Choosing the Perfect Ground Cover: Classifications Explained

Ground cover plants are perfect for filling in the gaps, keeping the soil warm, and helping manage weeds in your garden. Whether you’re looking for something low-maintenance or aiming to brighten up shady corners, ground covers offer a ton of variety. Some spread fast, others stay politely in place. Some love sun, others thrive in the darkest corners of your yard. Stick with me as I break down the different types and classifications of ground cover plants so you can find the perfect match for your garden without feeling overwhelmed.

Types and Classifications of Ground Cover Plants Explained

Discover our favorite easy-care ground cover plants for every garden.

What Are Ground Cover Plants

Ground cover plants are low-growing vegetation that spreads across the soil surface. These plants act like living mulch, covering bare spots in gardens and landscapes. They come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, adding beauty while serving practical purposes.

They help control erosion by holding soil in place with their roots. Ground covers can also suppress weeds by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds, which reduces the need for manual weeding or chemical weed killers.

Many ground covers thrive in shady areas where grass struggles to grow. They can fill in spaces under trees or along north-facing walls. Some types even tolerate foot traffic, making them great for pathways or stepping stones.

Growth Habit Classifications

Ground cover plants have different ways of growing and spreading. These habits affect how they look and function in gardens.

Spreading

Spreading ground covers grow outward from a central point, forming a low mat or carpet-like cover over the soil. Some spreading plants grow runners or stolons, which are stems that grow along the ground and form new roots.
Creeping thyme is a popular spreading ground cover. It forms a dense, low-growing mat of tiny leaves and flowers. Another example is creeping phlox. It spreads slowly to create colorful carpets in spring.
Spreading plants work well for large areas. They can fill in spaces between other plants or cover slopes. But they may need trimming to stay in bounds.

Mounding

Mounding ground covers grow in rounded shapes. They form small hills or clumps rather than flat mats. These plants often grow taller than spreading types.
Heuchera, also called coral bells, is a mounding ground cover. It grows in neat clumps with colorful foliage. Another example is lamb’s ear. Its soft, fuzzy leaves form rounded mounds.
Mounding plants add texture and height to garden beds. They look nice planted in groups. You can also use them as border plants or fill gaps between larger plants.

Height Classifications

Ground cover plants come in various heights to suit different garden needs. Let’s examine the main height groups and their offerings.

Low

Low-growing ground covers typically reach 3-6 inches tall. These plants are perfect for areas where you want minimal height. They work well between stepping stones, in rock gardens, or as lawn substitutes.

Some popular low ground covers include:

Creeping thyme
Irish moss
Creeping phlox

These plants spread out rather than up, creating a dense carpet effect. They’re great for suppressing weeds and preventing soil erosion. Many low ground covers can handle light foot traffic too.

Medium

Medium-height ground covers usually grow 6-12 inches tall. They provide more visual interest than their shorter cousins while still staying relatively low to the ground.

Popular medium-height options include:

Lamb’s ear
Ajuga (bugleweed)
Creeping juniper

These versatile plants can work in various garden settings. They’re tall enough to add some texture but short enough not to block views. Medium ground covers are often used in borders or to fill spaces between taller plants.

Tall

Tall ground covers can reach heights of 1-3 feet. While still considered ground covers, they offer more vertical interest in the garden.

Some examples of tall ground covers are:

Ornamental grasses
Ferns
Hostas

These plants are great for creating privacy, defining garden spaces, or adding a backdrop to shorter plants. They can also help control erosion on slopes. Tall ground covers often need more space to spread out, so they’re best used in larger areas.

Herbaceous And Woody Ground Covers

Ground covers come in two main types: herbaceous and woody. Herbaceous ground covers are soft-stemmed plants that die back to the ground each winter. They grow back from their roots in spring. Woody ground covers have hard, persistent stems that stay above ground year-round.

Herbaceous options include creeping phlox, ajuga, and sweet woodruff. These spread quickly and form dense mats of foliage. They’re great for filling in bare spots fast. Many herbaceous ground covers have pretty flowers too.

Woody choices like juniper, cotoneaster, and creeping thyme are more challenging. They stand up well to foot traffic and last for years. Woody ground covers often stay green all winter in mild climates, making them good for year-round interest.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Type	Examples	Pros	Cons
Herbaceous	Creeping phlox, ajuga	Fast-spreading, flowers	Dies back in winter
Woody	Juniper, cotoneaster	Durable, evergreen	Slower to establish

When picking a ground cover, think about your needs. Do you want quick coverage or long-term stability? Flowers or foliage? The right choice depends on your garden goals.

Remember, both types need some care to look their best. Regular weeding and occasional trimming will keep your ground covers happy and healthy.

Evergreen And Deciduous Ground Covers

Ground covers come in two main types: evergreen and deciduous. Evergreen plants keep their leaves all year round. They’re great for adding color to your garden in winter when other plants are bare.

