Sun Loving Ground Cover Plants for your Garden

Utilizing ground covers can help to transform a bare or dull part of your yard into a beautiful,
low maintainance show area...
The suitability of a plant to use as a ground cover is determined by it's growing habits, not necessarily by size or by height. Typically, ground covers sprawl, spread, run, or colonize by reseeding. Some ground covers will only grow in full shade, others thrive in full sun, and still others will survive no matter where you grow them.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Height	Plant Characteristics and Notes	USDA Zones
African Daisy	Arctotis x hybrida	1-2 ft.	African Daisies typically have bold, beautiful foliage and large, 3"-4", intensely colored flowers with bright centers. The foliage is grey to silvery green and coated with soft, downy silver hairs. The flowers close at night.	9-11
Alpine Speedwell	Veronica allionii	8"x18"	Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Containers, Lawn Substitute This evergreen Veronica forms a tight mat of soft green foliage. An abundance of small spikes of light blue flowers arise in early summer. Mow or shear flower spikes down after bloom to keep neat.	4-9
Aubrieta	Aubrieta deltoidea	2-6"	Common Aubrieta is a vigorous growing, mat forming ground cover and rock garden plant. It is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, and rewards you with a long lasting cover of delicate flowers in early Spring.	4-9
Australian Saltbush	Atriplex semibaccata	1--2 ft.	The Creeping Saltbush is a low growing shrub from Australia with light green curly leaves. It will survive in areas where there is high levels of salt in the soil. Flowers in the summer are insignificant	9-11
Baby Sun Rose	Aptenia cordifolia	10"	The Baby Sun Rose is a trailing, succulent perennial with glossy green foliage. It produces bright 1" flowers in the spring and summer. Excellent for hanging baskets	9-11
Beach Daisy	Asteriscus maritimus	12"	Beach Daisies are low growing evergreen plants that grow 1 ft. tall with a 3-4 ft. spread. They have leathery, slightly fuzzy, silvery green foliage, and for 6-8 months of the year will cover themselves with 1"-1½", bright yellow Daisy flowers.	9-11
Beard Tongue	Penstemon Barbatus	12-24"	Tubular flowers in red, pink, purple, or white will be sure to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.	4-9
Bitter Root	Lewisia cotyledon	4-6"	Bitter Root plants produce clusters of 1" flowers on 10" stems in shades of white to pink or gold, occasionally with red and white stripes from spring to early summer. Easily hybridized Rock Garden plant. Lewisias can be grown as house plants.	5-8
Black Eyed Susan Vine	Thunbergia alata	6-20 ft.	The Black-Eyed Susan Vine is an evergreen, twining vine, most often grown as a long blooming annual. Black-Eyed Susan Vines have dark green, arrowhead-shaped, 3" leaves. They produce a profusion of brightly colored, 1½" bell-shaped flowers from early summer, well into the fall.	9-12
Black Mondo Grass	Ophiopogon planiscapus	6-12"	Black Mondo Grass grows as neat, slowly spreading, 4" tufts of ¼" wide, sweetly fragrant, straplike leaves. New foliage emerges dark green in spring then changes to dark purplish-black by summer.Loose spikes of small, light pink or white, bell shaped flowers appear in mid summer.	5-9
Blue Carpet	Campanula carpatica	6-12"	Blue or white bell shaped flowers through early Summer.	5-9
Blue Bugleweed	Ajuga genevensis	4-6"	Typical Ajuga with 8" blue flowers in the Spring. Deer Resistant ground cover	3-9
Blue Chalksticks	Senecio serpens	6-12"	Blue Chalksticks is a succulent sub-shrub from South Africa consisting of 4-6", ½-¾" thick, powder blue segments. In extremely hot areas, it should be protected from direct sun.	10-11

Blue Fescue	Festuca glauca	8-12"	Blue Fescue is a durable plant that grows in clumping mounds of fine blue foliage. They tend to die out in the center after a couple years and will need to be divided	4-9
Blue Star Creeper	Laurentia fluviatilis	2-4"	Blue Star Creeper is a fast growing, mat forming, light green walkonit ground cover. It covers itself with small star shaped flowers from May through June. Excellent filler between paving stones and in rock gardens	5-9
Bougainville	Bougainvillea	2-20 ft.	Bougainvillias produce some of the showiest display of colors of all vines. Most cultivars have an upright growth habit, but there are many shrubby varieties and creeping types as well.	9-10
