If you’re looking for a way to replace invasive English ivy in your garden, you’re not alone. English ivy can take over spaces quickly, suffocating other plants and disrupting local ecosystems. The good news is there are plenty of ground covers that provide a similar look and feel without the environmental risks. Plus, these alternatives offer a chance to bring some variety to your landscape, whether you have a sunny spot or a shaded corner that needs attention.
From low-maintenance options to those with vibrant colors or interesting textures, these ground covers can add dimension and beauty to your yard. Many of them are also better suited to supporting local wildlife, helping to create a healthier garden environment. Whether you’re replacing ivy or just adding something new, there’s no shortage of great options to consider.
Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme creates a fragrant carpet of green that bursts into tiny purple blooms. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for rock gardens or borders. This low-maintenance plant is drought-tolerant, reducing the need for regular watering. Additionally, its aromatic foliage is not only pleasant to humans but also deters pests. Planting Creeping Thyme can bring delightful scents to your garden, especially when stepped on. Its robust nature makes it an excellent choice for filling gaps between stepping stones, providing both beauty and utility.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff is a charming perennial ground cover known for its whorls of star-shaped white flowers. Thriving in shaded or partially shaded areas, it’s ideal for woodland gardens. Sweet Woodruff spreads quickly but remains manageable, offering a lush green carpet under trees. Its leaves exude a pleasant scent when crushed, adding to its allure. This plant is also deer-resistant, making it a smart choice for gardens prone to wildlife visitors. By choosing Sweet Woodruff, gardeners can enjoy both visual and aromatic benefits in areas where few other plants may thrive.
Bugleweed
Bugleweed, also known as Ajuga, is a versatile ground cover featuring vibrant blue flower spikes. It thrives in sunny to partially shaded locations, adapting well to different garden styles. The dense foliage of Bugleweed can suppress weeds effectively, reducing maintenance efforts. With its ability to tolerate various soil conditions, it is a resilient choice for challenging spots. Bugleweed’s attractive appearance and low upkeep requirements make it a favorite among gardeners. Whether used in borders or as a lawn alternative, it adds dynamic color and texture to any landscape.
Lamium
Lamium, often called Dead Nettle, offers a unique blend of beauty and resilience. Its silver-patterned leaves create an appealing contrast to the clusters of pastel pink flowers. Lamium thrives in shaded areas, making it perfect for filling those tricky spots where sun-loving plants won’t grow. It’s a low-maintenance option that requires minimal watering once established. Deer and rabbit-resistant, Lamium can maintain its beauty with fewer pest issues. It provides a soft ground cover that enhances the visual appeal of garden paths and shaded garden beds.
Mazus
Mazus is a delightful ground cover known for its small, bright flowers in shades of purple and white. It thrives in moist conditions and full sun, making it ideal for areas that receive regular watering. Mazus spreads rapidly, creating a soft, lush carpet that is both visually pleasing and functional. Its tolerance for foot traffic makes it an excellent choice for pathways and stepping stone gaps. Gardeners seeking a vibrant ground cover that can withstand occasional trampling will find Mazus an invaluable addition to their garden.
Lithodora
Lithodora is celebrated for its striking cobalt blue flowers that appear in late spring, contrasting beautifully with its evergreen foliage. This low-growing shrub thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it a perfect choice for rock gardens or sandy soils. Lithodora’s compact form and vibrant blooms draw in pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its drought tolerance reduces the need for frequent watering, making it a sustainable option for eco-conscious gardeners. Lithodora offers dynamic color and texture, enhancing the aesthetics of any garden landscape.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny, or Lysimachia nummularia, is known for its cascading golden leaves that add a splash of color to any garden. It grows well in moist soil and partial shade, making it versatile for different garden settings. Creeping Jenny can trail beautifully over walls or fill in around water features, creating a lush, vibrant look. This plant is also adaptable to container gardening, providing flexibility for urban gardens. Its ability to cover ground quickly while adding stunning color makes Creeping Jenny a superb choice for enhancing garden aesthetics.
Corsican Mint
Corsican Mint is a petite ground cover with tiny, aromatic leaves that form a dense mat. It’s perfect for shaded areas and thrives in moist soil. When crushed, its leaves exude a minty fragrance, adding a sensory element to the garden. Corsican Mint is not only beautiful but also practical, as it can withstand light foot traffic, making it suitable for planting between stepping stones. Its low-growing habit and aromatic qualities make it a unique addition to garden paths or container plantings, where it can provide both beauty and aroma.
