9 Ground Cover Plants to Beautify Your UK Garden

Posted on 15/05/2025

9 Ground Cover Plants to Beautify Your UK Garden

Enhancing the beauty of your garden doesn't always mean dedicating your time solely to flowers and shrubs. Utilizing ground cover plants can be a delightful and efficient solution. These plants not only add color and texture but also reduce weeds and prevent soil erosion. Let's explore nine versatile ground cover plants that are ideal for UK gardens.

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme is a charming, maintenance-free option for UK gardeners. With its fragrant leaves and clusters of tiny flowers, it creates a lush purple carpet in your garden.

• Light: Thrives in full sun.
• Soil: Prefers dry, well-drained soil.
• Benefits: Attracts pollinators and is drought-resistant.

Care tips:

Trim after flowering to maintain a neat appearance and promote new growth.

2. Bugleweed (Ajuga Reptans)

Ajuga reptans, commonly known as bugleweed, is valued for its glossy foliage and spikes of blue flowers. It thrives in shaded areas, making it an excellent choice for challenging sites under trees.

• Light: Partial to full shade.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.
• Benefits: Controls soil erosion and offers year-round interest.

Care tips:

Divide every few years to prevent overcrowding and keep it healthy.

3. Cotoneaster horizontalis

Cotoneaster horizontalis, or the herringbone cotoneaster, is a low-growing shrub that forms a dense tapestry of glossy leaves, white spring flowers, and vibrant red berries.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: Well-drained soil but adaptable to various types.
• Benefits: Provides food for birds and a splash of color in the colder months.

Care tips:

Prune unwanted branches in early spring to encourage a tidy form.

4. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

The striking foliage of Heuchera, also known as coral bells, adds texture and color to any garden. Available in shades ranging from deep burgundy to lime green, it brightens up shaded spots.

• Light: Partial shade.
• Soil: Rich, humus-rich, well-drained soil.
• Benefits: Evergreen leaves mean constant appeal and it attracts pollinators.

Care tips:

Apply mulch to retain soil moisture and clip spent flowers to boost leaf growth.

5. Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle)

Lady's mantle captivates with its soft, hairy foliage and delicate yellow-green flowers. This perennial ground cover plant suits UK gardens perfectly.

• Light: Sun or partial shade.
• Soil: Quite tolerant; prefers moist, well-drained soil.
• Benefits: Forms delightful borders and self-seeds easily.

Care tips:

Cut back after flowering for rejuvenation and self-seeding control.

6. Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)

An excellent ground cover choice, lesser periwinkle or Vinca minor, is a hardy, evergreen plant that produces blue and purple flowers. It is especially beneficial in shaded or tricky areas.

• Light: Partial to full shade.
• Soil: Prefers moist but well-drained soil.
• Benefits: Inhibits weed growth and covers large areas quickly.

Care tips:

Prune regularly to control its spreading habit.

7. Sedum album (White Stonecrop)

Ideal for rock gardens and dry areas, white stonecrop is a drought-resistant ground cover. With its white star-shaped flowers and succulent leaves, it provides a juicy treat for the eyes.

• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy soils.
• Benefits: Low maintenance and attracts beneficial insects.

Care tips:

Ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot, especially in the winter.

8. Geranium macrorrhizum (Bigroot Geranium)

Renowned for its deeply lobed leaves and aromatic qualities, bigroot geranium offers lovely pink or purple blossoms.

• Light: Partial shade to full sun.
• Soil: Well-drained soil.
• Benefits: Resistant to pests and provides excellent ground coverage.

Care tips:

Shear back after the first bloom to encourage a second flowering.

9. Polystichum setiferum (Soft Shield Fern)

For shadier garden spots, the soft shield fern offers elegant, evergreen fronds. It's perfect for adding texture to a damp, secluded garden corner.

• Light: Partial to full shade.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained, and moist soil.
• Benefits: Provides outstanding winter interest and is generally pest-free.

Care tips:

Remove old fronds in spring to allow new growth space to emerge.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ground cover plants can transform your UK garden into a tapestry of color and texture while minimizing maintenance. Whether you have sunny spots or areas of perennial shade, there is a ground cover solution to suit your needs. Experiment with these nine varieties to create a lovely, low-maintenance garden space.