9 Ground Cover Plants to Perfect Your UK Garden

Posted on 15/05/2025

9 Ground Cover Plants to Perfect Your UK Garden

Transforming your UK garden into a vibrant, low-maintenance haven can be as simple as selecting the right ground cover plants. These plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for adding texture, preventing soil erosion, and suppressing weeds. Here are nine exceptional ground cover plants to enhance your landscape.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping Thyme is a delightful choice for UK gardens, known for its fragrant foliage and pink-purple blooms. This creeping herb is ideal for rock gardens and in-between stepping stones, offering a low-maintenance option that thrives in sunny conditions.

• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy soil
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established

Why Choose Creeping Thyme?

Besides its delightful aroma and beautiful blossoms, Creeping Thyme is an excellent choice for attracting bees and other pollinators to your garden.

2. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Known for its stunning purple-blue flower spikes, Bugleweed offers an evergreen ground cover solution perfect for shaded areas. This hardy plant spreads quickly and creates a lush carpet of rich green leaves.

• Light: Partial to full shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
• Watering: Regular watering for optimal growth

Advantages of Bugleweed

Bugleweed is a fantastic ground cover for adding bold color contrasts and can easily fill in bare spots under trees or shrubs.

3. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

Lilyturf brings a touch of elegance with its grass-like foliage and vibrant violet flowers. It's an adaptable option that performs well under a variety of conditions, making it a favorite in UK gardens.

• Light: Sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil
• Watering: Moderate watering required

Lilyturf Benefits

Ideal for borders and edging paths, Lilyturf can also endure light foot traffic and is resistant to many pests and diseases.

4. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet Woodruff is a charming choice for shaded spaces. Its white star-shaped flowers and fragrant foliage add an enchanting element to any garden, especially in spring.

• Light: Full to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil
• Watering: Requires consistent moisture

Sweet Woodruff's Unique Appeal

This plant not only serves as a delightful ground cover but also has a long history of use in traditional medicine and aromatherapy.

5. Golden Marjoram (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum')

Golden Marjoram adds a splash of sunny color with its golden-yellow foliage. This perennial herb is aromatic and versatile, suitable for herb gardens and mixed borders alike.

• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil
• Watering: Low water needs

The Versatility of Golden Marjoram

Golden Marjoram not only brightens the landscape but also attracts beneficial insects and is a wonderful culinary herb.

6. Wild Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum)

Known for its resilience and beauty, the Wild Geranium is perfect for adding a touch of color with its vibrant pink or magenta flowers. The foliage remains lush throughout the season.

• Light: Sun to partial shade
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
• Watering: Regular watering recommended

Celebrating Wild Geranium

Wild Geranium is deer-resistant and can thrive even in challenging soil conditions, making it a durable choice for any landscape.

7. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

This miniature member of the mint family, Corsican Mint, forms a dense mat of tiny leaves that release a delightful aroma when stepped on. It's perfect for small spaces and container gardens.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist

Corsican Mint's Culinary & Aesthetic Value

Beyond its visual appeal, Corsican Mint is excellent for use in culinary recipes and is a natural choice for those who admire aromatic gardens.

8. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle offers a traditional touch with glossy evergreen foliage and charming violet-blue flowers. It is an exceptional choice for erosion control and quickly covers large areas.

• Light: Full shade to sun
• Soil: Adaptable to various soil types
• Watering: Tolerates dry conditions once established

Periwinkle's Practical Charm

With its rapid growth and versatility, Periwinkle is perfect for covering ground in wooded areas and slopes where other plants may struggle.

9. Heuchera (Heuchera spp.)

Often referred to as Coral Bells, Heuchera boasts a striking variety of foliage colors from deep purple to vibrant green. Its bell-shaped blooms add visual interest and texture to garden beds.

• Light: Partial shade to full sun
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil
• Watering: Regular watering needed

Heuchera's Standout Features

The diversity of leaf colors and textures make Heuchera a standout addition to any garden setting, whether used in borders or containers.

Incorporating ground cover plants can significantly enhance the aesthetic and functional value of your garden. They offer benefits like soil protection, weed suppression, and creating a picturesque landscape that thrives throughout the seasons. Choose from these nine exceptional plants to customize your UK garden and enjoy a lush, vibrant outdoor space year-round.