Choosing the right ground cover for a memorial site is all about finding that perfect balance: you want something that looks manicured and beautiful, but you also need plants that can handle being on their own for a while. These popular ground covers create a peaceful, tidy atmosphere and offer a wonderful sense of serenity for gravesites and memorial gardens.
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++Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
If you’re looking for a lively look with pretty flowers that still maintains a neat appearance, Roman Chamomile is a fantastic choice. It creates a lush green carpet of foliage and, during its blooming season, shows off classic daisy-like flowers. The crisp white petals and bright yellow centers are subtle and elegant—perfect for a memorial setting. Plus, it’s incredibly low-maintenance; in the wild, it thrives in meadows all on its own.
++Pussytoes (Antennaria dioica)
Pussytoes are just as delicate and charming as the name suggests. This plant produces tiny, fuzzy pinkish blooms and stays very low to the ground, topping out at about 4 inches. It’s an ideal pick if you want a ground cover that hugs the earth. It actually prefers drier soil, so you won’t need to worry about frequent watering. Pro tip: if you want to encourage more flowers, just snip off the faded blooms every now and then.
++White Stonecrop (Sedum album)
White Stonecrop is a hardy creeper that can handle even the toughest, most nutrient-poor spots—it’ll even grow over stone edges. Because it’s so resilient, it’s a go-to choice for cemetery plantings. It stays between 2 to 4 inches tall and produces lovely white flowers from June through August. Just keep in mind that this little succulent is a sun-lover and does best in bright, sunny spots.
++Bearberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri radicans)
Bearberry Cotoneaster is a very popular ground cover for gravesites, and for good reason. It features deep green leaves that look very orderly and grows to a height of about 4 to 8 inches. It blooms in May, followed by beautiful red berries that pop against the green foliage. Since it’s evergreen, it stays looking lush and well-kept all year round, even in the dead of winter.
++Thyme (Thymus)
Creeping thyme is another favorite for memorial gardens. This herb grows flat against the ground and produces tiny reddish-purple flowers when it blooms. One of the best parts? It releases a gentle, pleasant fragrance into the air. Thyme thrives in dry, crumbly soil, making it very easy to care for since it doesn’t need much water. All these traits make it a top-tier ground cover choice.
++Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Japanese Spurge grows a bit taller, reaching up to about 8 inches. If the site is located under a large deciduous tree, Pachysandra is the perfect ground cover. It’s strong enough to push its leaves and flowers through fallen autumn leaves without getting smothered. It’s generally low-maintenance, though you might want to give it a light trim occasionally to keep it from spreading too far.
++English Ivy (Hedera helix)
If you’re looking for a plant that radiates a sense of timeless peace, you can’t go wrong with English Ivy. This classic climber covers the ground in evergreen leaves and will gently wind its way up the base of small statues or headstones. It creates a romantic, slightly melancholic look that symbolizes eternal rest. Just be sure to bring your shears once in a while—ivy is an enthusiastic grower and can take over the whole site if left unchecked!
%%Boxleaf Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida “Elegant”)
A real “insider tip” for evergreen ground covers is Boxleaf Honeysuckle. Myrtle-like branches have been used for significant occasions since ancient times, and this plant offers a thick, attractive carpet of green leaves with small blooms starting in May. It handles pruning very well and is happy in partial shade. Best of all, it’s a slow grower, which means you won’t have to spend much time trimming it back.