18 Garden-Friendly Ground Covers That Are a Better Alternative to Invasive English Ivy

If you ’re seem for a way to interchange invasive English ivy in your garden , you ’re not alone . English common ivy can take over spaces quickly , suffocate other plants and disrupting local ecosystem . The good news program is there are plenty of ground covers that provide a similar tone and feel without the environmental risks . Plus , these alternatives proffer a chance to add some variety to your landscape painting , whether you have a cheery spot or a shaded corner that need attention .

From low - sustentation options to those with vibrant colors or interesting texture , these ground covers can add attribute and beauty to your yard . Many of them are also better accommodate to supporting local wildlife , help to create a healthier garden surround . Whether you ’re substitute ivy or just adding something new , there ’s no shortfall of great options to conceive .

Creeping Thyme

crawl Thyme create a fragrant carpet of green that bursts into lilliputian purple blooms . It thrives in full sun and well - drained soil , lay down it perfect for rock gardens or borders . This low - maintenance flora is drought - tolerant , reducing the need for steady watering . Additionally , its aromatic foliage is not only pleasant to man but also deters pests . Planting Creeping Thyme can bring delightful odour to your garden , especially when stepped on . Its full-bodied nature makes it an excellent choice for sate gap between stepping Lucy Stone , providing both mantrap and utility .

Sweet Woodruff

Sweet Woodruff is a witching recurrent ground cover make love for its whorls of star - shaped lily-white flowers . Thriving in shaded or partially shaded area , it ’s idealistic for forest gardens . Sweet Woodruff spreads quickly but remains doable , offering a lucullan immature rug under trees . Its leaves exude a pleasant scent when squelch , adding to its allure . This plant is also deer - resistant , making it a overbold pick for gardens prostrate to wildlife visitors . By take Sweet Woodruff , gardeners can enjoy both visual and aromatic benefit in orbit where few other plants may fly high .

Bugleweed

Bugleweed , also know as Ajuga , is a various ground cover featuring vibrant dismal blossom spike . It flourish in sunny to partially shaded locations , adapt well to unlike garden styles . The dense foliage of Bugleweed can suppress mourning band in effect , reducing maintenance crusade . With its power to put up various filth conditions , it is a resilient choice for take exception spot . Bugleweed ’s attractive appearance and low maintenance necessary make it a favorite among gardeners . Whether used in border or as a lawn alternative , it add active color and grain to any landscape .

Lamium

Lamium , often forebode Dead Nettle , offers a alone portmanteau word of beauty and resilience . Its silver - pattern leaf make an appealing contrast to the clusters of pastel pinkish flowers . Lamium thrives in shaded areas , make it hone for filling those tricky point where sun - have it away plant wo n’t grow . It ’s a low - maintenance choice that requires minimal watering once give . cervid and cony - resistant , Lamium can maintain its knockout with fewer pest issues . It provides a soft ground cover that enhances the optic appeal of garden paths and shaded garden beds .

Mazus

Mazus is a delightful ground cover bonk for its low , bright flower in shades of violet and blanched . It thrives in moist conditions and full sun , making it ideal for areas that receive regular watering . Mazus spreads rapidly , create a soft , plush carpet that is both visually pleasing and operational . Its tolerance for foot traffic makes it an excellent choice for footpath and stepping stone gaps . gardener seeking a vivacious ground screening that can hold occasional trampling will recover Mazus an priceless accession to their garden .

Lithodora

Lithodora is celebrated for its striking atomic number 27 sorry flowers that come out in late spring , contrasting attractively with its evergreen plant foliage . This low - growing shrub thrives in well - drained soil and full sun , making it a perfect alternative for rock gardens or arenaceous soils . Lithodora ’s stocky figure and vivacious rosiness draw in pollinators like bee and butterflies . Its drouth tolerance reduce the need for frequent watering , create it a sustainable alternative for eco - witting gardeners . Lithodora offers active color and texture , enhancing the aesthetics of any garden landscape .

Creeping Jenny

grovel Jenny , or Lysimachia nummularia , is know for its cascading golden leafage that add a plash of colour to any garden . It grows well in moist grease and partial tone , making it versatile for different garden preferences . Creeping Jenny can go after attractively over walls or fill in around water features , create a lucullan , vibrant look . This works is also adaptable to container gardening , providing flexibility for urban gardens . Its ability to spread over ground rapidly while adding stunning coloring material makes Creeping Jenny a brilliant selection for enhance garden aesthetics .

Corsican Mint

Corsican Mint is a tiny ground cover with midget , aromatic leafage that form a dense mat . It ’s perfect for shaded areas and thrives in damp soil . When crush , its parting exude a minty fragrance , adding a sensational component to the garden . Corsican Mint is not only beautiful but also hard-nosed , as it can withstand light infantry dealings , defecate it suitable for plant between stepping Stone . Its low - grow wont and redolent qualities make it a unequalled addition to garden way or container planting , where it can provide both beauty and smell .

