Enhance your UK garden with these 9 delightful ground covers

Posted on 16/05/2025

Garden Lawn

Enhance Your UK Garden with These 9 Delightful Ground Covers

Creating a lush and vibrant garden doesn't always have to mean high-maintenance plants. In the UK, enhancing your garden can be as simple as introducing ground covers that not only contribute aesthetically but also offer practical benefits. Below, discover nine delightful ground covers that will transform your landscape.

Why Choose Ground Covers for Your UK Garden?

Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread across the soil surface. They serve multiple purposes:

Soil erosion control: Their dense growth helps prevent soil from washing away.
Weed suppression: Ground covers often outcompete weeds, offering a natural solution for maintaining garden beauty.
Moisture retention:
Seasonal interest: Many varieties provide colour and texture changes throughout the year.

Now, let's explore the nine delightful ground covers perfect for any UK garden.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme is a popular choice due to its fragrant foliage and delicate purple flowers. It's not only drought-tolerant but also thrives in poor soil, making it ideal for those low-maintenance areas of your garden.

Light requirement: Full sun.
Ideal for: Border edges and pathways.

2. Chamomile Lawn (Chamaemelum nobile)

Known for its aromatic scent, Chamomile is a classic ground cover with lush, green foliage. Its apple-like aroma makes it perfect for relaxing garden spaces.

Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade.
Ideal for: Creating fragrant, soft lawns.

3. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

This hardy perennial is famous for its striking purple flower spikes and evergreen foliage. Lilyturf can withstand diverse climatic conditions and adds year-round interest.

Light requirement: Partial to full shade.
Ideal for: Shaded areas and woodland gardens.

4. Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)

Wintercreeper offers various foliage colours, from dark green to golden hues. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for different garden styles.

Light requirement: Sun to full shade.
Ideal for: Versatile use across various garden settings.

5. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

Known for its vibrant purple foliage and deep blue flowers, Ajuga is a fast-spreading ground cover that thrives in shady spots.

Light requirement: Full shade to part sun.
Ideal for: Shady slopes and under trees.

6. Saxifrage (Saxifraga stolonifera)

This delightful ground cover produces delicate white flowers resembling dainty stars. It's excellent for filling gaps between rock garden plants.

Light requirement: Partial to full shade.
Ideal for: Rock gardens and container gardens.

7. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet Woodruff produces leaves in a whorled pattern, topped with tiny white flowers. Its sweet fragrance intensifies when dried, making it excellent for potpourris.

Light requirement: Shade to part shade.
Ideal for: Shaded garden paths and flower beds.

8. Snow-In-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

Renowned for its silvery foliage and snow-white flowers, Snow-In-Summer creates a stunning carpet effect, ideal for sunny areas.

Light requirement: Full sun.
Ideal for: Sunny borders and rock gardens.

9. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

This tiny, fragrant mint variety forms a dense carpet of greenery, emitting a delightful minty aroma. It's often used as a living mulch.

Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun.
Ideal for: Herb gardens and between stepping stones.

Achieving a Breathtaking UK Garden

By integrating these stunning ground covers, you'll create a garden that's both visually appealing and functional. Consider using these plants to fill unsightly gaps, reduce maintenance efforts, and provide habitat for wildlife.

Remember to choose varieties that align with your garden's light and soil conditions. With the right selection, your UK garden will flourish, becoming a striking testament to the beauty and practicality of ground covers.