Brass Buttons	Leptinella squalida	1-2"	The interesting feathery, fern like foliage of the New Zealand Brass Buttons may give the impression that it is a delicate plant, but in reality, it is a tough enough ground cover that it can take light foot traffic and is even used as a lawn substitute in many areas.	5-9
Bronze Sedge	Carex comans 'Bronze Form'	1-2 ft.	Bronze Sedge forms dense tufts of fine bladed bronze colored foliage. It is a good ornamental grass for growing in containers	7-9
Bugleweed	Ajuga reptens	4-6"	Ajuga grows well in full shade to full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions as long as soil is well drained.	3-9
Cape Marigold	Arctotheca calendula	3-6"	The Cape Marigold is a rosette forming evergreen that is commonly grown as an annual plant. It produces loose, aster-like flowers in the summer. Cape Marigold is considered invasive or noxious in some areas	10-11
Catmint	Nepeta faassenii	1-2 ft.	Catmint is a compact, upright branching perennial that grows 1-2 feet tall with a spread of 18". From early summer into fall, Catmint plants produce long, loose spikes of pretty, ½" violet-blue flowers. Cats love it, and it repels Aphids!	4-8
Cat's Foot	Antennaria dioica	2-6"	Cat's Foot is a mat forming North American native wildflower with durable silvery foliage. It produces light to bright pink flowers in late spring and early summer. Excellent mimi ground cover for hot and dry spots in the garden	5-9
Chameleon Plant	Houttuynia cordata variegata	6-12"	The red, cream and green colored foliage of Chameleon Plants will be the brightest when they are planted in full sun, but this ground cover will grow more vigorously in partial shade. It should be grown in boggy conditions or can be planted directly into ponds or along stream banks. Insignificant flowers appear in mid summer	5-11
Cinquefoil	Potentilla fruticosa	2-3 ft.	Potentillas prefer well-drained, reasonably rich soil, but will tolerate clay, rocky, or even slightly alkaline soils as well. Loads of pink or yellow 'buttercup' flowers in June.	2-7
Cotoneaster	Cotoneaster	3"-15 ft.	Cotoneaster is an extremely diverse genus of plants which includes ground covers, dwarf sized bushes and large sprawling shrubs. The flowers are generally small and appear from spring to early summer followed by bright red or orange berries for the birds to eat in winter.	vary
Coyote Brush	Baccharis pilularis	2-3 ft.	Coyote Brush is a fast growing evergreen shrub with small, bright green leaves. It blooms from July through October with clusters of tiny flowers. The male flowers are yellow, female flowers are white	7-10
Cranesbill	Erodium reichardii	3-6"	Erodiums are low growing plants that form compact, dense 12" evergreen mounds of tufted, dark green foliage with scalloped edges. From April until October they produce ½" saucer shaped, rose-pink flowers or white flowers with red veins.	7-10
Creeping Baby's Breath	Gypsophila repens	4-6"	Creeping Baby's Breath forms a low growing mat of tiny greyish green foliage and produces masses of small star shaped flowers in early summer. This plant is easily grown from seed or propagated by division. Trim back after blooming	3-9
Creeping Lily Turf	Liriope spicata	8-10"	Creeping Lily Turf is a grass like ground cover that grows as spreading clumps of fine, dark green leaves that turn to bronze-green in the winter. Lily Turf produces spikes of tiny flowers in late summer, followed by dark blue berries in late fall.	4-10
Creeping Mazus	Mazus reptans	1-3"	These Cup Flowers are fast spreading ground cover plants that quickly form a dense mass of jagged light green foliage. Covers itself with pretty, orchid-like flowers in the late spring. Good for planting between pavers or as a carpet-like border planting	5-9
Creeping Speedwell	Veronica prostrata	6"x24"	Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Borders, Woody, mat forming plant with coarsely serrated edges. Produces loose spikes of small blue, star shaped flowers in early summer. Deadhead spent flowers for a rebloom in early fall. Drought tolerant once established.	5-9
Creeping Speedwell	Veronica repens	1"x18"	Groundcover, Rock Gardens Forms a fast growing, spreading evergreen mat of small, glossy green leaves. Produces small, pale blue or white flowersall spring. Ideal for growing between flagstones.	5-9
Creeping Zinnia	Sanvitalia procumbens	6-10"	Creeping Zinnia is a bright little yellow flowering annual plant. They should be planted in rich, well draining soil, in full sun.
