They are the magicians in the plant kingdom. Ground cover banishes boring gaps, annoying weeds and dreary beds from the garden and replaces them with the floral splendor of dense carpets. It is the undemanding upholstery perennials that give an ornamental garden an easy-care touch and inspire new design ideas. Explore here what Mother Nature has to offer in terms of easy-care, hardy ground cover plants for perennial crops. A selection of the best upholstery perennials for the creative hobby garden awaits you.
Reliable classics
This category contains the most popular ground cover plants that have proven themselves excellently for decades:
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Once the decorative climbing plant has gained a foothold, it won't let the hobby gardener down. Ivy also reliably provides greenery in areas where other plants cannot exist. The only drawback is the poison content in all parts of the plant.
- Spread from 300 to 1000 cm
- For sunny, partially shaded and shady locations
Cotoneaster dammeri radicans)
The perennial ground cover impresses with a number of advantageous attributes, such as dense growth, delicate flowers and pretty fruit decorations in autumn. Extremely tolerant of the conditions at its location, the cotoneaster conscientiously plants any area assigned to it.
- Growth height 10 to 15 cm
- Annual growth up to 15 cm
Carpet Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
It is one of the most beautiful ground cover plants because it always has new surprises in store throughout the year. Dogwood presents white flowers from June onwards, followed by autumnal fruit decorations and a reddish autumn color of the foliage.
- Growth height 10 to 20 cm
- Prefers slightly acidic soil and partial shade
Ground cover cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Mount Vernon')
The talents of the cherry laurel are by no means limited to their role as popular hedge plants. This dwarf variety turns any surface into an eye-catcher with its lush green, shiny foliage. If such an elegant ground cover lined the access path to the house, every guest feels welcome.
- Growth height 15 to 30 cm
- For sunny to partially shaded locations
Flowering cushion perennials
You don't expect any time-consuming or complicated maintenance work. Instead, these flowering cushion perennials create a paradisiacal appearance both in the sun-drenched rock garden, as well as under mighty trees, on the skinny dry stone wall or along a stream.
Blue cushion (Aubrieta)
From April to May, enchanting blue cushions with countless blue, white or purple flowers adorn the rock garden, flower bed or dry stone wall. Extremely easy to care for, thanks to their robust drought tolerance, the flowers develop particularly well in nutrient-rich, calcareous locations.
- Growth heights from 5 to 10 cm
- Sunny to semi-shady location
Scarlet field thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Wherever it is sunny and dry, field thyme unfolds its beauty as a ground cover. In June and July it impresses with its wonderful flowers and an intoxicating scent. As an evergreen plant, the bed retains its green coat even during the winter.
- Ideal for rock and roof gardens
- Growth height 5 to 10 cm
Carpet phlox (Phlox douglasii)
Purple star blossoms as far as the eye can see; This is how this undemanding ground cover presents itself from May to June. In winter, the needle-like leaves remain on the plant so that there is no dreariness.
- Growth height 5 to 10 cm
- Thrives in any normal garden soil
Dalmatian Cushion Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana)
Their gorgeous flowers take the viewer's breath away. From June to August, this ground cover spreads its purple carpet of flowers. The perennial can achieve this masterpiece in almost any location, as long as there is only a little sunshine there.
- Growth height 8 to 15 cm
- Deciduous and hardy
Sedum 'Dazzleberry' (Sedum 'Dazzleberry')
When the summer blossoms in the garden slowly fade, the hour has come for this flowering ground cover from the large Sedum family. From August to October, the fat leaf creates a true riot of color on small and large areas with dark red flowers over silvery leaves.
- Growth height 5 to 10 cm
- For sunny to partially shaded locations
Evergreen ground cover
Once the following evergreen ground covers have become established, there are no longer any weeds to be seen. This allows the troubled hobby gardener to take a deep breath; Thanks to these winter-hardy all-purpose talents, he can concentrate on gardening activities that really bring joy.
Ysander (Pachysandra terminalis)
Its middle name 'Shadow Green' already indicates where this hardy ground cover would like to spread. Its fresh green foliage adorns delicate areas under the canopy of tall trees and consistently keeps away weeds.
- Growth heights from 10 to 25 cm
- Shady, humus-rich locations
Small-leaved periwinkle (Vinca minor)
As an evergreen subshrub, this ground cover decoratively presents itself with enchanting flowers from May to September. As long as the location is not too dark or acidic, small-leaved periwinkle fulfills the tasks set for it and is undemanding.
- Planting requirements per square meter 10-12 specimens
- Growth height 10 to 30 cm
Carpet golden strawberry (Waldsteinia ternata)
Their short runners create an extra compact habit that is characteristic of this easy-care ground cover. From April to May, a bright yellow flower shines above the deep green foliage, which bravely holds its ground throughout the winter.
- Growth height 5 to 10 cm
- Partially shaded to shady locations
Foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia)
If you are looking for a ground cover under rhododendrons, you will find the ideal candidate here. Although the foam blossom forms a compact carpet, it does not harass the weak-competitive rhododendron. In addition, the plant scores with beautiful flower decorations in spring.
- Growth height 10 to 20 cm
- Considered a robust leaf eater
Hazelroot (Asarum europaeum)
With its kidney-shaped, wintergreen and shiny leaves, it brings peace to the bed. Its growth rate is limited, which the hazelroot compensates for with its robust longevity and minimal care requirements.
- Growth height 5 to 20 cm
- Brown-red flowers in March and April
Noble ground cover roses
Here, royal floral splendor and practical use go hand in hand. Ground-covering roses score points with their low growth, robust winter hardiness and undemanding care.
Ground cover rose 'Diamant' (Pink 'Diamant')
Awarded the gold medal in 2006, this rose variety has won the hearts of gardeners as a ground cover. Since it is also classified as a Rigo rose, it is not only easy to care for, but also extremely resistant. The pure white flowers extend from June to September.
- Growth height 30 to 60 cm
- Deciduous and hardy
Ground cover rose 'Knirps' (Rosa 'Knirps')
With pink-red flower carpets, this rose variety delights the gardener from June to September in sunny locations or as an underplant in large containers. Their ADR rating guarantees stable leaf he alth, which is essential for the care of roses.
- Growth height 20 to 30 cm
- Heavily double flowers
Ground cover rose 'Snow Queen' (Rosa 'Snow Queen')
Wherever large areas need to be transformed into a flower paradise, the majestic 'Snow Queen' is there. With its pure white flowers on elegantly curved shoots, it has excellent ground cover qualities.
- Growth height up to 70 cm
- Frequently blooming from June to August
Ground cover rose 'Alpenglühen' (Pink 'Alpenglow')
A glowing beauty moves into your garden with this ground cover rose. The deep red flowers cannot be missed by even the unwary eye and offer a decorative contrast over the fresh green foliage. Since 'Alpenglühen' is one of the he althiest rose varieties, caring for it requires little time.
- Growth height 50 to 60 cm
- Resistant to star sooty mildew and powdery mildew
Conclusion
Don't bother with dreary bed areas, barren embankments and penetrating weeds any longer. With easy-care, perennial ground cover, such gardening problems disappear into thin air. Arrangements covering areas are available for every conceivable location condition in a private ornamental garden and can be wonderfully combined. This hand-picked selection of the best candidates features reliable classics, flowering and evergreen upholstery perennials as well as the royal splendor of noble ground cover roses.
