Tired of weeding? Discover 10 easy-blooming groundcovers that add vibrant color and suppress weeds all year long! Perfect for lazy gardeners and busy homeowners.
Groundcovers are low-maintenance landscaping heroes if you want to do a little less work weeding and mulching in your flower gardens. They effectively suppress weeds, prevent erosion, and add a beautiful layer of texture and color to your flower beds.
But beyond their practical benefits, many groundcovers also boast stunning blooms throughout the season and add year round interest too.
If you’re looking to add a touch of floral flair to your landscape while minimizing upkeep, then look no further than these 10 easy-blooming groundcovers.
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10 Easy Blooming Groundcovers That Will Add Year-Round Interest
I have to admit, as a gardener with more than 25 years of experience, I have not been the biggest advocate for groundcovers. For most of my gardening life, I tried to jam a lot of different flowers in a half-acre piece of property. But since moving here a few years ago that has LOTS of groundcover to speak of, I’ve learned to appreciate them a bit more.
They do a great job of suppressing weeds and adding low-to-the-ground color. While I don’t want my gardens covered in them, they are great to use if you want a more low-maintenance approach to garden care.
Now I say this with one caveat. You must check with your local cooperative extension to make sure whatever you plant is not on your state or country’s invasive list. Cause the last thing you want to do is plant a garden thug that will take over your garden, your neighbor’s garden, or local ecosystem. And some groundcovers can do that. Always know before you grow.
Here are some of my favorite groundcovers that bloom!
Periwinkle (Vinca)
A fantastic low-maintenance bloomer, periwinkle (vinca) is a versatile groundcover that thrives in zones 4 to 9. Its evergreen foliage adds year-round texture, while classic lavender-blue blooms emerge in spring to brighten up shady or partially shaded areas.
Periwinkle thrives in shady to partially shaded areas, making it a perfect choice for brightening up those overlooked corners of your yard.
Bonus? Periwinkle is also deer resistant, so you can enjoy its beauty without worrying about hungry herbivores.
We’ve got lots of periwinkle around our property and it’s probably one of my favorite groundcovers. But keep in mind, it can get a little unruly so you might need to keep it in check.
Epimedium (Barrenwort)
Epimedium is a shade-loving elegant perennial plant that is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to those overlooked corners. It’s crazy easy to grow and thrives here in my zone 6b garden!
This perennial groundcover flourishes in zones 4 to 8, boasting delicate flowers in shades of yellow, pink, or purple in the spring. The attractive heart-shaped foliage provides textural interest throughout the season. Deer tend to avoid epimedium, making it a worry-free choice for shady areas.
We sheer it back in early spring to get a beautiful flush of foliage and flowers. I’d never grown barrenwort before moving here as my former garden lacked shade. But let me be the first to tell you how pretty this groundcover is in spring!
Liriope (Lilyturf)
Liriope offers grassy charm with a delightful surprise. This easy-care perennial thrives in zones 4 to 10, tolerating full sun to shady locations. While its narrow, evergreen foliage provides year-round texture, the true showstopper arrives in late summer.
Spikes of purple flowers rise above the leaves, adding a touch of vertical interest and a burst of color. Liriope is also deer resistant, so you can enjoy its beauty without browsing worries.
In early spring, we mow it back to get a flush of fresh growth. For those that have been following me for a while, you know how much liriope I’ve been removing from the gardens. It’s a great groundcover but we have way too much of it here. So I’ve been slowly removing it from the gardens for more interesting annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.
But I’ll tell you, it is weed-free and quite beautiful. So if you want to add some texture that has some movement, liriope is a great option for your flower beds.
As an aside, when we have removed it, we set liriope plants behind a back shed until we have a chance to replant it. Would you believe that it has continued to grow being out of the ground for over two years? So if you are at all concerned about this plant’s hardiness, lilyturf is tough as nails.
Pachysandra
A shade lover’s dream, pachysandra is a low-growing evergreen groundcover that thrives in zones 5 to 8b. It forms a dense carpet of glossy, emerald-green foliage, perfect for suppressing weeds in shady areas.
While not as showy as some other blooming groundcovers, pachysandra produces delicate white flowers in early spring, adding a subtle touch of elegance.
Deer also tend to leave pachysandra alone, making it a worry-free choice for shady landscapes. Important note: Be aware that pachysandra can be invasive in some areas, so check with your local gardening resources before planting.
I’ve never really loved pachysandra in my gardens. In my former garden, I dug it all out to plant a rose and berry garden. And here, we are slowly removing it little by little. For my garden, pachysandra has its place but it’s not one I opt to plant. We have lots of pachysandra under some tree canopies and in our formal garden, and I don’t mind it there.
Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Bugleweed (Ajuga) is a fast-growing and versatile groundcover that thrives in zones 4 to 10. It tolerates both sunny and shady locations, making it a great choice for a variety of landscapes.