Cup and Saucer Bellflower	Campanula calacanthema	8-12"	There are about three hundred different species of Campanula. This annual variety prefers full sun and rich, well drained soil and should be kept well watered, especially when in bloom.
Cup Flower	Nierembergia	6-9"	Cup Flowers are long lasting annual plants that produces hundreds of 1", upturned star shaped flowers from late spring until mid fall. It is great for hanging baskets and planters or as a quick ground cover
Dwarf Baby's Breath	Gypsophila muralis	3"	Spreading mat of greyish foliage; abundant clusters of pink or white flowers from late Spring until early Summer	5-10
English Daisy	Bellis perennis	3"-6"	The original English Daisy is the wild Daisy often seen growing in lawns. This biennial plant has now been hybridized to include double flowering varieties in shades of white, pink, rose-red or purple. The bright 2" flowers appear in succession, on 6" stems from April through June.	4-10
Evening Primrose (hardy)	Oenothera speciosa	6-18"	The hardy Evening Primrose is a compact, low growing, mound forming wildflower that is native to most parts of the United States. It produces an abundance of 1-2" pink or white cup flowers all through the summer	5-8
Fairy Fan Flower	Scaevola aemula	8-12"	Fan Flower plants are fast growing tender evergreen perennials that only grow 8"-12" tall but will spread up to 5 feet. Fan Flowers are sprawling plants with light green, coarsely toothed foliage. The 1"-1½" flowers are produced in abundance from spring through fall.	9-11
False Spirea	Astilbe chinensis	6-24"	The fern like foliage and the showy plume flowers of False Spirea make them a favorite summer flowering perennial.	6
Fringed Yellow Loosestrife	Lysimachia ciliata	1-2 ft.	Fringed Loosestrife is an outstanding, fast growing North American wildflower that grows in upright mounds of deep purplish green foliage. Each stem becomes studded with small golden flowers in mid summer. Excellent contrast near lighter foliage plants	5
Ground Ivy	Glechoma hederacea	2-3"	Ground Ivy is an aggressively growing, evergreen ground cover. It will survive almost anywhere that there is sufficient moisture. The five inch spikes of tiny orchid-like flowers appear continuously from March through July	Hardy
Ground Morning Glory	Convolvulus mauritanicus	1 ft.	Ground Morning Glories are drought resistant, evergreen perennials that are useful as ground covers, rock gardens and border plantings. They have fuzzy grayish green leaves and pretty, funnel shaped lavender blue flowers in the Summer	7-9
Hardy Purple Ice Plant	Delosperma cooperi	3-5"	The Hardy Purple Ice Plant is a vigorous growing succulent ground cover. Dozens of bright magenta, Daisy-like flowers in mid to late Summer. Needs good drainage	5-7
Hardy Yellow Ice Plant	Delosperma nubigenum	2"	Hardy Yellow Ice Plant is an evergreen succulent plant. Due to its vigorous carpeting growth habit it is outstanding ground cover and rock garden plant. The plant covers itself with hundreds of yellow daisies in late spring.	5-10

Heartleaf Saxifrage	Bergenia cordifolia	10-15"	Bergenia's clusters of purple-pink flowers are produced atop twelve inch burgundy stems in the early spring. Glossy 8 inch heart shaped leaves	3-9
Hungarian Speedwell	Veronica austriaca	12"x18"	Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Borders, Containers Mound forming evergreen with 1"-2", oval, deep green leaves. Six inch spikes of intensely colored, deep blue flowers appear in summer and last for 3-4 weeks.	5-9
Ice Plant	Carpobrotus chilensis	6-12"	The Ice Plant is a creeping, mat-forming succulent ground cover from South Africa. 1-2" magenta flowers, low maintenance, requires good drainage, may become invasive	9-10
Ice Plant	Lampranthus aurantiacus	14"	This Ice Plant is a winter growing, succulent sub-shrub from South Africa. The flowers are bright and dramatic but they will fail to open without full sun	9-10
