Fast-Growing Ground Covers: Transform Your Yard in a Snap!
Rapidly Proliferating Ground Covers: 10 Species to Instantly Revamp Bland Patches in Your Garden
Get ready to rock your landscaping game, because we've got a list of killer ground covers that'll soon become the envy of your entire neighborhood. Not only will these bad boys fill in those pesky bare spots and guard your soil against erosion, but they'll also attract a swarm of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds. Plus, most of these ground covers are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and thrive in a variety of conditions. So, let's dive in and check out these fantastic ground covers that are perfect for transforming your yard.
Blue Star Creeper
First up, the Blue Star Creeper, a top pick for adding a pop of color to your yard with its tiny blue flowers that bloom throughout the spring and summer. Gerardo Loayza, Founder & CEO of BACQYARD, swears by this ground cover as it quickly grows, forms a dense mat, and suppresses weeds. It's also incredibly versatile, thriving in a range of soil types and light conditions.
- Super Powers: Grows well in shade, quick spreader, tolerant of various soil types and light conditions.
- Botanical Name: Isotoma fluviatilis
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
- Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.8)
Creeping Phlox
Next, we've got Creeping Phlox, a native plant to the United States that grows as if you've magicly laid down a mat. This fast-spreader forms a dense mat of fragrant pink, purple, or white flowers in the spring, effectively covering the ground and suppressing weeds.
- Super Powers: Native plant, fast spreader, forms a dense mat, fragrant flowers, suppresses weeds.
- Botanical Name: Phlox subulata
- Sun Exposure: Full sun or partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-draining
- Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
Creeping Thyme
If you're in search of a ground cover to replace a lawn, look no further than Creeping Thyme! This hardy ground cover can handle some foot traffic, is drought-tolerant, and attracts pollinators. Plus, it's not a favorite snack for those pesky rabbits and deer who frequent your yard.
- Super Powers: Low maintenance, drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators, not a favorite of rabbits and deer.
- Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Type: Well-draining
- Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.5-7.5)
Crested Iris
Want a ground cover that's perfect for woodland areas, shade, or rock gardens? Look no further than the Crested Iris, a favorite among horticulture experts! This low-maintenance plant thrives in dry shade and produces charming small blooms.
- Super Powers: Low maintenance, thrives in dry shade, produces charming small blooms, suitable for woodland areas, shade, or rock gardens.
- Botanical Name: Iris cristata
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
- Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.1 to 6.5)
Eastern Bee Balm
Say hello to Eastern Bee Balm, a native plant that entices bees, butterflies, and moths to your garden. Although its flowering period isn't long, typically around three to four weeks, this ground cover can tolerate both moist and dry soils.
- Super Powers: Attracts bees, butterflies, and moths, tolerates moist and dry soils, produces light pink blooms that pollinators love.
- Botanical Name: Monarda bradburiana
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, rocky soil
- Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0 to 6.7)
Frogfruit
Frogfruit is a fast-growing ground cover that thrives in hot temperatures and is perfect for areas in the Southern United States. It produces small, white to lavender flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees and is also drought-tolerant.
- Super Powers: Thrives in hot temperatures, fast-growing, drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators, white to lavender flowers.
- Botanical Name: Phyla nodiflora
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, rocky soil
- Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0 to 6.7)
And there you have it, folks! These ground covers will help you create a beautiful, pollinator-friendly yard in no time. Get out there and start transforming your space today!
Discover these outdoor plants perfect for your home-and-garden lifestyle desired by Southern Living, championed by horticulture experts. The Blue Star Creeper, a versatile groundcover thriving in various soil types and light conditions, is a must for adding a pop of color to your yard. For instance, Gerardo Loayza, Founder & CEO of BACQYARD, recommends it for its quick spreading and weed suppression.
If you're looking for a native groundcover, opt for Creeping Phlox, which forms a fragrant pink, purple, or white mat that effectively covers the ground, suppressing weeds. For those aiming to replace a lawn with a low-maintenance ground cover, Creeping Thyme is ideal, offering drought-tolerance, foot traffic resistance, and appealing characteristics to pollinators.
Lastly, when creating woodland areas, shaded rock gardens, or seeking a low-maintenance plant, Crested Iris fits the bill, thriving in dry shade and producing charming small blooms. Diversify your garden with these fantastic gardening ideas, and embrace an inviting, pollinator-friendly outdoor space!
