If you’re tired of looking at bare patches in your garden, flowering ground covers can be the perfect solution. Not only do they help fill those empty spots with vibrant colors, but many also produce delicious fruit you can enjoy throughout the season. These low-maintenance plants offer the best of both worlds—beauty and function—and can be a simple way to enhance your garden.
From spreading vines to compact blooms, there are plenty of options that bring both visual interest and tasty treats. These 18 flowering ground covers are perfect for adding texture, filling in gaps, and even giving you a snack right from your yard. If you’re looking to make your garden more sustainable or just want to enjoy the fruits of your labor, these plants are a great way to get started.
Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa)
Strawberries are a popular choice for those seeking both beauty and bounty in their gardens. These ground covers produce stunning white flowers that give way to juicy red berries, ideal for fresh eating or making desserts.
Plant them in a sunny spot for the best fruit production, and watch as they spread to cover the ground. Strawberries are easy to grow and maintain, providing delicious rewards year after year.
Ensure they’re planted in well-drained soil and enjoy their delightful charm and fruitfulness as they flourish through the seasons.
Creeping Raspberry (Rubus calycinoides)
Creeping raspberry offers an ornamental twist with its attractive foliage and tasty fruit. This ground cover is perfect for rocky or uneven terrains, where it can sprawl gracefully.
Its small, white flowers transform into red raspberries that are both decorative and edible. Ideal for filling challenging garden spots, creeping raspberry thrives in well-drained soil.
The fruit is not only delicious but also easy to harvest. It makes an excellent choice for those looking to add a unique and functional element to their garden landscape.
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
Lingonberries are a delightful addition to any garden, providing evergreen coverage and brilliant red berries. These ground covers are perfect for woodland areas, thriving in acidic soils.
The berries are tart and often used in jams and juices. Lingonberries flower in spring with pretty pinkish-white blooms.
They are low-growing and spread steadily, making them excellent for erosion control. Adding lingonberries to your garden not only enhances its visual appeal but also offers a flavorful harvest.
This plant is a wonderful choice for those wanting to combine beauty with utility.
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Wintergreen is known for its glossy leaves and vibrant red berries, making it a standout ground cover. This plant thrives in shaded areas, providing year-round greenery and seasonal fruit.
The berries have a unique flavor, often used in teas and candies. Wintergreen is a low-maintenance option, ideal for woodland gardens.
Its small, bell-shaped flowers precede the berry production, adding an extra layer of interest. As a ground cover, wintergreen is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, offering both visual and culinary benefits.
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
Cranberries are a versatile ground cover, particularly suited for boggy areas. Their small pink flowers bloom in spring, followed by the well-known red berries.
These berries are famous for their tartness and are often used in sauces and baked goods. Cranberries provide lush coverage and are excellent for preventing erosion.
They require acidic, sandy soil and plenty of moisture to thrive. With their vibrant appearance and fruitful yield, cranberries can transform a garden space into a productive and picturesque landscape.
A perfect choice for the adventurous gardener.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Bearberry is a hardy ground cover, ideal for dry, sandy soils. It features small, pink flowers in spring that develop into bright red berries.
These berries are edible and often attract wildlife. Bearberry’s evergreen foliage provides a year-round appeal, making it a reliable choice for challenging garden spots.
Its low-growing habit helps control erosion and stabilizes the soil. Bearberry offers both aesthetic and ecological benefits, serving as a visually pleasing addition to gardens.
It’s perfect for those seeking a resilient plant that adds beauty and function to their landscape.
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Wild strawberries are a charming ground cover, offering tiny white flowers and small, sweet berries. They thrive in a variety of conditions, from sunny to partially shaded areas.
Wild strawberries are perfect for naturalizing gardens, providing both beauty and delicious fruit. These ground covers are easy to care for and spread quickly, creating a lush carpet of greenery.
Their berries, though smaller than cultivated varieties, pack a punch in flavor and aroma. Wild strawberries add a touch of whimsy and flavor to any garden, making them a delightful choice for gardeners.
American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum)
American cranberrybush is a versatile ground cover, known for its large clusters of white flowers and vibrant red berries. This plant thrives in moist soils, making it suitable for low-lying areas.
The berries, tart and juicy, are often used in preserves and attract various bird species. In addition to its fruit, the American cranberrybush provides structural interest with its dense foliage and spreading habit.
It’s an excellent option for gardeners seeking to add both form and function to their landscape, offering seasonal beauty and bountiful harvests.
Salal (Gaultheria shallon)
Salal is a robust ground cover, native to the Pacific Northwest. It features thick, leathery leaves and dark blue berries that are both edible and decorative.
Salal thrives in shaded areas with acidic soil, making it ideal for forest understories. The berries are slightly sweet and can be used in jams and pies.
