Transform your UK garden with these 9 excellent ground covers

Posted on 10/09/2025

Transform Your UK Garden with These 9 Excellent Ground Covers

Are you looking to revitalize your UK garden? Ground covers are a fantastic choice to add texture, color, and interest to your outdoor spaces. These low-growing plants can transform a bland landscape into a vibrant and lush environment. In this article, we explore nine of the best ground covers suitable for UK gardens, ensuring your green space is both beautiful and low-maintenance.

1. Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

Lady's Mantle is an excellent choice for British gardens, thanks to its ability to thrive in various conditions. This hardy perennial is known for its distinctive foliage with serrated edges and its charming yellow flowers.

Why Choose Lady's Mantle?

• Thrives in both sun and shade.
• Tolerant of various soil types.
• Requires minimal maintenance once established.

2. Thyme (Thymus spp.)

Thyme is not only a culinary herb but also a wonderful ground cover that adds fragrance and flavor to your garden. It prefers sunny spots and well-drained soil, making it perfect for rock gardens and between paving stones.

Benefits of Planting Thyme

• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
• Visually appealing with its delicate purple flowers.
• Easy to care for with low water requirements.

3. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a popular ground cover choice due to its fast growth and vibrant green leaves that turn golden in the fall. It's ideal for moist areas in your garden, such as around ponds or in damp borders.

Advantages of Creeping Jenny

• Provides a brilliant burst of color throughout the year.
• Adapts well to shaded areas.
• Works beautifully in container gardens.

4. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

Ajuga, also known as Bugleweed, is a versatile ground cover that offers attractive foliage and blue flower spikes. It's an excellent option for shady areas and can effectively suppress weeds.

Reasons to Include Ajuga

• Forms dense mats that prevent soil erosion.
• Easy to propagate by division.
• Resistance to pests and diseases.

5. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

Chamomile lawns, with their delightful scent, can replace traditional grass in sunny parts of your garden. This ground cover is known for its resilience and charming daisy-like flowers.

Why Plant Chamomile?

• Produces a pleasant fragrance when walked upon.
• Low maintenance and drought tolerant.
• Attracts beneficial insects such as hoverflies.

6. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

With their succulent leaves and vibrant flowers, Sedums are perfect for dry areas and can add a modern touch to your garden landscape. These plants are ideal for rockeries and borders.

Perks of Growing Sedum

• Extremely drought resistant.
• Offers a wide range of leaf textures and colors.
• Thrives in poor soil conditions.

7. Moss (Bryophyta)

Moss is an ideal option for shaded and woodland gardens, creating a lush, velvety carpet. It's particularly good for creating a natural look and feels at home in damp settings.

Benefits of Moss

• Makes a statement with its rich, green appearance.
• Requires little to no maintenance.
• Prefers damp, shaded conditions, ideal for UK gardens.

8. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Vinca Minor is a robust ground cover that produces lovely purple flowers. It works well in most soil types and environments, although it prefers shade to partial shade locations.

Why Vinca Minor Stands Out

• Offers year-round interest with its evergreen leaves.
• Fast-growing and can quickly cover large areas.
• Highly effective at weed control.

9. Heuchera (Alumroot)

Heuchera offers a spectrum of foliage colors ranging from deep reds to lime greens, making it a dynamic choice for adding color contrast. These plants thrive in partial shade and are excellent for border edges.

Advantages of Heuchera

• Diverse foliage colors to complement other plants.
• Resistant to rabbit and deer damage.
• Easy to grow in containers or garden beds.

Transforming your garden with these efficient ground covers can lead to a lush, vibrant, and low-maintenance landscape. Whether you want to fill empty spaces, replace high-maintenance lawns, or add a pop of color, these nine selections provide options for every taste and garden condition. Embrace the possibilities today and watch your UK garden come to life.

For more gardening tips and ideas, consider exploring resources that specialize in UK climates and regional gardening practices. Your garden makeover starts here!