Hardy ground covers are the unsung heroes of the garden. They create lush green carpets, brighten up those awkward bare spots, and many of them keep their pretty foliage even when the temperature drops. Today, I’m sharing some of the most popular winter-hardy ground covers to help you level up your landscaping—plus, I’ll let you in on my personal favorite.
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++Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
If you have a spot with deep shade where nothing seems to grow, the robust Japanese Spurge is your new best friend. It’s incredibly winter-hardy and forms a dense mat so quickly that weeds don’t stand a chance. This evergreen stays low to the ground, reaching about eight inches in height. Look closely in late April, and you’ll spot charming (though subtle) white flower spikes peeking out from its leathery leaves.
++Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Creeping Juniper is perfect for creating a textured, evergreen needle carpet. Its branches hug the ground, stacking up to about 8 to 20 inches high. While it produces small catkins in spring that turn into blue-black berries, keep in mind they aren’t for snacking! This sun-lover thrives in open spaces. Just a heads-up: it doesn’t play well with the root systems of larger trees, so avoid using it as an underplanting.
++Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
This beauty is a fantastic choice for partial to full shade. It spreads via runners to create a soft, dense cover. The slightly fuzzy leaves stay on the plant through winter and take on a gorgeous bronze-brown hue in the fall. From late spring through summer, you’ll get airy spikes of creamy white or pink flowers that smell lovely and provide a much-needed snack for local bees and butterflies.
++Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei var. radicans)
If you want year-round color, Wintercreeper is a winner. Its foliage shifts beautifully in the fall and winter, and it grows so thick that weeds can’t penetrate the “carpet.” It produces tiny, subtle flowers in June, followed by very cool-looking orange seed capsules. It’s a low-maintenance shrub that prefers shade or partial sun—honestly, you can pretty much plant it and forget it.
++Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Commonly known as Vinca, this tough-as-nails plant uses long, trailing stems to cover large areas in no time. It only grows about 4 to 6 inches tall, making it a classic choice for planting under trees or shrubs in shady spots. From April to June, it’s covered in pretty violet-blue flowers. You can also find varieties in white, red-violet, or pale blue. Just a quick safety note: all parts of this plant are toxic, so keep that in mind if you have curious pets.
++Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping Phlox is a garden staple for a reason. In early April, it explodes into a sea of white, pink, red, or purple star-shaped flowers that smell amazing. The needle-like foliage forms a tight, vibrant green cushion that stays low (2 to 6 inches). Creeping Phlox loves a sunny spot, is totally frost-proof, and can even handle a bit of a dry spell without complaining.
++English Ivy (Hedera helix)
When it comes to cold resistance, English Ivy is one of the most reliable ground covers out there. It’s a champion at covering ground where nothing else will grow, and it’s happy in both sun and shade. The variegated or veined leaves are super decorative, and because it blooms late in September, it’s a vital food source for pollinators preparing for winter.
%%Two-Row Stonecrop (Sedum spurium)
Also known as Caucasian Stonecrop, this is my “secret tip” for a stunning garden. It’s a succulent that’s completely winter-hardy and forms a thick, fleshy carpet very quickly. The leaves have a cool scalloped edge, and from June to August, the plant is covered in clusters of white, pink, or red flowers. It’s incredibly hardy, loves the sun, and requires almost zero attention from you.