Salal’s evergreen nature provides year-round interest, while its spreading habit helps control erosion. This plant is perfect for those looking to add a native, low-maintenance option to their garden that offers both visual appeal and practical benefits.
Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)
Huckleberries are a delightful ground cover, offering glossy green leaves and sweet black berries. These plants thrive in coastal woodland environments, preferring acidic soils.
Huckleberries produce small, bell-shaped flowers that precede the fruit. The berries are a favorite for wildlife and humans alike, often enjoyed fresh or in baked goods.
Huckleberries provide excellent ground coverage, preventing erosion and adding lush greenery to the landscape. They are an appealing choice for gardeners seeking to incorporate native plants that contribute both beauty and bounty to their garden space.
Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
Oregon grape is a striking ground cover with spiky, holly-like leaves and clusters of yellow flowers. These blooms transform into deep blue berries that are both ornamental and edible.
Oregon grape thrives in a range of soils and light conditions, making it versatile for different garden settings. The berries have a tart flavor, often used in jellies and wines.
As an evergreen plant, Oregon grape offers year-round interest and structure. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a resilient and attractive ground cover that also provides culinary benefits.
Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Thyme is a fragrant ground cover, known for its tiny purple flowers and aromatic leaves. This herb thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, perfect for an herb garden or rock garden.
Thyme offers culinary value, with its leaves often used in cooking to add flavor and aroma. The plant’s low-growing habit makes it an excellent choice for filling spaces between stepping stones.
Thyme is drought-tolerant and easy to maintain, providing both beauty and utility. It’s a wonderful option for gardeners seeking a versatile plant that enhances both the garden’s appearance and its culinary potential.
Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
Cranberry cotoneaster is a ground cover known for its bright red berries and glossy foliage. This plant forms a dense mat, making it ideal for slopes and erosion control.
The berries attract birds and add seasonal interest to the garden. Cranberry cotoneaster is low-maintenance, thriving in a variety of soil conditions.
Its small white flowers in spring offer additional appeal. This ground cover is perfect for those looking to enhance their landscape with a plant that’s both functional and decorative.
Its ability to stabilize soil while providing aesthetic value makes it a valuable addition to any garden.
Prostrate Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’)
Prostrate rosemary is a fragrant and attractive ground cover, known for its aromatic leaves and blue flowers. This low-growing rosemary variety is perfect for cascading over stone walls or filling sunny garden beds.
It offers culinary benefits, as its leaves are commonly used in cooking. Prostrate rosemary thrives in well-drained soils and is drought-tolerant, making it ideal for Mediterranean-style gardens.
Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest while its flowers add seasonal beauty. This plant is an excellent choice for those seeking a versatile and practical addition to their garden.
Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca var. alpina)
Alpine strawberries are a charming addition to any garden, offering tiny white flowers and small, flavorful berries. These plants thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, perfect for alpine or rock gardens.
The berries are sweet and aromatic, often enjoyed fresh or in desserts. Alpine strawberries spread slowly, making them easy to manage and ideal for creating a lush ground cover.
They provide both beauty and a bountiful harvest, making them a delightful choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of whimsy and productivity to their landscape.
Carpet Raspberry (Rubus pentalobus)
Carpet raspberry is a low-growing ground cover, known for its delicate white flowers and clusters of red berries. This plant is perfect for covering large areas or creating a living mulch.
The berries are edible and attract wildlife, adding biodiversity to the garden. Carpet raspberry thrives in well-drained soils and can tolerate partial shade, making it versatile for different garden settings.
Its spreading habit helps control weeds and provides visual interest. This plant is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking to add both beauty and function to their garden spaces.
Japanese Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius)
Japanese wineberry is a captivating ground cover, featuring arching canes and bright orange-red berries. These berries are sweet and suitable for fresh eating or preserves.
Japanese wineberry thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil, making it a versatile addition to various garden styles. Its unique appearance adds a touch of exotic charm to any landscape.
The plant’s spreading habit and attractive foliage make it ideal for covering bare spots or creating a fruit-bearing hedge. This ground cover is a fantastic option for those looking to combine visual appeal with a productive harvest.
Fruiting Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Fruiting creeping Jenny is a vibrant ground cover, known for its golden leaves and tiny yellow flowers. This plant thrives in moist soils and partial shade, perfect for rock gardens or water features.
The small fruit clusters add an unexpected twist, making it a unique choice for gardeners. Creeping Jenny spreads quickly, forming a dense mat that helps suppress weeds.
Its bright foliage provides year-round interest, while the flowers and fruit add seasonal charm. This plant is an excellent option for those seeking a lively and functional ground cover that offers both beauty and utility.