Ground covers
Looking for a way to make your garden greener, fuller and more low-maintenance? Ground covers are the solution! These low-growing plants form a dense carpet over the ground, not only giving your garden a beautiful, natural look, but also offering many benefits. Looking for a way to make your garden greener, fuller and more low-...
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Ground covers
Looking for an easy way to make your garden greener, fuller and less work to look after? Discover the power of ground covers: versatile outdoor plants that don't just make your garden prettier, but protect it too.
These low-growing plants form a dense carpet across the soil, so weeds get far less of a chance and the ground holds on to moisture for longer. That means less work and more enjoyment!
Choose flowering varieties for colour and atmosphere, or go for evergreen types that keep everything looking well cared for all year round.
Which ground covers are hardy?
Many ground covers are hardy and cope well with frost. Think of Vinca minor (periwinkle), Pachysandra Terminalis and Waldsteinia. These varieties still look good in the colder months and are ideal for a low-maintenance garden.
Which ground cover flowers all summer?
If you are after a long flowering season, ground covers such as Geranium 'Rozanne' and catmint (Nepeta) are well worth a look. These varieties flower for months and bring colour and atmosphere from spring right through to late summer.
The benefits of ground covers
Ground covers are not only good-looking, they are remarkably useful in the garden. They offer no end of benefits, from keeping weeds down to improving the structure of your soil. Discover how these green powerhouses help you towards a low-maintenance garden with real ecological value.
Keeps weeds down
Because ground covers cover the soil completely, weeds barely get a chance to grow. That saves you a great deal of time and effort in the garden!
Moisture retention and better soil
The leaves of ground covers shield the soil from drying out and help it hold on to moisture for longer. That makes for a healthy soil structure and stops rainwater evaporating too quickly.
Erosion control
On slopes, or anywhere the soil washes away quickly, ground covers help keep the earth where it belongs. That prevents bare patches and crumbling soil.
Less maintenance
Unlike individual plants that need a lot of looking after, ground covers are generally low-maintenance. Once they are well rooted, they ask for very little attention.
Biodiversity and ecological value
Many ground covers attract useful insects such as bees and butterflies, and give small animals somewhere to shelter. That way you help create a healthy garden that is full of life!
Popular ground covers for your garden
Green Bubble offers a wide range of ground covers for every garden. From sun to shade, from dry to damp. A popular choice is lavender, a wonderfully fragrant plant with small purple flowers that draws in bees and butterflies and thrives in sunny, dry soil. Verbena Bonariensis is another favourite: an airy, elegant plant that adds height without overwhelming the rest of your garden. Ideal for a playful, wilder look.
For shadier spots, Vinca minor, a tough evergreen ground cover with purple flowers, and Pachysandra Terminalis, which does well under trees and bushes, are excellent choices.
How do you plant and care for ground covers?
Ground covers are generally easy to look after, but a good start and the right care matter if you want to get the most out of them. With the right approach they soon grow into a beautiful, closed carpet that lasts for years. Most ground covers need very little care once they are well rooted, but in those first few weeks it pays to pay attention to water, feeding and position.
The right spot, spacing and preparation
It all starts with the right spot. Look carefully at how the sun falls in your garden: some ground covers, such as lavender, love full sun, while types like Pachysandra do far better in shade. For beautiful, full cover it helps to plant in groups and give them enough room. On average you plant 5 to 10 plants per square metre, depending on the type. Prepare the soil properly by loosening it, removing weeds and adding compost if needed. That gives your ground covers a nourishing start.
Water and feeding
Water ground covers regularly in the first few weeks after planting. That means 2 to 3 times a week, depending on the weather. In dry spells you may need to water a little more often. Once the plants are well rooted, most types need very little extra water or feeding. You can give them some organic fertiliser once a year to encourage growth and flowering.
Pruning and keeping them tidy
Ground covers need little maintenance, but it pays to prune them now and then. It helps keep the plants compact, healthy and flowering. Cut flowering types back lightly after they have flowered to encourage new growth. Evergreen types can be freshened up in early spring or after the winter by trimming away dead or straggly parts. A full cut-back is usually unnecessary: a light prune in which you take off a few leaves or stems is often all it takes to make the plant look fresh again.
Order your ground cover at Green Bubble
Ready to turn your garden into a green paradise? At Green Bubble you'll find a wide range of ground covers for every garden, whether you're after flowering varieties, evergreen types or plants for sun or shade. Order easily online and have your favourite plants delivered to your door, fresh from the grower.
Still have questions about which ground cover suits your situation best? Do get in touch, we're always happy to help!