Indian Mock Strawberry	Duchesnea indica	4-6"	The Indian Strawberry is not a true strawberry, but it is a rapidly spreading, evergreen ground cover that will survive harsh conditions. The fruit is fairly flavorless but it is edible and plentiful all summer long.	6-10
Ivy Geranium	Pelargonium peltatum		The Ivy Leaved Geranium is a frost tender, climbing and trailing, semi succulent perennial that produces clusters of orchid-like flowers at the vine tips all summer. Good in hanging baskets. They can be propagated by softwood cuttings or grown from seed	9-11
Irish Moss	Sagina subulata	<1"	Irish Moss is an excellent terrarium plant. Mosses grow primarily in lightly shaded areas. Thousands of tiny Moss plants will bunch together to make a single patch of moss.	5-10
Kangaroo Lobelia	Dampiera diversifolia	3"	Kangaroo Lobelia is a creeping perennial herb from Australia that produces masses of bright purplish blue flowers in spring and summer. This plant is useful as a ground cover or container plant	8-10
Knotweed	Persicaria bistorta	2-3 ft.	Knotweed or Bistort plants are low maintenance, quick growing, semi-evergreen perennials with bright green, lance shaped leaves. Knotweed plants produce -bottlebrush-like spikes of tiny, pink, bell-shaped flowers on leafless stems that rise above the foliage from late spring into early fall.	4-9
Lady's Mantle	Alchemilla mollis	12-18"	Lady's mantle is a clump forming perennial with light green foliage that resembles that of the Geranium except that Lady's Mantle has crinkled edges. Tiny, star-shaped flowers appear in loose clusters in late spring to early summer	4-8
Lily Turf	Liriope muscari	18"	Lily Turf are relatively slow spreading plants that eventually form large, 24"-30" wide clumps of loose, 18" tall, ½" wide leaves. Lily Turf plants form 6"-8", spikelike clusters of ¼", white or purple flowers in late summer.	6-10
Lime-green Sedge	Carex comans 'Frosted Curls'	1 ft.	Frosted Curls produces compact clumps of fine silvery green foliage with curly ends. It is deer resistant plant and will tolerate wet conditions	7-9
Lotus Vine	Lotus maculatus		The Lotus Vine is a semi hardy hanging or ground crawling vine that is most often grown as an annual plant. The foliage consists of fine, 1-2", silvery blue needle like leaves. Produces lots of bright, 'parrot beak' shaped flowers in late spring and early summer. Excellent for hanging baskets or to cascade down a rockery	9-11
Mexican Daisy	Erigeron karvinskianus	6-15"	Mexican Daisies are a readily trailing perennial that produce abundant white daisy-like flowers that turn to pink as they age. Excellent as a ground cover or in rock gardens	8-10
Mondo Grass	Ophiopogon japonicus	6-10"	Mondo grass slowly forms tight, 24" matted clumps of 8"-12" long, 1/8" wide, bright green, grass-like foliage. Spikes of small, lavender or light purple flowers appear in the late summer	6-9
Mountain Avens	Dryas drummondii	4"	Mat of dark green, Oak-like leaves; 1 1/2 inch white flowers in early Summer	2-9
Mountain Rose	Lewisia tweedyi	4-8"	Rosettes of fleshy 3-6" evergreen leaves; satiny peach-pink flowers from Spring to Summer; requires perfect drainage	5-9
Mountain Speedwell	Veronica montana	3"x12"	Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Borders, Containers Spreading, mound forming groundcover with small, variegated, cream and green leaves with scalloped edges. Produces small clusters and tiny lilac flowers in late spring into early summer.	3-9
Natal Plum	Carissa macrocarpa	4-8 ft.	Natal Plum is a quick growing tender shrub with thick, shiny, oval 1-2" leaves. The fruit is edible, but the leaves contain toxic sap. Thorns along the stems.	9-11
