Low-growing evergreen ground covers are the ultimate secret weapon for a beautiful yard. They create a lush, living carpet that crowds out weeds and keeps your garden looking vibrant all year long, even when everything else has gone dormant.
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++Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
As the name suggests, Periwinkle gives you gorgeous foliage through both summer and winter. This low-creeping plant usually stays between four to twelve inches tall. Compared to its “big brother” (Vinca major), this variety is not only more compact but also a bit tougher. It’s a champ in cooler spots or soil that stays a little damp. Plus, starting in April, it treats you to a beautiful display of blue flowers.
++Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Reaching about four to eight inches in height, Snow-in-Summer is a fantastic choice for a ground cover or for tucking into the nooks and crannies of a rock garden. It’s incredibly hardy and low-maintenance, featuring silvery-gray, fuzzy leaves that spread quickly. While it loves a sunny spot, the real show starts in May when the plant is completely covered in a sea of star-shaped white blossoms.
++Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)
Wild Ginger is a lovely herbaceous plant with kidney-shaped, deep green evergreen leaves. It does produce small, bell-shaped flowers, though they tend to hide under the foliage. This is a go-to pick for those tricky shady spots in your garden. Because it spreads via rhizomes, it fills in quite nicely. Pro tip: Mix a little compost into the soil when planting to give it the best possible start.
++Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
Wintercreeper is a versatile workhorse in the garden. Depending on how you train it, it can climb walls or spread out as a dense ground cover. It blankets the earth with small, sturdy green leaves, creating a reliable evergreen carpet. It’s super easy to care for and keeps its color even in the dead of winter. It’s also a great choice for adding some life to the base of a garden shed or fence.
++Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
If you want a ground cover that appeals to both your eyes and your nose, Creeping Thyme is the way to go. This variety is very hardy and adapts well to different locations, making it a flexible addition to any landscape. During its blooming season, you’ll see stunning purple flowers. Even when it’s not blooming, the leaves release a wonderful fragrance whenever you brush past them.
++Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)
Japanese Spurge is a reliable subshrub that grows about six to ten inches tall. It spreads through underground runners, making it highly effective as a ground cover for larger areas. It’s not picky about soil and does great in the shade. When it blooms, it produces white flowers with distinctively thick stamens—which is actually where its German name (“Dickmännchen” or “Little Fat Man”) comes from!
++Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)
Hens and Chicks are incredibly tough succulents that can even grow on stony surfaces. They are perfect for rock gardens or adding greenery to old stone walls. They grow in beautiful, low-to-the-ground rosettes that stay green all year long. These plants are the definition of “set it and forget it”—they are extremely drought-tolerant and can handle the hottest summer months with ease.