Bring Diversity to UK Gardens with These 9 Ground Covers

Posted on 15/05/2025

Bring Diversity to UK Gardens with These 9 Ground Covers

Enhancing the natural beauty of your garden often means incorporating a variety of plant species that provide not just aesthetic appeal but also functional benefits. One of the best ways to do this is by introducing a diverse array of ground covers. These plants are ideal for filling in spaces, suppressing weeds, and adding an array of colors and textures to your landscape. Below, we explore nine versatile ground covers that can bring diversity to UK gardens.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme is a superb choice for those looking to add a fragrant and edible element to their garden. Its low-growing habit and dense foliage make it an excellent ground cover. It's perfect for planting between stepping stones or along the edges of garden paths. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, which is ideal for the UK's somewhat unpredictable weather.

• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained
• Benefits: Fragrant, attracts pollinators

2. Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

For a lush, green carpet that can withstand foot traffic, consider Irish Moss. This low-growing ground cover creates a velvety mat of tiny, needle-like leaves and produces small white flowers in late spring. Its soft texture and vibrant color make it an attractive addition to any garden, especially in shaded areas.

• Light: Partial shade to full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Benefits: Low maintenance, durable

3. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed is a versatile and easy-to-grow ground cover that adds a pop of color with its stunning blue flowers and attractive foliage. It can quickly cover large areas and thrives in a range of soil conditions, making it perfect for UK gardens. This ground cover is particularly useful for controlling erosion on slopes.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Benefits: Erosion control, colorful blooms

4. Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea')

With its bright yellow foliage, Golden Creeping Jenny can light up any shaded areas of your garden. Its trailing habit makes it beautifully cascade over edges and rocks. This hardy perennial can tolerate wet soils, making it an excellent option for water features or rain gardens.

• Light: Partial shade to full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Benefits: Bright foliage, adaptable to wet areas

5. Vinca Minor (Vinca minor)

Often known as periwinkle, Vinca Minor offers glossy green leaves and charming periwinkle-blue flowers. This vigorous ground cover can thrive in poor soil conditions, making it a resilient choice. It's particularly valuable in shaded gardens where many other plants may struggle to compete.

• Light: Full sun to full shade
• Soil: Poor to average
• Benefits: Shade tolerant, low-maintenance

6. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Known for its delightful scent, Sweet Woodruff is perfect for a shaded garden area. It produces clusters of tiny white flowers that add visual interest and fragrance during the spring and summer. Its leaves are often used in traditional recipes for May wine due to their sweet, hay-like aroma.

• Light: Partial to full shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Benefits: Fragrant blooms, attracts pollinators

7. Heuchera (Heuchera spp.)

Commonly referred to as Coral Bells, Heuchera offers a range of foliage colors from deep purple to lime green. It's useful as a ground cover and is also prized for its attractive flower spikes in summer. This plant prefers cooler climates, making it well-suited to the UK's environment.

• Light: Partial shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Benefits: Decorative foliage, hardy perennial

8. Fleeceflower (Persicaria affinis)

Fleeceflower is an easy-to-grow ground cover known for its long-lasting pink or red flower spikes. As the blooms mature, they gradually fade to a striking rust color. This plant is ideal for adding texture and color to rock gardens and slopes.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, fertile
• Benefits: Long blooming, drought-resistant

9. Evergreen Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Perfect for adding a touch of elegance to borders and rock gardens, Evergreen Candytuft boasts glistening white flowers in spring. This low-growing perennial maintains its lush green foliage year-round, offering visual interest even in winter.

• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, alkaline
• Benefits: Year-round interest, compact growth

Enhancing Diversity with Ground Covers

Incorporating ground covers into your garden design not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also contributes to biodiversity. Ground covers can protect soil from erosion, retain moisture, and provide habitats for wildlife. When selecting ground covers, consider factors such as light, soil, and climate conditions to ensure the best growth. With these 9 beautiful and resilient selections, your UK garden is sure to become a vibrant and lively space.

Happy gardening!