Hi friends, today we’re talking about one of the most underrated ways to elevate your garden: the best ground cover plants.
In cottage-style gardening, we often focus on the big bloomers—roses, hollyhocks, peonies. But what gives a garden its lush, romantic, and natural flow is what’s happening underfoot. Ground cover plants create a soft base that connects beds, borders, and stepping stones, adding richness without overwhelming the space.
Not only do they help suppress weeds and reduce bare ground, but they’re also key to that low-maintenance, lived-in look that makes a garden feel like it belongs. In this post, I’ll walk you through the best ground cover for sun, part shade, dry shade, and more—especially those I’ve grown or seen thrive in cottage garden settings here in zone 5.
Why Ground Cover Plants Matter in a Cottage Garden
A well-layered cottage garden doesn’t rely only on tall perennials and shrubs. Ground covers are essential for:
- Suppressing weeds naturally
- Filling in bare ground and low growing spaces
- Acting as living mulch to retain moisture
- Providing seasonal texture and color with evergreen leaves or tiny white flowers
- Softening stepping stones and garden paths
- Giving your garden that lush, full look with minimal effort
They’re also great for poor soil or sloped areas that are hard to maintain, and many tolerate foot traffic—making them practical and beautiful at the same time.
How to Choose the Right Ground Cover for Your Site
When selecting ground cover plants, take note of:
- Sunlight: Full sun, part shade, or dry shade
- Soil type: Clay, loam, acidic soil, or poor soil
- Foot traffic: Do you need something that can tolerate stepping stones or walking paths?
- Seasonal interest: Evergreen leaves? Spring or summer blooms?
The best ground covers are those that match your garden setting and complement your existing plants.
My Go-To Ground Covers for a Natural Cottage Look
I only recommend what I’ve grown or seen grown successfully in zone 5, with an emphasis on low maintenance, layered beauty, and cottage-style texture.
Ground Covers for Full Sun
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
This one tops my list. It thrives in poor soil, full sun, and tolerates light foot traffic. It forms a fragrant carpet of green that bursts into purple flowers in early summer. Perfect between stepping stones.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
A spring favorite that spreads quickly. It provides early season color in shades of pink, purple, and white and works well in rock gardens or sunny borders.
Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)
Despite the name, this plant actually thrives in sun. Its soft, bright green foliage hugs the ground and creates a charming look in garden pathways and between stones.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
This golden-green plant cascades beautifully and adds contrast to darker foliage. It spreads easily—so I like to pair it with thyme or phlox to balance texture and color. Keep an eye on it, but it’s stunning in the right place.
Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’
Compact, with deep bronze leaves and short blue flower spikes. I’ve used this along full-sun pathways where it handles occasional foot traffic and thrives in various soil types.
Ajuga ‘Caitlyn’s Giant’
Bigger, bolder leaves with vibrant color. This variety offers year-round interest and is especially lovely when planted near stepping stones where it can soften the edge.
Ground Covers for Part Shade to Shade
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
A native plant with heart-shaped green leaves. It slowly fills in shady areas and adds a woodland feel to garden beds. Great for shady areas under shrubs or trees.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera)
This version of phlox – not to be confused with its full-sun cousin – grows best in part shade, blooming in soft pinks and purples in spring. It spreads gently and looks right at home layered beneath taller perennials.
Lamium (Lamium maculatum)
Brightens dark corners with silvery green foliage and pink or white blooms. It’s ideal for dry shade or areas with lower light where many plants won’t grow.
Ground Covers for Problem Areas
Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)
Hardy, colorful foliage and flower spikes make this a favorite for filling in under shrubs or along borders where soil isn’t great. It handles light foot traffic, too.
Lamium
As mentioned above, this one is excellent in dry shade and rocky soils. It spreads quickly but is easy to trim back if needed.
Where to Use Ground Covers
Ground covers work best when they’re integrated into the larger landscape design. I like to tuck them:
- Between stepping stones or along gravel walkways
- In front of garden borders to soften the edges
- Beneath taller shrubs or trees
- In low-growing pockets around focal plants
- Along sunny slopes or dry areas where other plants struggle
They help reduce erosion, fill in awkward corners, and make the garden feel connected and whole.
Tips for Planting and Maintaining Ground Covers
- Space plants based on how quickly they spread
- Use a light layer of mulch while they establish
- Water well the first season, then reduce as they mature
- Trim or divide as needed to control spread and fill gaps
- Look for evergreen or long-season coverage to maintain year-round structure
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ground covers tolerate foot traffic?
Creeping thyme and Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ hold up well around stepping stones and paths.
Can ground covers replace mulch?
Yes. Living mulch like creeping thyme or Jenny retains moisture, blocks weeds, and looks much better than bare ground.
What are some good native ground covers with seasonal interest?
Wild ginger and wild strawberry offer foliage and flowers while supporting local wildlife.
Final Thoughts
The best ground cover plants don’t just fill space—they complete the picture. They’re the thread that weaves through your garden, connecting borders, paths, and beds into one seamless, romantic whole.
Choose one or two that suit your site and style, and let them bring texture, softness, and grace to your garden from the ground up.
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Want to Skip the Guesswork?
Check out my Classic Cottage Garden Template on Etsy for a professionally styled layout that blends structure and softness—including ready-to-plant ground cover suggestions.
Or explore the 25 Timeless Plant Combos Guide for ideas you can use right away to style your garden through the seasons.
Leave a Reply