10 Awesome Space-Filling Ground Covers For Bare Spots In Your Garden

Filling in those bare patch can translate a patchy yard into a lush arras of grain and color ! I know how frustrating it is to spot unsightly gap between perennials or around stepping stone — peculiarly when weeds seize those vacancies . Ground covers slide in like green superheroes , crush weeds , conserving wet , and adding seasonal interest without take perpetual guardianship .

In this list , we ’ll search ten fantastic ground covers — each with its own native stock , growth habit , and notes on invasiveness ( or want thereof ) . You ’ll also discover how these spreading plants invite beneficial wildlife — like solitary bees nesting in cool mulch under depressed leafage or ladybird beetle shelter in dense mats — bend every naked spot into a bustling microhabitat . have ’s dive into these verdant carpet - makers and pick the perfect match for your garden ’s needs !

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet woodruff hail from the shady woodlands of central and southern Europe , where its delicate whorls rug the forest floor in leaping . This noninvasive perennial frame depressed pitcher’s mound of tiny , star - shaped leaves that exude a sweet , hay - like sweetness when smash — perfect for shadowed patches under tree !

Early in the time of year , cluster of lily-white , four - petaled heyday pull in hoverflies and modest lone bee , which often nest in the at large soil beneath the foliation . As the season warms , the foliage remain , curb weeds and keeping dirt cool . I love tucking it under fern — its sonant scent feels like an invitation to linger in your garden ’s cooler corner !

Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

Native to Europe , ajuga — also known as bugleweed — spreads via runners to create a dense mat of glossy , bronze - tint leaves . In spring , its cobalt - patrician flower capitulum arise just above the foliage , creating a striking contrast that draw bumblebees and honeybee in lookup of early ambrosia .

While ajuga can naturalize smartly in moist , shady beds , it seldom becomes encroaching in well - tend gardens . Its mouse habit stop locoweed in effect , and its evergreen leaves allow for yr - round coverage . I sprinkle new runners into bare spots , and within calendar week , they root and fill every nook , making ajuga one of my go - to land top !

Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

Corsican sight is a tiny powerhouse from Mediterranean regions . These teeny , round leaf form a lithesome carpet that releases a minty aroma underfoot , consummate between pavers or around stepping stones ! easy over-embellished flowers come along in summer , attracting aboriginal lonesome bees that sometimes nuzzle in the crack beneath the thick mat .

Because it delay under two inches marvelous and is n’t aggressive like some mint species , Corsican mint is noninvasive in most home gardens . I adore how each whole tone gives a little waft of mint — transforming a childlike paseo into an aromatic journeying through a sunlit Mediterranean courtyard !

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme , native to Europe and North Africa , spreads wide on sparse stems crowned with midget , fragrant leaf . In early summer , it erupts in a carpet of pink , lavender , or white blossoms that beckon butterflies and honeybees . Their vacillate visit often chair to nesting in nearby rock music crevices or bare soil plot .

Highly drouth - large-minded once establish and noninvasive , creeping thyme thrives in full sun and well - run out grime . It ’s idealistic for fill up gravel course or bare gay point . I make happy in soft , padded thyme under my feet — plus , it ’s an eatable flat coat blanket that flavors soups and stews !

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny , originally from Europe , brightens shaded or sunny areas with its pea green , coin - mold leaves . Its speedy riding habit fills undercoat speedily , and in tardy outpouring , bantam yellow flowers attract hoverflies and syrphid tent-fly , whose larvae prey on aphid in nearby beds .

While it can be vigorous in moist ground , Creeping Jenny seldom becomes invasive if kept in check by butt against or periodic thinning . I be intimate using it to soften pool edges or shower over retaining walls — its fountain - alike spread adds both colour and life to water feature !

Sedum (Sedum spurium)

Two - row stonecrop , native to Russia and northerly Europe , take form a tight lustrelessness of succulent leaves that range from green to burgundy , depending on sun photograph . In midsummer , clusters of starry pink blooms unresolved , inviting butterflies and solitary bees to sip nectar and sometimes nest in nearby ground litter .

Sedum spurium is noninvasive , drought - tolerant , and prosper in hot , sunny spots with skimpy , well - drain soil . I often plant it in rock gardens or nude slopes — its sarcoid leafage and blushful flowers produce a living arial mosaic that dance in the sunlight !

Mazus (Mazus reptans)

Originating from Asia ’s craggy region , Mazus reptans is a cutter perennial that quick covers unsheathed ground with shining leaves and snapdragon - like flowers in blueish , purple , or white . bloom in tardy spring , it run diminished bees and hummingbird moths , which nest in sheltered crevices under its foliage .

Mazus is n’t encroaching , but its fleet spread make it perfect for filling gaps between stepping stones or along garden edges . Its semi - evergreen substance abuse keeps soil covered into winter , and I love the cheerful , humbled - growing efflorescence that carpet my paths like living roofing tile !

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb ’s pinna , aboriginal to central Asia , swash fuzzy , argent - greenish leaves that feel as soft as velvet . It shape low clumps that quickly edge bed or occupy sparsely planted areas . In early summer , marvelous spike of pinkish flowers emerge , attracting native bee that sometimes nest in nearby rodent burrows or hollow stem .

While well - behave in most garden , lamb ’s ear benefits from good flow of air to prevent mould . Its wooly foliage cater year - round texture and suppresses grass , arrive at it a joy in sunny , well - drained spot . I retrieve its tactile depart irresistible — utter for sensory garden or kids ’ touch trails !

Vinca Minor (Vinca minor)

Vinca nestling , or periwinkle , herald from Europe and offers evergreen ground covert with showy leaves and violet - depressed flowers in spring and periodically through summer . These flower attract bee and once in a while small-scale butterflies , which nest in nearby leaf litter .

Though genus Vinca can naturalize in shaded timberland , it seldom becomes invasive in cultivated gardens when borders are monitored . Its dense lusterlessness suppresses weeds and stays green yr - round . I plant genus Vinca under shrub where other plants scramble , and its gentle peak unhorse up dark corners beautifully !

Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

Native to Japan and China , pachysandra take form a thick evergreen carpet of glistening leaves that thrives in cryptical shade . In early spring , frothy white flower spike come out , attracting tiny hoverflies and midges , which sometimes make nest in the mulch beneath .

Noninvasive in most regions , pachysandra is perfect for underplanting beneath tree diagram or along compass north - facing walls . Its resiliency to foot dealings make it useful near pathway , and I apprize how it maintains a nifty , green presence even when footling else will grow in the tad !