Ground covers are plants that, well…cover the ground. At Details Landscape Art, we often talk about mixing heights, textures, and bloom seasons when designing a garden. The shortest layer in that palette is often the humble ground cover.
Manzanita ‘Emerald Carpet’ ground cover lines a flagstone path
Ground covers do much more than simply fill space. They add color and texture, help suppress weeds by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds, and can even help control erosion on slopes. Some varieties trail beautifully over retaining walls (rosemary)
Rosemary prostrate ground cover trails over a stone wall
, while others create a lush carpet beneath trees and shrubs.
As a Sonoma County design-build landscape contractor, we regularly incorporate ground covers into our landscape designs because they help create a finished, layered appearance while reducing maintenance.
Why Use Ground Covers?
Lomandra ‘Breeze’ is a sun-shade ground cover evergreen grass
They offer several practical benefits:
- Help suppress weeds
- Reduce exposed soil and mulch areas
- Add year-round color and texture
- Help with erosion control on slopes
- Soften hardscape elements such as walls and pathways
- Reduce maintenance compared to larger planting areas
They can range from just a few inches tall to more than two feet in height. Some are evergreen, while others provide seasonal flowers and color.
One important consideration is mature size. A plant that looks small at the nursery may eventually spread six feet or more. Proper spacing is essential to avoid overcrowding and to achieve the desired appearance.
Ground Covers for Erosion Control
Certain ground covers are particularly useful on hillsides and slopes because their root systems help bind the soil.
Some of our favorites include:
Rosemary ‘Prostrata’
Tough, hardy, drought tolerant, and excellent for erosion control. Its pale blue flowers and cascading habit make it especially attractive spilling over retaining walls.
Manzanita ‘Emerald Carpet’
A dependable California native with attractive green foliage, white spring flowers, and a spreading habit of four to six feet.
Ceanothus gloriosus
One of our favorite hillside plants. It produces beautiful blue flowers in spring and thrives in Sonoma County’s climate.
Flowering Ground Covers
Many provide beautiful seasonal blooms while still performing the practical job of covering the soil.
Santa Barbara Daisy
A long-blooming perennial that seems to flower almost continuously. It benefits from periodic cutting back to maintain a compact appearance.
Nepeta (Catmint)
Soft gray-green foliage and abundant blue flowers make this an excellent choice for cottage-style gardens.
Lantana
A colorful spreading cover that thrives in sunny locations. The purple varieties tend to be the most cold hardy.
Evergreen Ground Covers
Evergreen ground covers provide year-round structure and color.
Nandina ‘Harbour Dwarf’
A compact selection with attractive foliage that develops red tones in the fall and winter.
Star Jasmine
One of the most fragrant plants we use. It spreads aggressively and produces masses of white flowers throughout the summer.
Cotoneaster
Low-growing varieties provide attractive foliage and bright red berries that persist through much of the year.
Ground Covers for Shade
Finding reliable plants for shady locations can be challenging, but several perform beautifully.
Mondo Grass
A favorite for shaded gardens. It slowly spreads and creates a lush carpet beneath trees and larger shrubs.
Vinca Minor
A durable ground cover that tolerates both sun and shade while producing attractive periwinkle-blue flowers.
Ground Covers Complete the Garden
A successful landscape is built in layers. Trees provide height, shrubs create structure, perennials add seasonal color, and ground covers tie everything together.
At Details Landscape Art, we use ground covers to create attractive, low-maintenance gardens throughout Sonoma County. Whether the goal is erosion control, weed suppression, seasonal color, or simply creating a finished appearance, the right ground cover can be an important part of a beautiful garden design.
Ground covers may be the shortest plants in the garden, but they often play one of the biggest roles in bringing the entire landscape together.