#Growing thyme ground cover full#

#Growing thyme ground cover full#

Its super hardy, drought-tolerant, and prefers full sun, making it a practical choice for keeping weeds at bay in a dry garden. When you plant thymes, aubretia or Mexican daisies in between paving, you are also ensuring that the seeds of unwanted volunteer plants don’t find a home. The fragrant foliage of creeping thyme has made it a popular groundcover plant. Or plant them alongside paths and paved areas to create rivers of foliage and flowers that softens any hard landscaping ideas. These fast-growing ground cover plants can be used to carpet bare soil under trees and shrubs or to fill gaps at the front of borders. The experts at Moreton Arboretum also recommend Allegheny pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens), a native species that tolerates shade well, saying ‘it forms colonies that will fill in well without being overly-aggressive and the small white flowers in spring are lightly fragrant’. Another shade-tolerant native suggested by the team is Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) that spreads readily to form a ground cover, with soft, hairy heart-shaped leaves. In colder areas, it may die back over winter, but will reappear the following spring.

It’s very adaptable, coping with sun and shade, and while optimum conditions are fertile, moist woodland type soils, it can do dry areas too and is hardy in zones 4-9. Vinca or periwinkle is a hardworking, fast-growing evergreen plant with glossy foliage and the added bonus of bright blue flowers that arrive in late spring and can continue through to fall. What’s the best fast-spreading ground-cover plant for shade? They can help to soften hard landscaping when planted around paths and patios and generally can be used to create a more natural look. When well chosen, they keep unwanted plants and seedlings at bay and, from a design point of view, they work to link different areas of the garden and fill gaps in tricky areas. They may spread via rhizomes, or root runners and are really useful for gardeners. Ground cover plants are, by definition, low growing, perfect for covering larger areas, preventing erosion and helping to get rid of weeds. What are fast-growing ground cover plants? It does cope with part shade, so could also be used at the edges of tree and shrub canopies.īlue plumbago is available at Nature Hills. A creeping, fast spreading shrubby plant that’s perfect for planting in dry, sunny areas, at the front of borders, where it will spill over the edges for a soft and informal look.Ī wonderful plant for attracting butterflies, you’ll be able to admire them flocking to the nectar-rich blooms. This could be the perfect seasonal transition plant, with blue flowers arriving at the end of the summer heat as the season changes, followed by fiery-colored foliage into fall. (Image credit: Chris Bosworth/Alamy Stock Photo)