These robust, low-maintenance groundcovers are ideal for tough spots such as shade, slopes, and poor soil.
These dependable, hardworking plants grow densely to carpet the ground with minimal fuss.
Some are evergreen, others lose their foliage in winter, and a few tolerate light foot traffic.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Thyme
If it’s hot and dry conditions you’re struggling with, it’s time forthyme.
This aromatic groundcover excels in beds, borders, and containers.
Sedum
You may already grow tallsedums.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
But did you know many wonderful creeping types form thick mats only 3 inches tall?
Sedums are prized for use in green roofs and living walls because they’re so adaptable.
Add sedum torock gardensand other spots with poor but fast-draining soil, which they tolerate well.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
It thrives in hot, sunny, dry spots and needs almost no maintenance.
Hens-and-chicks is xeriscape-friendly, so it’s used frequently in low-water gardens instead of traditional turf.
This sweet-scented groundcover for shade needs moist soil to put on the best show.
Credit: Bill Stites
It produces small clusters of purple flowers in spring, attracting pollinators.
This groundcover for shade stays under a foot tall but slowly spreads outward.
Use it to highlight other plants with darker foliage, such asboxwoodand conifers.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Place lamium where you won’t be smashing it underfoot, though, because its stems are somewhat fragile.
InHardiness Zones 9-10, the leaves are evergreen, remaining through the winter.
This plant will die back to the roots in colder regions and appear again in spring.
Credit: Rich Pomerantz
Its name alludes to its small, buttonlike yellow-green flowers in summer.
Lamb’s Ear
Their fuzzy, touchable leaves give lamb’s ear their common name.
Lamb’s ear is perfect insensory garden settingssince it’s soft to the touch.
Credit:Evgeniya Vlasova
Once established, it will tolerate drought well.
Growing Conditions:Full to part shade in well-drained soil
Size:12 inches tall
https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=17135
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Robert Cardillo
Credit:Denny Schrock
