Unique groundcovers that will amaze you
June 2025
Phlox ‘Violet Pinwheels’ is an intense display of purple-blue on semi-evergreen foliage in early spring. (photos by Beth Burrell)
by Beth Burrell, Contributing Columnist
Looking for a groundcover that stands out from all the rest? Here’s a selection that’s adaptable, worthy of foot traffic and will enhance your landscape’s aesthetics. These hardy perennial living carpets are robust enough to endure foot traffic, making them perfect for walkways, narrow paths and rock gardens. Their compact size also adds a finishing touch to the landscape, offering a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality.
Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’ is covered in delicate sky-blue flowers in April which compliments the dwarf gold Acorus grass tucked into the next stepping stone. Both are evergreen and love part-shade.
In my woodland garden, the first spring standout is Creeping Speedwell (Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’), with brilliant blue flowers blanketing its evergreen foliage in April. Despite its delicate appearance, this six-inch gem is resilient, thriving even in rocky, dry soils. Planted close by is Dwarf Sweet Flag (Acorus minimus aureus), boasting small golden grass-like leaves in a tight swirling mat. This colorful sweetie enjoys boggy conditions yet will tolerate clay soil and is deer resistant.
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Violet Pinwheels’), a native cultivar, offers one of the most vibrant purple-blues available. It forms a lush evergreen mat, reaching a height of only four inches, and is less aggressive, thriving best in full sun. A quick shear after flowering will keep it tidy and promote new growth. Its semi-evergreen leaves will shed a few during winter, but fresh growth appears in spring.
Vivid gold teardrop leaves on Ajuga ‘Cordial Canary’ are covered in deep purple spike flowers in April.
Bugleweed (Ajuga ‘Cordial Canary’) produces an impressive three-inch-tall mound of narrow, vibrant yellow-gold leaves that expand beautifully, showcasing striking blue-lavender flowers in spring. This unique variety thrives in morning sun to partial shade and prefers slightly moist soils, often hard to find in typical garden centers, so ordering online is the key to snagging this beauty.
Miniature Stonecrops are ideal, and I love mixing several varieties to enhance texture and color as they blanket the ground. A standout combination includes Sedum ‘Blue Carpet’ with its light grey foliage and Sedum ‘John Creech’ with tiny shell-shaped leaves blooming pink early in summer. These deer- and rabbit-resistant sedums fit perfectly into small crevices or between stepping stones, beautifully complementing larger perennials.
Strawberry geranium is extremely versatile and adaptable to both moist and very dry soil conditions once established.
While a moist area in the garden can be a challenge, I’ve discovered a groundcover that thrives in part-shade, damp conditions and is one of the most drought-tolerant options available: Strawberry geranium (Saxifraga stolonifera). It spreads through runners, quickly filling challenging spots. I absolutely adore the airiness of its light pink starry flowers that rise six inches above silvery green leaves — a real delight in the late spring garden.
One groundcover to watch out for is Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia ‘Aurea’). Its eye-catching chartreuse foliage is tempting, but be warned that it grows and spreads with relentless vigor. Once established, it’s almost impossible to remove, as its roots and runners delve deep into the soil.
The impact of groundcovers is incredible — many can be walked on and are adaptable to various site conditions, making them ideal for filling gaps between pavers, tiny nooks and walkways. These “green mulches” will spread around the garden, bringing your landscape to life for you to enjoy.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia ‘Aurea’); is inviting, but be warned that it spreads in the garden with unyielding stamina and is almost impossible to remove once established.
Beth Burrell holds degrees in landscape design and ornamental horticulture. Her family gardens have been featured on the TV show Home Grown.