Ozark Sundrops	Oenothera missouriensis	3-10"	The Ozark Sundrop is an easy to grow trailing plant that will grow 6"-10" tall and form a 24" clump. This night blooming plant will produce a succession of short lived blooms from late spring until mid summer if the dead flowers are removed promptly.	4-10
Panakenake	Pratia angulata	2-6	Panakenake is known by many names including Creeping Pratia. It is a fast growing, spreading, fine foliaged ground cover from New Zealand. It will be covered with small flowers from early spring until fall.	7-9
Pansy	Viola	3-8"	Pansies may be cool season annuals, biennials, or hardy perennials. They may bloom in early spring or fall depending on the species. Planting time is critical	6-9
Phlox	Phlox subulata	4-6"	Mat growing fine foliage with masses of 1 inch, fragrant, star shaped flowers (white, blue, pink or red) in Spring	3-10
Plecostachys	Plecostachys serpyllifolia	1-2 ft.	Plecostachys is a sturdy and drought tolerant, low growing shrub from South Africa. It has dense, very fine textured, light green or light grey foliage and produces Yarrow like flowers from mid summer to early fall	9-11
Red Dragon Fleeceflower	Persicaria microcephala	2-3 ft.	The Red Dragon Fleeceflower is a fast growing, low maintenance, spreading perennial that grows 2-3 feet tall, with a 3 foot spread. They are known for their bright red stems and stunning, 3"-4", lance shaped, deep burgundy leaves. The sprays of tiny, white flowers and the foliage are both useful in cut flower arrangements.	4-9
Red Spike Ice Plant	Cephalophyllum speciosum	5"	Red Spike Ice Plant is a clustering (to 18") succulent ground cover. It will produce two inch red flowers in winter and early spring. Requires well draining soil	9-11
Rockcress	Arabis sturii	6-8"	Rockcress is a mound forming, easy plant to grow. The small green leaves are usually jagged and sometimes hairy. Good for rock gardens or as a ground cover plant	4-9
Rocky Point Ice Plant	Malephora lutea	6-12"	The Rocky Point Ice Plant is a fast growing, very succulent ground cover from South Africa. In extremely hot regions it should be planted in partial or light shade to avoid sun burn	9-10
Sandwort	Arenaria montana	6"	Sandwort forms a mossy looking, mounding mat of deep green foliage. It produces a mass of small 1" flowers in late spring. Good for rock gardens or as a ground cover	4-9
Scotch Heather	Calluna vulgaris	6-36"	Heather is a compact, shrubby, evergreen ground cover plant from Northern Europe that covers itself with spires of tiny, brightly colored bell-shaped flowers from late summer through fall.	4-9
Self Heal	Prunella laciniata	3-6"	Self Heal is a low growing, creeping perennial which is useful in rock gardens or as a ground cover. The plant will produce an abundance of 8-12 inch spikes of white, pink or purple blossoms from May through July.	4-9
Showy Dewflower	Drosanthemum floribundum	6"	The Showy Dewflower is a slow spreading ground cover from South Africa. The succulent foliage is greyish green. The brightly colored flowers persist throughout the summer. May become invasive if not contained	9-11
Silver Carpet	Dymondia margaretae	1-2"	Silver Carpet is a ground hugging evergreen ground cover from South Africa. The short blades of felt textured, grey green foliage lay nearly flat, giving the illusion of a frosted lawn. Silver Carpet is a good filler between paving stones, a good ground cover and has even been used as a substitute for a lawn.	8-11
Silver Mound Artemisia	Artemisia schmidtiana	10-12"	Silver Mound Artemisia forms a low growing, 12-24" mound of fragrant, fern-like, silvery grey foliage. The flowers that appear in mid summer are tiny and insignificant. Excellent accent plant for borders and rock gardens	3-9	x
Silver Shamrock	Oxalis adenophylla	3-4"	Also known as Pink Carpet Oxalis, the Silver Shamrock is a very hardy, bulb type plant with beautifully pleated, silvery-blue foliage and pink flowers with violet-pink tips and cranberry centers from late spring into summer.	4-10