Deciduous ground covers lose their leaves in fall. They often put on a show of pretty colors before dropping their foliage. These plants can give your garden a fresh look each spring when they grow new leaves.

Both types can help stop weeds and erosion. They also make your garden look fuller. Some even have pretty flowers or berries as a bonus!

Sunlight Classifications

Ground cover plants have different sunlight needs. Knowing these needs helps pick the right plants for your garden. Let’s look at the main sunlight groups.

Full Sun: Sun-loving ground covers love direct sunlight and need at least 6 hours of sun each day. Many flowering ground covers belong to this group.
Partial Sun/Partial Shade: These plants like a mix of sun and shade. They do well with 3-6 hours of direct sun daily. This group offers lots of choices for gardeners.
Full Shade: Some ground covers thrive in spots with little direct sun. They only need 3 hours or less of sunlight per day. These plants are great for shady areas under trees.

Keep in mind that some plants can adapt to different light levels. But they’ll usually do best in their preferred sunlight range.

Soil And Moisture Classifications

Ground cover plants have different needs when it comes to soil and water. Knowing these needs helps gardeners pick the right plants for their yards.

Soil types fall into three main groups: sandy, loamy, and clay. Sandy soil drains fast but doesn’t hold nutrients well. Loamy soil is a mix that many plants love. Clay soil holds water and nutrients but can get soggy.

Moisture needs vary too. Some plants like it dry, while others need lots of water. Here’s a quick guide:

Drought-tolerant: Needs little water
Average: Regular watering
Moisture-loving: Likes wet soil

Soil pH also matters. It can be:

Acidic (below 7)
Neutral (7)
Alkaline (above 7)

Most ground covers prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil. But some, like heather, love very acidic soil.

Purpose Or Function Classifications

Ground cover plants can be grouped based on what they do in your garden. Let’s look at some common types:

Erosion control: These plants have strong roots that hold soil in place. They’re great for slopes and banks.
Weed suppression: Dense, low-growing plants that crowd out weeds. They save you time on garden maintenance.
Lawn alternatives: Say goodbye to mowing! These plants create a lush carpet effect without the need for frequent cutting.
Shade creators: Taller ground covers that offer shelter to smaller plants or critters.
Pollinator attractors: Plants with flowers that bring bees, butterflies, and other helpful insects to your garden.
Drought-resistant: These tough cookies need little water once established. Perfect for dry areas or water-conscious gardeners.

Some ground covers can fill multiple roles. For example, a dense, flowering plant might suppress weeds and attract pollinators at the same time.

Practical Considerations For Ground Cover Plants

When picking ground cover plants, one of the most important considerations is how fast the plants spread. Fast-growing types can cover an area quickly but might need more trimming. Slower growers are easier to control but take longer to fill in.

Think about foot traffic as well. If people will walk on the area, choose tough plants that can handle being stepped on. More delicate options work fine for spots that don’t get walked on.

Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:

Feature	Best For
Sun-loving	Slopes, open areas
Shade-tolerant	Under trees, north-facing spots
Drought-resistant	Dry climates, low-water gardens
Fast-spreading	Large areas, erosion control
Slow-spreading	Small spaces, borders

Garden Design Ideas

Ground cover plants can transform your garden into a lush, green paradise. For visual interest, mix different textures and heights. Try pairing low-growing sedums with taller ornamental grasses.

Create winding pathways through your garden using ground covers as living mulch. This adds charm and reduces maintenance. Creeping thyme or woolly thyme work well between stepping stones, releasing a lovely scent when walked on.

Add splashes of color with flowering ground covers. Creeping phlox offers a carpet of pink, purple, or white blooms in spring. For shady spots, try ajuga with its blue flower spikes.

Don’t forget vertical spaces! Use climbing plants like ivy or clematis to cover walls or fences. This adds depth and makes small gardens feel bigger.

Ground covers can solve tricky garden problems too. Plant drought-tolerant varieties on slopes to prevent erosion. Try shade-loving options like sweet woodruff in areas where grass won’t grow.

Remember to group plants with similar needs together. This makes watering and care easier. A rock garden filled with succulents and sedums is both beautiful and low-maintenance.

Lastly, think about year-round interest. Mix evergreen ground covers with those that change color in fall for a garden that looks great in all seasons.

Wrapping Up

Ground cover plants are garden superheroes! They fill bare spots, control weeds, and add beauty to your yard. Whether you choose creeping thyme for a fragrant path or sedum for a rocky slope, there’s a perfect option for every spot. Remember, some spread fast while others take their time. Pick wisely based on your space and needs. Sun-lovers like creeping phlox bring bright colors, while shade-dwellers like ajuga offer cool green carpets.

Andrew Gaumond

Editorial Director | andrew@petalrepublic.com | Full Bio

Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.

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