Best Groundcovers For Small Gardens

Are you trying to find ways to decorate your small garden with low-growing plants that require minimal maintenance? If so, you've come to the right place. As a botanical and gardening expert, I'm going to introduce you to the world of groundcovers. These types of plants are perfect for small gardens as they not only add beauty to your landscape but also provide numerous benefits, including weed control, soil conservation, and erosion prevention. So, if you're ready to learn about the best groundcovers for small gardens, keep reading!

What are Groundcovers?

Groundcovers are low-growing plants that spread horizontally to form a dense mat. They have several uses in landscaping, such as filling in bare spots in the lawn, controlling erosion on slopes and banks, and covering the ground beneath trees and shrubs. Groundcovers are versatile and can adapt to various growing conditions and soil types, making them an excellent choice for small gardens.

Benefits of Using Groundcovers in Small Gardens

If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your small garden, using groundcovers can be an excellent option to consider. Groundcovers refer to any low-growing perennial plant that can quickly cover a large area. Here are some of the benefits of using groundcovers in your small garden:

1. Reduce weeds: Groundcovers act as a natural weed barrier, which can help reduce the amount of time and effort needed to maintain your garden.
2. Soil conservation: Groundcovers help protect soil from erosion, which is especially important on slopes or in areas that receive heavy rainfall.
3. Water conservation: Groundcovers can reduce water evaporation from the soil, which can help conserve water in dry regions.
4. Attract beneficial insects: Groundcovers can attract beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, which can help improve pollination and control harmful pests.
5. Enhance curb appeal: Groundcovers can add texture, color, and variety to your garden, making it more attractive and visually appealing.

Whether you are working with a small or large garden, groundcovers can be a great way to improve the overall health and appearance of your outdoor space. When choosing groundcovers, be sure to consider their growth habit, water and light needs, and maintenance requirements, to ensure they are a good fit for your specific garden conditions.

Top 3 Low-Maintenance Groundcovers for Small Gardens

If you're looking for groundcovers for your small garden that require little maintenance, we've got you covered. Here are our top three picks:

1. Creeping Thyme

   Creeping thyme is a low-growing, fragrant plant that spreads quickly and requires very little maintenance. It's a great option for small gardens because it can fill in gaps between stepping stones, rock features, and other areas without taking up too much space. Creeping thyme flowers in the summer and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

   It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, but can tolerate light shade. Once established, it requires little watering and only needs occasional pruning to keep it looking tidy.

2. Creeping Sedum

   Creeping sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a hardy groundcover that comes in a variety of colors and textures. It's drought-resistant and can thrive in poor soil conditions, making it an ideal choice for low-maintenance gardens. The plant blooms in late summer and fall, producing clusters of small, colorful flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

   Creeping sedum prefers full sun or partial shade and doesn't require much watering once established. It can be pruned in the spring to remove dead growth and maintain its shape.

3. Deadnettle

   Deadnettle, or Lamium, is a shade-tolerant groundcover that's ideal for small gardens with limited sunlight. It comes in a variety of colors and has a long bloom time, producing lovely pink, purple, or white flowers in the spring and summer. Deadnettle is also deer-resistant, making it a great choice for gardens in rural areas.

   This groundcover prefers moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate some drought. It requires little maintenance and can be trimmed back in the fall to keep it under control.

Each of these low-maintenance groundcovers are great options for small gardens. They require little watering, pruning, and upkeep, leaving you with more time to enjoy your outdoor space. Plant any of these groundcovers in your garden and you'll have a beautiful, low-maintenance groundcover that will thrive for years to come.

Best Flowering Groundcovers for Small Gardens

Groundcovers are the ultimate solution to cover bare earth quickly, with non-stop color and texture to prevent weeds and save water and maintenance. Groundcovers can also prevent soil erosion and provide food and habitat for pollinators. Here are some of the best flowering groundcovers suited for small gardens.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus ssp.) – This groundcover has fragrant foliage with various shades of green and gold, topped with pink, purple, and white flowers. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and can be used as a lawn alternative or to form a carpet under shrubs and trees.
2. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) – This low-growing evergreen plant carpets the ground with masses of fragrant pink, blue, purple, or white flowers in spring. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, and can be used on slopes, rock gardens, and between stepping stones.
3. Veronica (Veronica spp.) – This hardy and versatile groundcover has deep green foliage with spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers from spring to fall. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and can be used on borders, rock gardens, and between pavers.
4. Dianthus (Dianthus spp.) – This compact, evergreen groundcover has narrow grey-green leaves and profuse pink, red, or white flowers with a spicy fragrance from spring to summer. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and can be used on edgings, walls, and containers.
5. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) – This mat-forming perennial has tiny green leaves and star-shaped blue flowers from spring to fall. It prefers moist soil and full sun to partial shade, and can be used between paving, in rock gardens, and as a filler for borders and containers.

