9 Ground Cover Plants to Enhance Your UK Garden

Posted on 26/08/2025

9 Ground Cover Plants to Enhance Your UK Garden

Ground cover plants are a fantastic way to add texture, color, and lushness to gardens while effectively suppressing weeds. Whether you're designing a new garden or looking to revitalize an existing space, ground covers serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. The UK's varied climate is ideal for numerous beautiful ground cover plants. This guide presents nine superb ground cover plants that can transform your UK garden.

1. Alchemilla mollis (Lady's Mantle)

Known for its soft, velvety leaves and clusters of yellow-green flowers, Alchemilla mollis is a resilient choice for UK gardens. This plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can adapt to both sun and partial shade conditions. Lady's Mantle is a perfect choice for adding a delightful texture to your garden borders and is exceptionally easy to maintain.

• Height and spread: Up to 50 cm tall and wide.
• Seasonal interest: Blooms from late spring to early summer.
• Special care: Trim back after flowering to encourage new growth.

2. Geranium (Cranesbill)

Geranium species, commonly referred to as Cranesbills, are low-maintenance plants known for their vibrant flowers and spreading growth habit. With varieties that can handle both sun and shade, these plants are perfect for filling in larger areas with color.

• Height and spread: Ranges from 20 cm to 60 cm depending on the variety.
• Seasonal interest: Blooms throughout spring and summer.
• Special care: Regular deadheading prolongs flowering.

3. Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle)

Vinca minor is a hardy ground cover plant that features glossy green leaves and charming blue, purple, or white flowers. It's an excellent option for shaded areas under trees or along garden paths. The plant forms a dense mat that effectively suppresses weeds.

• Height and spread: Up to 15 cm tall, spreads indefinitely.
• Seasonal interest: Flowers in spring, with sporadic blooms throughout the year.
• Special care: Minimal; trim if becoming too extensive.

4. Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)

Bugleweed is appreciated for its rapid spread and beautiful spikes of blue flowers. It thrives in shady spots where many other plants struggle, making it ideal for ground cover in shaded garden areas. Its reddish-bronze foliage provides year-round interest.

• Height and spread: 10 cm to 20 cm tall, spreads widely.
• Seasonal interest: Blooms in late spring to early summer.
• Special care: Prevent excessive spread by trimming back regularly.

5. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

With their striking, colorful foliage, Heuchera are popular for adding visual interest to gardens. They prefer well-drained soil and some shade, making them perfect for borders or edges in UK gardens where you want a pop of color.

• Height and spread: Up to 30 cm tall and wide.
• Seasonal interest: Foliage year-round; blooms in late spring.
• Special care: Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.

6. Thymus serpyllum (Wild Thyme)

Not only is Wild Thyme a fragrant ground cover, but it also attracts pollinators and can be used culinarily. This plant thrives best in sunny positions, and its creeping habit makes it excellent for rocky or sandy soils commonly found in the UK.

• Height and spread: Approximately 5 cm tall, spreads up to 30 cm.
• Seasonal interest: Blooms in summer with pretty purple flowers.
• Special care: Minimal; prune lightly after flowering.

7. Sedum acre (Goldmoss Stonecrop)

Goldmoss Stonecrop is a drought-tolerant succulent that thrives in poor soil, making it an excellent choice for rocky or sandy locations. Its vibrant yellow flowers add a splash of brightness during the summer months.

• Height and spread: About 5 cm tall, spreads widely.
• Seasonal interest: Bright blooms in summer.
• Special care: Requires little maintenance; ensure good drainage.

8. Hosta

Hostas are beloved for their lush, textured foliage and are perfect for shaded areas of the garden. Their wide, colorful leaves can range from blue-green to variegated, making them a versatile choice for enhancing ground space beneath taller plants.

• Height and spread: Typically ranges from 20 cm to over 60 cm tall.
• Seasonal interest: Foliage from spring to autumn; flowers in summer.
• Special care: Protect from slug and snail damage.

9. Arabis (Rock Cress)

Known as Rock Cress, this hardy evergreen perennial is perfect for rock gardens or borders. Its white or pink flower clusters provide early spring color, and the dense foliage effectively covers ground, preventing weed growth.

• Height and spread: Approximately 15 cm tall, spreading vigorously.
• Seasonal interest: Early spring flowers.
• Special care: Shear back after flowering to maintain shape.

Integrating these ground cover plants in your UK garden can dramatically transform it into a more visually appealing and low-maintenance oasis. Whether your garden is sunny or shaded, there are ground covers to suit your needs, offering stunning foliage, bright flowers, and much-needed weed suppression.

Pair these ground cover options with your favorite trees and shrubs to create a lush, dynamic landscape. Enjoy the ease and beauty that these exceptional plants bring to your garden.