Ground cover plants form a dense, lush carpet of vegetation that often bursts with flowers. As seasoned gardeners know, they're ideal for replacing grass in tricky spots like steep embankments, shady undergrowth, or areas where lawns demand too much upkeep. For a truly sustainable garden, integrate ground covers everywhere—not just the hard-to-reach places where mowing is a chore.
A pristine lawn offers a walkable, emerald expanse, but it comes at a cost. Yellowing patches in heatwaves or cold snaps are all too common, and the maintenance is relentless.
Ecologically, lawns are demanding: they guzzle water and fertilizers, often polluting soil and groundwater—especially when paired with chemical weedkillers. Even golf courses, once prime offenders, are shifting toward greener practices.
Resilient grass varieties still require watering, fertilizing, scarifying, aerating, mowing, and pest control, complicating life for any gardener.
Established ground covers, by contrast, thrive with minimal intervention—a light trim or occasional water at most. Far less time than endless mowing and irrigating.
While lawns have their place, ground cover perennials can transform grassy areas effortlessly. Shrubs and conifers work well too.
Small-leaved variegated ivy: Ivies excel as ground covers
Hypericum olympicum (St. John's wort)
Perennial geranium: A top ground cover choice
Perennial geranium: A top ground cover choice
For more inspiration, check our guide to creating perennial beds.
Erigeron karvinskianus
