Not everyone is born with a green thumb or a desire to turn their yard into an oasis. While you may like the concept of a beautiful garden, the very idea of spending all your time maintaining it can be enough to put you off. However, there can be a way to benefit from a beautiful backyard and one that’s also low maintenance. Read on to find out which ground cover plants may be worth your while for saving you time in the backyard.
Creeping Thyme
Whether you’re looking at a lawn substitute or want a burst of color in your garden, creeping thyme might be an ideal option for you. It’s a low-growing perennial that requires minimal effort to grow and effectively fills in small gaps and spaces.
Ask any lawn and garden experts like Thankyourlawn, and they will sing this ground cover plant’s praises. It’s not only beautiful, but it’s edible and releases a lovely aroma, similar to mint.
Spotted Dead-Nettle
If you’re worried about poor soil quality, then spotted dead-nettle may be a ground cover plant worth your consideration. It thrives in various soil types and can spread out as far as two feet wide. It also grows no higher than around 12 inches.
While it wouldn’t be suitable as a lawn alternative, it borders gardens and fills gaps beautifully. You can then spend less time weeding and more time doing the things you love.
Sedum – Dragon’s Blood
s the name suggests, Dragon’s Blood is a red form of ground cover that grows in sunny landscapes across the United States and spreads quickly. It can cover rock gardens, fill gaps in pathways, and even grow down walls. In spring, it lies dormant with green leaves but comes to life with brilliant red flowers, which then turn to burgundy by fall.
Blue Star Creeper
Not everyone wants to spend their free time mowing lawns. In that case, ground cover plants have an essential part to play. Blue star creepers can take the place of your grass, saving you from spending hours behind a push mower.
This beautiful plant fills gaps in pathways, takes up weed-growing areas under shrubs, and functions as a form of turf. While it can look worse for wear in winter, it bounces back in spring.
Foamflower
If you’re looking for native ground cover plants, foamflower may pique your interest. With an abundance of blossoms and a striking color scheme, it stands out from the crowd.
The foamflower is a perennial that can grow up to three feet wide with white and pink flowers and blue/green foliage. It’s low-maintenance, loves sun and shade, and is available in clumping and trailing varieties. It has also been cross-bred with coral bells in recent years, which means you can purchase a showier, more vibrant variety if you wish.
Whether you’re trying to avoid weeds or don’t want to spend long hours in the garden, ground cover plants can be your best friend. There are plenty of options to choose from, so you’re bound to find a variety that suits your unique climate and preferences.