Snow in the Summer	Cerastium tomentosum	4"	Invasive plant... loose clusters of white, one inch flowers; narrow, woolly oblong leaves	3-10
Soapwort	Saponaria ocymoides	4"	Forms thick mat of ground covering, fine foliage; hundreds of small pink to red flowers cover the plant in early Spring	4-10
Spike Speedwell	Veronica spicata	24"x36"	Containers, Cut Flowers Compact, spreading, clump forming plant with deep green or silvery, felt-like foliage. Produces 12" airy spikes of tiny flowers all summer. Remove spent flower spikes regularly to extend blooming season.	6-10
St. John's Wort	Hypericum calycinum	18-60"	St. John's Wort is a vigorous grower that is useful for erosion control but it can be invasive. This drought tolerant plant thrives on neglect. Herbal and Medicinal uses of St. John's Wort plants	3-9
Tall Speedwell	Veronica longifolia	36"x18"	Containers, Cut Flowers Deciduous, clump forming plant with soft, deep green foliage with serrated edges. Produces long lasting, dense, 6" spikes of tiny flowers from late spring until mid summer. Cut plant back to 12" after blooming for a repeat show in the fall.	6-10
Thyme	Thymus	1-12"	Thyme is an evergreen perennial herb, native to the Mediterannean region. The dried leaves are used for cooking. Creeping Thyme forms low growing clumps that spread to about 1 ft. Bush Thyme forms a small, foot tall shrub. Flowers from late spring and through the summer. Thyme needs well draining soil.	4-9
Trailing African Daisy	Osteospermum fruticosum	8-12"	The Trailing African Daisy is a tender perennial, grown as an annual in most areas. It will rapidly spread to cover a 2-3 ft. area with its light green, two inch foliage. It will produce masses of pretty, daisy-like flowers sporadically throughout the year. Deadhead for more blooms	9-10
Treasure Flower	Gazania	6-8"	The Treasure Flower's brightly bi-colored, daisy-like flowers are 2-5 inches in diameter, growing atop 6-12 inch stalks. The foliage is somewhat grasslike, but narrow at the base and widening toward the tip.
Turkish Speedwell	Veronica liwanensis	3"x24"	Groundcover, Rock Gardens, Lawn Substitute Tough, drought tolerant evergreen, mat forming plant with tiny, glossy, evergreen leaves that turn reddish bronze in hot sun. Covers itself with clusters of bright blue flowers all summer. Tolerates occasional walking. Requires good drainage	5-9
Twinspur	Diascia barberae	6-12"	Twinspurs are a vigorous growing, tender perennials that are closely related to the Snapdragon. They have small, heart shaped foliage and grow from 6"-12" tall, forming 8"-20" clumps. From late spring until early fall, they produce bright pink or salmon colored, 1/2"-3/4" flowers.	8-10
Violets	Viola sp	2-6"	Violets are dainty little self seeding versions of the Pansy. Their seeds can be directly sown into the garden at anytime from spring through fall, but the seeds need darkness and 70° to germinate	4-8
Wild Lilac	Ceanothus cuneatus	4-8 ft.	The Wild Lilac or Buckbrush is a drought tolerant shrub, native to the west coast. The sprays of white to light blue flowers are very fragrant in late Spring	6-10
Wild Strawberry	Fragaria chiloensis	6"	Wild Strawberries look about the same as the Strawberries that are cultivated for their fruit and their care is the same, but this variety is grown primarily as a ground cover due to its thick growing, glossy foliage. The fruit is edible but not very flavorful	4-9
Woolly Thyme	Thymus pseudolanuginosus	1"	Spreading mat of tiny, hairy, light green foliage; covered by tiny pink flowers in mid Summer. Several aromatic Thymes are also available.	3-9
Woolly Yarrow	Achillea tomentosa	9-12"	Woolly Yarrow is a very durable and low maintenance perennial with aromatic, greyish green, strap-like leaves. It produces small clusters that continue throughout the summer. Very drought tolerant	5-10

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