Revamp Your UK Garden with These 9 Ground Cover Picks

Posted on 15/05/2025

Revamp Your UK Garden with These 9 Ground Cover Picks

A well-maintained garden offers a retreat from the bustling world, inviting peace and beauty into your life. In the UK, where the climate can be challenging for many plants, selecting the right ground cover is essential. Ground covers not only add visual appeal but also help with weed suppression and soil erosion prevention. Here, we explore nine excellent picks to transform your UK garden into a lush paradise.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme is a hardy and aromatic ground cover that's perfect for UK gardens. Known for its fragrant foliage, this plant blooms in vibrant shades of pink, red, and purple. It's an excellent choice for rock gardens or between stepping stones due to its mat-forming nature.

• Benefits: Drought-resistant once established, attracts pollinators, low maintenance.
• Planting Tip: Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.

2. Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Heather, recognized for its evergreen foliage and beautiful blooms, is ideal for UK gardens, offering year-round interest with hues of white, pink, and purple flowers.

• Benefits: Winter hardy, provides seasonal color, attracts bees.
• Planting Tip: Prefers acidic soil and well-drained conditions.

3. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Ajuga reptans, or Bugleweed, is a versatile ground cover that thrives in shady areas. Its blue-violet flowers and rich green leaves act as a delightful undergrowth addition.

• Benefits: Tolerates a range of conditions, helps with weed control, creates dense mats.
• Planting Tip: Plant in moist, well-drained soil; suitable for shaded areas.

4. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle, also known as ground myrtle, is beloved for its glossy leaves and blue or white flowers. This ground cover plant is perfect for difficult-to-grow areas.

• Benefits: Tolerant of shade, fast-spreading, low maintenance.
• Planting Tip: Works well in shaded or partially shaded areas.

5. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum, with its succulent leaves and various flower colors, is ideal for rock gardens and borders. These plants are incredibly resilient to dry conditions.

• Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators, diverse species.
• Planting Tip: Prefers sandy, well-drained soil with ample sunlight.

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

Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', commonly referred to as Golden Creeping Jenny, offers a vibrant splash of yellow to any garden. It's perfect for edging borders or covering large areas.

• Benefits: Fast-spreading, vibrant foliage, tolerates wet conditions.
• Planting Tip: Prefers full sun for best leaf color but tolerates partial shade.

7. Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

Mondo Grass is an excellent choice for adding texture to your garden with its grassy leaves and compact form. This unique ground cover thrives in shaded locations.

• Benefits: Evergreen, low-growing, requires minimal care.
• Planting Tip: Adaptable, but performs best in moist, well-drained soil.

8. Woolly Yarrow (Achillea tomentosa)

Known for its feathery leaves and yellow flowers, Woolly Yarrow is a tough and drought-tolerant plant, perfect for sunny spots in your garden.

• Benefits: Low water requirements, attracts butterflies, resilient underfoot.
• Planting Tip: Ideal for poor soil conditions and full sun.

9. Bishop's Weed (Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum')

Bishop's Weed, with its variegated leaves, is a quick-spreading plant that can brighten up shaded garden areas. Despite its aggressive growth, it breaks the monotony with its striking foliage.

• Benefits: Fast-growing, covers unattractive areas, low maintenance.
• Planting Tip: Control its spread by using barriers or planting in confined areas.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ground cover plants can dramatically enhance the beauty and functionality of a UK garden. By incorporating a mix of these ground covers, you ensure both aesthetic diversity and resilience against adverse weather. We hope these versatile choices inspire you to revitalize your garden, offering a lush and captivating environment that will be cherished for years to come.