When selecting groundcovers, make sure they are appropriate for your growing zone, soil type, and sunlight exposure, and avoid invasive species that can take over your garden. With proper selection and care, groundcovers can transform your small garden with low-maintenance beauty and biodiversity.

Groundcovers for Shade-Loving Plants in Small Gardens

Small gardens with shaded areas can be a challenge when it comes to choosing the right groundcover. Fortunately, many plants thrive in low-light conditions and are perfectly suited for such areas. Here are some of the best groundcovers for shade-loving plants in small gardens:

1. Deadnettle: A popular choice for shaded areas, deadnettle has attractive foliage and blooms with small flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. It grows well in most soil types and spreads quickly, making it a great option for filling in empty spaces.
2. Hosta: With its large, vibrant leaves, hostas are a popular choice for adding visual interest to shaded landscapes. They require minimal maintenance and thrive in well-draining soil. Hostas come in a variety of colors and sizes, from small and compact to large and sprawling.
3. Creeping Jenny: This low-growing groundcover has bright yellow-green foliage and can provide great contrast in shaded areas. It does well in damp soil and can even be grown near water features. Creeping Jenny is known for spreading quickly, so it's important to keep it in check if it begins to overrun other plants.
4. Periwinkle: Periwinkle is a versatile groundcover that can handle a range of soil types and lighting conditions. It produces delicate flowers in shades of blue, purple, and pink and can provide great ground coverage in shaded areas. It's important to note that periwinkle can become invasive if not kept in check, so regular pruning is recommended.
5. Foamflower: As the name suggests, the foliage of foamflower has a frothy, airy appearance. It produces small, delicate flowers in shades of pink and white and can do well in both sun and shade. Foamflower thrives in moist soil, making it a good choice for areas with heavy rainfall or frequent watering.

When choosing groundcovers for shaded areas, it's important to consider the specific needs of each plant and the soil type and lighting conditions of the garden. By selecting the right groundcovers, small gardens with shaded areas can be transformed into beautiful and lush landscapes.

Tips for Choosing and Planting Groundcovers in Small Gardens

Groundcovers are an excellent addition to small gardens as they not only provide visual interest but also suppress weed growth and retain moisture in the soil. However, choosing the right groundcover and planting it correctly is essential for its success. Here are some tips to help you choose and plant the best groundcovers for your small garden.

1. Consider the growing conditions

Before choosing a groundcover, it's important to consider the growing conditions of your garden. Factors such as sun exposure, soil type, and moisture will determine what types of groundcovers will thrive in your garden. For instance, if your garden is shady, you might want to consider planting ferns or hostas as they are shade-loving plants.

2. Choose the right type of groundcover

There is a wide variety of groundcovers to choose from, including creeping thyme, sedum, creeping phlox, and many others. Consider the height, color, and texture of the groundcover you choose to ensure it complements your garden's design and meets your visual preferences.

3. Plant at the right time

It's crucial to plant the groundcover at the right time to ensure it establishes well. Spring and fall are typically the best times to plant groundcovers as the cooler temperatures and increased moisture help the plants settle in. However, some groundcovers can be planted during the summer, provided they are watered well.

4. Prepare the planting area

Preparing the planting area before planting will help ensure success. Remove any weeds, rocks, or debris from the area and loosen the soil to a depth of six inches. Amend the soil with organic matter if necessary, and level the area to ensure the groundcover will grow evenly.

5. Plant the groundcover properly

Be sure to follow the planting instructions for the specific groundcover you choose. In general, dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, add some compost or fertilizer to the hole, and then plant the groundcover at the same depth it was growing in its nursery pot. Water the groundcover well, and cover the planting area with mulch to help retain moisture.

6. Maintain the groundcover

Proper maintenance of the groundcover is essential for its success. Water the plants regularly, especially during dry spells, and fertilize them as needed. Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth. Lastly, remove any dead leaves or stems as needed to keep the groundcover healthy and looking its best.

By following these simple tips, you can select and plant the right groundcover for your small garden, and enjoy its beauty and benefits for years to come.