9 ground cover plants to bring life to your UK garden

Posted on 15/05/2025

Transform Your UK Garden with These 9 Vibrant Ground Cover Plants

If you're looking to add colour and texture to your UK garden, incorporating ground cover plants is an excellent way to create a verdant, inviting landscape. These plants are not only functional, helping to suppress weeds, but they also add beauty and character to your garden floors. Here, we delve into nine versatile ground cover plants that thrive in the diverse climates of the UK, bringing life and vibrancy to your outdoor space.

The Value of Ground Cover Plants in Your Garden

Ground cover plants are crucial for any successful garden. They naturally discourage weed growth, help manage moisture levels, and can stabilise soil, preventing erosion. Moreover, they provide a habitat for beneficial insects and create stunning carpets of colour beneath shrubs and trees.

Key Benefits of Ground Cover Plants

• Weed Suppression: Dense foliage prevents weeds from finding the light they need to thrive.
• Soil Stabilisation: Their roots help in holding the soil intact, curbing erosion.
• Moisture Retention: They trap soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
• Improved Aesthetic: Adds a layer of greenery that beautifies and fills the empty spaces.
• Wildlife Support: Many ground covers provide nectar and habitat for pollinators.

Choosing the Right Ground Cover Plants

When selecting ground cover plants for your garden, consider the specific conditions of your landscape, including soil type, sunlight availability, and moisture levels. Let's explore the optimal choices for UK gardens:

1. Ajuga reptans (Bugle)

Ajuga reptans, commonly known as Bugle, is an evergreen perennial known for its stunning spikes of blue flowers which bloom in late spring. This plant is ideal for shady areas of your garden, making it a perfect ground cover for those tricky spots beneath trees and large shrubs. The leaves range from dark green to bronze, adding a rich texture to your garden floor.

Tips for Growing Bugle

• Light: Tolerates full sun to partial shade, although best in shade.
• Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soils.
• Spacing: Plant about 15-30cm apart for optimal coverage.

2. Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)

The Lesser Periwinkle, or Vinca minor, is a shade-tolerant plant famous for its glossy green leaves and charming star-shaped purple flowers. This hardy plant needs minimal care and quickly forms a thick mat, effectively suppressing weeds.

How to Cultivate Lesser Periwinkle

• Light: Best in partial to full shade.
• Soil: Versatile, tolerates clay to loam soils.
• Care: Requires occasional pruning to keep it in check.

3. Lamium maculatum (Spotted Deadnettle)

Spotted Deadnettle is admired for its variegated leaves, often sporting white or silver markings. The plant produces delicate pink, white, or purple blooms that stand out beautifully against its foliage, creating a vibrant carpet effect.

Growing Conditions for Spotted Deadnettle

• Light: Enjoys partial to full shade.
• Soil: Well-drained soil rich in organic matter is ideal.
• Maintenance: Prune regularly to encourage new growth and prevent legginess.

4. Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-Summer)

The aptly named Snow-in-Summer, or Cerastium tomentosum, blankets your garden with a white sea of flowers in early summer. Its silvery, woolly leaves provide year-round interest, making it a versatile addition to rockeries and borders.

Care Instructions for Snow-in-Summer

• Light: Thrives in full sun.
• Soil: Requires well-drained, sandy soil.
• Spread: Prone to spreading, so may need control in smaller gardens.

5. Thymus serpyllum (Wild Thyme)

Wild Thyme, or Thymus serpyllum, is a fragrant, mat-forming herb that attracts bees with its pink flowers. It's particularly suited for rock gardens and sunny borders, where it brings a Mediterranean feel to your UK garden.

Optimal Conditions for Wild Thyme

• Light: Needs full sun.
• Soil: Prefers dry, well-drained soil.
• Spacing: Plant about 25cm apart to quickly achieve coverage.

6. Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)

Galium odoratum, commonly known as Sweet Woodruff, offers fragrant foliage and tiny white flowers. This shade-loving plant is perfect for filling in gaps under larger trees and shrubs, where its emerald leaves create a lush understorey.

Caring for Sweet Woodruff

• Light: Thrives in full shade.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil is best.
• Uses: Ideal for woodland gardens and shady borders.

7. Waldsteinia ternata (Barren Strawberry)

Waldsteinia ternata, or Barren Strawberry, is a robust ground cover with bright yellow flowers that bloom in spring. Its evergreen nature makes it a reliable choice for year-round coverage in both sunny and shady areas.

Requirements for Barren Strawberry

• Light: Tolerates full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: Versatile, grows in various soil types.
• Spread: Moderate, making it manageable and easy to contain.

8. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Coral Bells, known scientifically as Heuchera, are cherished for their stunning foliage ranging from green to deep purple. These plants add a lush elegance to any garden setting, and their spikes of tiny bell-shaped flowers attract pollinators.

Coral Bells Growth Tips

• Light: Thrives in partial sun to shade.
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil is preferable.
• Spacing: Allow 30cm between plants for airflow and healthy growth.

9. Sagina subulata (Irish Moss)

Despite its name, Irish Moss, or Sagina subulata, isn't a moss but forms a dense, lush mat with small starry white flowers. It's an excellent choice for between pavers, providing a soft, green cushion underfoot.

Growing Irish Moss

• Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: Needs moist but well-drained soil.
• Care: Regular watering in dry periods will maintain its lush appearance.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right ground cover plants for your UK garden can transform your outdoor space into a lively, vibrant sanctuary. Each plant listed here offers unique benefits and beauty, ensuring there's a suitable choice for any garden condition. By understanding your garden's light, soil, and moisture preferences, you can pick the perfect varieties to create a dynamic and visually captivating garden floor.

Incorporating these ground cover plants not only elevates the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also enhances its ecological health, supports local wildlife, and offers low-maintenance beauty that endures through the seasons. Transform your UK garden today by planting these versatile, colourful, and resilient ground covers.