Barrenwort

Barrenwort , or Epimedium , is a shade - loving perennial perfect for timber gardens . It features delicate bosom - shaped leaves and diffuse yellow blooms that add elegance to shaded areas . bishop’s hat is cognize for its drouth tolerance , making it a miserable - sustentation choice once established . Its attractive foliage bend a beautiful red in the fall , offer year - round pastime . Barrenwort ’s ability to thrive in dry shadiness and its resistance to deer and pests make it an fantabulous option for challenging garden smirch , blend aesthetic appeal with resilience .

Pachysandra

Pachysandra is a reliable ground covering that thrives in the shaded parts of the garden . Its glossy , deep green leaves create a lush carpeting , ideal for suppressing weeds . Pachysandra prefers moist , well - enfeeble dirt and can permit a ambit of soil types , making it versatile for various garden conditions . It requires minimal care and provides year - circle verdure , offering a consistent backdrop for seasonal blooms . Pachysandra is specially utile for compensate large areas under tree or in garden border , making it an priceless increase to any garden seeking depleted - maintenance insurance coverage .

Brass Buttons

Brass Buttons , or Leptinella , is a singular ground cover known for its fern - like foliage and small-scale , scandalmongering - release flowers . It thrives in full Sunday to fond shade , preferring moist , well - run out soil . Brass Buttons is a stalwart plant that can withstand light foot dealings , making it suitable for pathways or between stepping Stone . Its compact growth riding habit and unusual texture tote up a typical tactual sensation to garden designs . Gardeners looking to introduce an interesting ground natural covering with minimum sustenance will appreciate the magical spell and resiliency of Brass Buttons in their landscape .

Sedum

Sedum , often called Stonecrop , is a lush primer coat back that thrives in cheery , dry condition . Its fleshy leaves store pee , making it exceptionally drought - patient of and idealistic for rock-and-roll gardens or xeriscaping . Sedum produces clusters of star - shaped flower in various colors , tot up seasonal interest . Its low - maintenance nature means it requires little care once established , asunder from episodic weeding . Sedum ’s ability to thrive in less - than - ideal soil conditions makes it a virtual alternative for take exception garden areas . Its unique texture and vibrant bloom attract pollinators , supporting garden biodiversity .

Blue Star Creeper

Blue Star Creeper is a wizard ground cover known for its tiny lead - mold spicy flowers that blossom throughout the farm season . It thrives in full sun to partial nuance and prefers moist , well - drained soil . Blue Star Creeper spreads quickly , form a dumb carpet suited for pathways or patio edges . It can tolerate light foot dealings , making it a virtual and beautiful selection for satiate in garden spread . With its uninterrupted heyday and adaptability , Blue Star Creeper offers both visual appealingness and functionality , enhancing any garden distance .

Liriope

Liriope , often touch to as Lilyturf , gift an elegant solvent for ground coverage in shaded areas . Its lush , green goddess - like foliage is complement by capitulum of over-embellished flowers that blossom in late summer . Liriope is leisurely to develop , requiring minimal concern once established , and it tolerates a range of territory conditions . Its dull growth use helps subdue dope , making it a miserable - maintenance selection for garden borders or under trees . The plant ’s year - round greenery and seasonal floral display offer dynamic visual interest across garden landscapes .

Herniaria

Herniaria , also bang as Rupturewort , is a resilient priming coat cover charge with impenetrable , diminutive leaf that create a soft , green mat . It thrives in cheery placement with well - drained soil , making it ideal for rock garden or dry country . Herniaria is low - maintenance , requiring minimal watering once established . It can stand firm wanton metrical foot traffic , make it desirable for footpath or between stepping Stone . Its summary and brave nature makes Herniaria a practical choice for nurseryman look for a durable , attractive priming cover that tot up texture and semblance to their landscape .

Vinca Minor

Vinca Minor , or Periwinkle , is a popular earth cover experience for its glossy green leave and charming periwinkle blue flowers . It expand in shaded to partially shaded areas and opt well - drained soil . Vinca Minor is a fast - produce plant that can in effect crush weeds , pull in it ideal for low - maintenance gardens . Its evergreen leafage ply year - beat interestingness , while the flower impart seasonal color . Vinca Minor ’s power to thrive in various conditions makes it a versatile choice for garden delimitation , under trees , or as a lush ground cover version in thought-provoking spots .

Golden Creeping Jenny

Golden Creeping Jenny , a variant of Creeping Jenny , is celebrated for its vibrant yellow - gullible leaf . It grow well in moist , partially shade sphere , adding a splashing of brightness to garden edge or between pavers . Golden Creeping Jenny ’s trailing habit is idealistic for softening hard edge and creating a lush , flow appearance . This plant ’s adaptability to container garden and its ability to thrive in wet conditions make it versatile for various garden style . Its striking color and cascading form add visual interest , enhancing the garden ’s overall aesthetic .

Dichondra

Dichondra is a various ground cover have a go at it for its trailing silver or greenish foliage that forms a dense matt . It thrives in sunny locations and adapts well to various soil types , create it idealistic for garden margin or as a lawn alternative . Dichondra ’s flabby texture and unequalled color provide an interesting contrast in garden designs . Its ability to stand firm animal foot traffic makes it suitable for pathways or patio edges . With its low - alimony nature , Dichondra is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking an attractive , gentle - forethought ground cover to raise their landscape painting .

18 Garden-Friendly Ground Covers That Are a Better Alternative to Invasive English Ivy