Barrenwort
Barrenwort, or Epimedium, is a shade-loving perennial perfect for woodland gardens. It features delicate heart-shaped leaves and soft yellow blooms that add elegance to shaded areas. Barrenwort is known for its drought tolerance, making it a low-maintenance option once established. Its attractive foliage turns a beautiful red in the fall, providing year-round interest. Barrenwort’s ability to thrive in dry shade and its resistance to deer and pests make it an excellent choice for challenging garden spots, combining aesthetic appeal with resilience.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a reliable ground cover that thrives in the shaded parts of the garden. Its glossy, deep green leaves create a lush carpet, ideal for suppressing weeds. Pachysandra prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, making it versatile for various garden conditions. It requires minimal maintenance and provides year-round greenery, offering a consistent backdrop for seasonal blooms. Pachysandra is particularly useful for covering large areas under trees or in garden borders, making it an invaluable addition to any garden seeking low-maintenance coverage.
Brass Buttons
Brass Buttons, or Leptinella, is a unique ground cover known for its fern-like foliage and small, yellow-button flowers. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, preferring moist, well-drained soil. Brass Buttons is a hardy plant that can withstand light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or between stepping stones. Its compact growth habit and unusual texture add a distinctive touch to garden designs. Gardeners looking to introduce an interesting ground cover with minimal upkeep will appreciate the charm and resilience of Brass Buttons in their landscape.
Sedum
Sedum, often called Stonecrop, is a succulent ground cover that thrives in sunny, dry conditions. Its fleshy leaves store water, making it exceptionally drought-tolerant and ideal for rock gardens or xeriscaping. Sedum produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in various colors, adding seasonal interest. Its low-maintenance nature means it requires little care once established, apart from occasional weeding. Sedum’s ability to thrive in less-than-ideal soil conditions makes it a practical choice for challenging garden areas. Its unique texture and vibrant blooms attract pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity.
Blue Star Creeper
Blue Star Creeper is a charming ground cover known for its tiny star-shaped blue flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Blue Star Creeper spreads quickly, forming a dense carpet suitable for pathways or patio edges. It can tolerate light foot traffic, making it a practical and beautiful choice for filling in garden gaps. With its continuous blooms and adaptability, Blue Star Creeper offers both visual appeal and functionality, enhancing any garden space.
Liriope
Liriope, often referred to as Lilyturf, presents an elegant solution for ground coverage in shaded areas. Its lush, grass-like foliage is complemented by spikes of purple flowers that bloom in late summer. Liriope is easy to grow, requiring minimal care once established, and it tolerates a range of soil conditions. Its dense growth habit helps suppress weeds, making it a low-maintenance choice for garden borders or under trees. The plant’s year-round greenery and seasonal floral display offer dynamic visual interest across garden landscapes.
Herniaria
Herniaria, also known as Rupturewort, is a resilient ground cover with dense, tiny leaves that create a soft, green mat. It thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, making it ideal for rock gardens or dry areas. Herniaria is low-maintenance, requiring minimal watering once established. It can withstand light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways or between stepping stones. Its compact and hardy nature makes Herniaria a practical choice for gardeners seeking a durable, attractive ground cover that adds texture and color to their landscape.
Vinca Minor
Vinca Minor, or Periwinkle, is a popular ground cover known for its glossy green leaves and charming periwinkle blue flowers. It thrives in shaded to partially shaded areas and prefers well-drained soil. Vinca Minor is a fast-growing plant that can effectively suppress weeds, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, while the flowers add seasonal color. Vinca Minor’s ability to thrive in various conditions makes it a versatile choice for garden borders, under trees, or as a lush ground cover in challenging spots.
Golden Creeping Jenny
Golden Creeping Jenny, a variant of Creeping Jenny, is celebrated for its vibrant yellow-green foliage. It grows well in moist, partially shaded areas, adding a splash of brightness to garden edges or between pavers. Golden Creeping Jenny’s trailing habit is ideal for softening hard edges and creating a lush, flowing appearance. This plant’s adaptability to container gardens and its ability to thrive in wet conditions make it versatile for various garden styles. Its striking color and cascading form add visual interest, enhancing the garden’s overall aesthetic.
Dichondra
Dichondra is a versatile ground cover known for its trailing silver or green foliage that forms a dense mat. It thrives in sunny locations and adapts well to various soil types, making it ideal for garden borders or as a lawn alternative. Dichondra’s soft texture and unique color provide an interesting contrast in garden designs. Its ability to withstand foot traffic makes it suitable for pathways or patio edges. With its low-maintenance nature, Dichondra is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking an attractive, easy-care ground cover to enhance their landscape.