Bugleweed forms a dense mat of attractive foliage, often with scalloped edges, and explodes with spikes of blue or purple blooms in the spring. Deer tend to avoid bugleweed, so you can enjoy its year-round appeal and beautiful flowers without browsing worries.
Be aware that due to its vigorous growth habit, bugleweed may require occasional trimming to keep it from spreading excessively. We have a bunch here and I can attest to how quickly it spreads. Ajuga is so pretty when it blooms but I don’t love it the rest of the growing season.
That said, I have no plans to remove it but instead have been strategically moving it around so it fills in around my perennial plants to create a more everblooming look in the beds.
Creeping Thyme
This low-growing herb isn’t just for culinary use. Creeping thyme is a fragrant and functional groundcover that thrives in zones 4 to 9. It prefers sunny locations with well-drained soil and rewards you with a sprawling mat of green foliage that releases a lovely thyme scent when stepped on.
Creeping thyme forms a fragrant mat of green foliage that explodes with pink or purple flowers in summer. Plant creeping thyme in a sunny location with well-drained soil to enjoy its full potential.
Deer tend to avoid creeping thyme, so you can enjoy its beauty and aromatic qualities without worry. This little powerhouse is perfect for sunny walkways, rock gardens, or anywhere you can appreciate its low-maintenance charm.
I’ve been seriously considering adding some between my patio rocks by the front pond garden. What do you think?
Stonecrop (Sedum)
Succulent lovers rejoice! Many varieties of sedum are fantastic groundcovers. They come in a wide range of colors and foliage textures, offering season-long appeal. Look forward to star-shaped flowers appearing in summer or fall, adding another layer of beauty to these already interesting plants. Most sedums prefer full sun to part shade.
We’ve got some in the backyard zen garden that grows like a weed! It looks really pretty when it blooms but I do find myself keeping it check all season long to keep it looking tidy.
Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox is a charming evergreen groundcover that brings springtime cheer to zones 4 to 8. It flourishes in both full sun and partially shaded areas, offering adaptability for various landscapes.
Creeping phlox forms a moss-like carpet of green foliage that explodes with vibrant blooms in spring. These blooms come in shades of pink, purple, or white, creating a stunning floral display. Deer tend to avoid creeping phlox, so you can enjoy its year-round presence and beautiful spring flowers without worry.
This low-maintenance groundcover is perfect for adding color and texture to garden beds, borders, or rock gardens. Don’t be fooled by its delicate appearance, creeping phlox is a surprisingly resilient groundcover. I’ve been growing creeping phlox for most of my gardening life and it’s one of my favorites to grow.
Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium)
This shade-tolerant groundcover is a winner for its unique variegated foliage. In spring, look for pops of color with pink or purple blooms that emerge amongst the interesting leaves. Spotted deadnettle is a great choice for adding visual interest to shady areas of your landscape.
It is a shade-tolerant groundcover that thrives in zones 4 to 8. It’s a great choice for brightening up those overlooked corners of your yard. While not showy, its variegated foliage with splashes of white or silver adds year-round interest.
Deer tend to avoid spotted deadnettle, so you can enjoy its unique foliage and blooms in shady areas without worry. Be aware that spotted deadnettle can spread rapidly, so consider planting it in a contained area or using edging to manage its growth.
We’ve got some deadnettle growing here around some of the tree sculptures. It’s quite pretty but can easily get out of control. I love the foliage on it but am not a huge fan of the growing habit.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) is a low-growing evergreen perennial that brings a touch of springtime magic to zones 4 to 8. It thrives in locations receiving full sun to partial shade, offering versatility for sunny borders or underplanting roses.
Candytuft lives up to its name with clusters of white flowers that appear in spring. This evergreen perennial forms a low-growing mound and adds a touch of charm to garden edges or rock gardens. Candytuft thrives in locations receiving full sun to partial shade.
Deer tend to avoid candytuft, so you can enjoy its year-round presence and beautiful blooms without worry. This low-maintenance groundcover is perfect for adding a soft, cascading effect to edging, rock gardens, or walls.
I’ve grown candytuft before in my former garden, but don’t have any here right now. I’m considering tucking them in among my rose bushes in the front yard gardens this year.
Conclusion
Easy blooming groundcovers offer a wealth of benefits for your landscape. They suppress weeds, prevent erosion, and add beauty and interest throughout the season. And with a wide variety of options available, you’re sure to find several groundcovers that perfectly suit your landscaping needs and preferences.
More About Blooming Groundcovers
Do you like incorporating groundcovers in your garden beds? What is your favorite blooming groundcover? I would love to know more in the comments below.
To drill down on more beginner gardening techniques and tips, please read these posts:
Happy Gardening!
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Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
