9 Key Ground Cover Plants to Advance Your UK Garden

Posted on 15/05/2025

9 Key Ground Cover Plants to Advance Your UK Garden

Adding ground cover plants to your UK garden can serve multiple purposes. Not only do they help in suppressing weeds, but they also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal by adding texture and color. These plants are perfect for filling gaps, preventing soil erosion, and even enhancing the soil's fertility. In this article, we'll explore 9 key ground cover plants that will elevate your garden to the next level.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme is an excellent choice for those looking to add a fragrant touch to their garden. This plant is not only aromatic but also attracts bees and other beneficial insects. Creeping Thyme thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for rock gardens and pathways.

Benefits of Creeping Thyme

• Low maintenance and drought-tolerant
• Perennial plant that returns year after year
• Ideal for filling gaps between stepping stones

2. Lavender (Lavandula)

Known for its mesmerizing scent, Lavender is another fantastic ground cover option. With its compact growth, it forms a dense mat that helps suppress weeds. Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a versatile addition to any UK garden.

Why Choose Lavender?

• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
• Offers a gentle and alluring fragrance
• Can be used in crafting and culinary applications

3. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle is a robust ground cover plant that maintains its foliage throughout the year. With its glossy green leaves and blue or violet flowers, it adds a splash of color even in shaded areas. This plant is particularly well-suited to controlling erosion on slopes.

Advantages of Periwinkle

• Evergreen foliage that provides year-round interest
• Thrives in shaded and partial sun areas
• Quick-spreading, effectively covering large areas

4. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

This is another low-maintenance plant, perfect for those busy gardeners. Its variegated leaves and spiky blue flowers create a compelling visual appeal. Bugleweed prefers partial to full shade, making it versatile in different garden setups.

Benefits of Bugleweed

• Tolerant of various soil types
• Evergreen leaves that add constant interest
• Fast-growing, perfect for filling in large areas swiftly

5. Heuchera (Heuchera spp.)

Also known as Coral Bells, Heuchera provides vibrant foliage that varies in color. Its leaves can be purple, red, and even silver, offering a colorful array for the garden. This plant performs well in shaded areas, making it perfect for under trees or in shadowed garden nooks.

Why Heuchera?

• Variability in foliage colors adds depth
• Flowers attract pollinators in the spring and summer
• Thrives in shaded to partially sunny locations

6. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet Woodruff adds a sweet aroma and a lush texture to any garden setting. With its white, star-shaped flowers, it's an attractive addition to shaded beds. It's also used for culinary and medicinal purposes, adding to its versatility.

Advantages of Sweet Woodruff

• Rapid growth makes it a great ground cover
• Fragrant plant used in herbal teas and remedies
• Does well in shaded and damp environments

7. Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

The Alpine Strawberry serves dual purposes by providing ground cover and edible fruit. This multifunctional plant grows well in partial shade and offers small, flavorful berries during the summer months.

Why Consider Alpine Strawberry?

• Offers edible fruit throughout the summer
• Attracts wildlife such as birds and pollinators
• Produces a lush green carpet, perfect for various settings

8. Hardy Geranium (Geranium spp.)

With its vibrant flowers and sprawling growth habit, Hardy Geraniums make an excellent choice for ground cover. They do well in a wide range of soils and environmental conditions, providing both flowers and foliage to enjoy.

Benefits of Hardy Geranium

• Long flowering period from spring until fall
• Tolerant to various soil types and conditions
• Low maintenance and drought-resistant

9. Wild Ginger (Asarum europaeum)

Wild Ginger is an evergreen ground cover with glossy leaves that grow in attractive patterns. This shade-loving plant is ideal for under trees, creating a lush green base throughout the year.

Why Wild Ginger?

• Forms a dense cover, excellent for suppressing weeds
• Maintenance-free once established
• Tolerant of deep shade, perfect for woodland gardens

Enhancing your UK garden with these diverse ground cover plants will not only improve its appearance but also ensure a healthier, more sustainable environment. Whether you are looking to add fragrance, attract pollinators, or simply beautify your space, these ground-covering options offer numerous benefits and cater to various gardening needs.