Your mossy lawn isn’t thriving—it’s surrendering. And honestly? It’s time to let it go. In the Pacific Northwest, where rain reigns and shade lingers, traditional grass struggles. Moss creeps in. Mud takes over. And no matter how much you rake, reseed, or plead—it just doesn’t work. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a lawn to have a lush, beautiful yard. There’s a whole world of ground covers that laugh in the face of soggy soil and dim light. They spread, they stay green, and they don’t care about your lawn mower. Ready to kick moss to the curb? Here are 14 ground covers that can handle the Pacific Northwest—and look better doing it.
Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Kinnikinnick, with its glossy evergreen leaves and bursts of red berries, transforms your garden into a vibrant paradise. This native ground cover thrives in the Pacific Northwest, offering a low-maintenance alternative to mossy lawns.
Perfect for sunny areas, it creates a dense, lush carpet that withstands foot traffic and harsh winters. Its creeping branches weave through the garden, providing year-round interest and wildlife habitat.
Additionally, Kinnikinnick is drought-tolerant once established, making it an eco-friendly choice. What’s not to love about this charming ground cover that brings color and life to your yard?
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Imagine a cascade of golden coins draping over your garden walls. That’s the charm of Creeping Jenny. With bright yellow-green leaves, it adds a splash of sunshine to shady spots.
This vigorous ground cover excels in moist conditions, making it ideal for the Pacific Northwest. Its trailing stems spread rapidly, filling gaps and softening edges with their lush foliage.
Creeping Jenny also offers seasonal interest, as its leaves turn a striking bronze in the fall. A delightful addition that brightens any garden corner with its cheerful demeanor.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
With its delicate whorls of leaves and tiny white flowers, Sweet Woodruff brings a woodland charm to your garden. It thrives in the dappled shade typical of the Pacific Northwest, forming a soft, fragrant carpet.
This ground cover is perfect for those looking for low-maintenance options, as it suppresses weeds and requires minimal care. In spring, its blooms add a touch of elegance and fragrance.
Sweet Woodruff is also known for its use in traditional herbal remedies, adding a historical touch to its garden appeal. A true garden classic!
Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
Irish Moss offers a lush, velvety appeal, perfect for replacing lawn areas. Its compact, bright green tufts form a dense mat, ideal for filling small spaces.
This adaptable ground cover thrives in the Pacific Northwest, preferring cool, moist environments. Tiny white flowers dot its surface in spring, adding delicate beauty.
Irish Moss is also resilient to foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways. With its soft texture and charming appearance, it’s a versatile choice that combines practicality with visual delight.
Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
Tiny yet mighty, Corsican Mint covers the ground with a minty-fresh carpet. Its small leaves release a refreshing scent when stepped on, making it a sensory treat.
Thriving in the Pacific Northwest’s moist climate, it’s an excellent choice for planting between stepping stones or in areas with light foot traffic.
In summer, it surprises with dainty purple flowers. Corsican Mint offers a fragrant and functional solution for garden spaces, blending seamlessly into any landscape.
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
Bunchberry, with its striking white flowers and vibrant red berries, offers a forest-floor aesthetic. This native ground cover thrives in the Pacific Northwest’s shady areas, creating a lush, woodland feel.
Its glossy leaves form a dense mat, providing excellent weed suppression. In the fall, the foliage turns a rich red, adding seasonal interest.
Bunchberry is perfect for naturalizing under trees or in shaded borders, bringing a touch of the wild to your garden. Its seasonal transformations captivate and enchant.
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Bugleweed, known for its vibrant spikes of blue flowers, brings a burst of color to any garden. Its dark green leaves create a striking contrast against the blooms.
Ideal for the Pacific Northwest, it thrives in moist, shady conditions and forms a dense mat that chokes out weeds.
Bugleweed’s low-growing nature makes it perfect for edging paths or filling in between shrubs. Its rapid spread and seasonal beauty make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking color and ground coverage.
Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
Periwinkle, with its glossy leaves and pale blue flowers, offers a serene ground cover solution. It’s a classic choice for the Pacific Northwest, thriving in both sun and shade.
This hardy plant forms a thick carpet, perfect for covering slopes or filling large areas. Its trailing stems root easily, ensuring quick establishment.
Periwinkle’s long blooming season adds continuous color, while its evergreen nature provides year-round interest. A timeless favorite for gardeners seeking beauty and reliability.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping Thyme spreads a fragrant tapestry of purple flowers and aromatic leaves. This versatile ground cover thrives in sunny spots, preferring well-drained soil.
In the Pacific Northwest, it’s a perfect choice for rock gardens or edging pathways, offering both beauty and scent. Its low-growing habit and colorful blooms attract pollinators, adding ecological value.
Creeping Thyme’s drought resistance makes it a sustainable option, ideal for those looking to reduce water use. A delightful addition that melds aesthetics with functionality.
Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Snow-in-Summer paints your garden with its silver leaves and dazzling white flowers. It’s a striking choice for sunny areas, offering visual contrast and brightening dull spaces.
This ground cover thrives in the Pacific Northwest, preferring well-drained soil and open locations. Its vigorous growth quickly covers large areas, making it ideal for slopes or rocky gardens.
Snow-in-Summer’s reflective foliage and abundant blooms captivate, transforming your garden into a summer wonderland.
Mazus (Mazus reptans)
Mazus is a charming choice for adding color and texture to garden paths. Its tiny blue flowers and lush green foliage create a carpet-like effect.
Thriving in the Pacific Northwest, Mazus prefers moist soil and dappled shade. It’s perfect for filling gaps between stepping stones or softening edges.
This ground cover is both resilient and attractive, offering a practical solution for tricky spots. Its cheerful blooms and rapid spread make it a delightful addition to any garden space.
Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)
Wild Ginger offers an exotic touch with its heart-shaped leaves and subtle flowers. This native ground cover thrives in the shaded, moist environments typical of the Pacific Northwest.
Its lush foliage forms a dense mat, providing excellent coverage and weed suppression. In spring, its curious flowers add intrigue to the garden landscape.
Wild Ginger is perfect for naturalizing under trees or along shaded paths, offering a touch of elegance and mystery. Its unique appearance and adaptability make it a standout choice.
Liriope (Liriope spicata)
Liriope, with its grassy leaves and vibrant purple flower spikes, adds texture and color to garden borders. This hardy ground cover thrives in the Pacific Northwest’s diverse conditions, from sun to shade.
Its dense clumps provide excellent coverage, ideal for edging walkways or filling large areas. In late summer, its flowers emerge, attracting bees and butterflies.
Liriope’s evergreen nature ensures year-round interest, making it a versatile choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance beauty.
Dragon’s Blood Sedum
Imagine a carpet of leaves that shifts like a sunset from green to deep crimson! Dragon’s Blood Sedum is as exotic as its name suggests. With a resilience fit for the Pacific Northwest’s damp climate, this succulent spreads its vibrant foliage effortlessly.
Its fiery hues are especially captivating in the fall, making it an eye-catching addition to any garden. It thrives in full sun, requiring minimal care while offering maximum impact.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this ground cover invites creativity and bold texture. Why not let your garden blaze with color?