or poor soil, it’s a go-to for rock gardens or dry slopes. Just try to give it a little water during extreme heatwaves so the soil doesn’t bone-dry completely.
%%Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Need a flowering ground cover for a shady spot and want something a little different? Sweet Woodruff is a total gem. As a natural forest dweller, it loves shade and rich, organic soil. It features whorls of delicate green leaves and tiny white flowers. Bonus: it has a wonderful, sweet fragrance and has been used for centuries in cooking and herbal teas!