Want a garden that’s low-maintenance and full of color?
These ground cover flowers thrive in sun, shade, and everywhere in between!
See which ground cover flowers will thrive in your garden!
19 Beautiful Ground Cover Flowers That Wow
Ground Cover Flowers for Sun
1. Golden Star Plant
Bright golden flowers pop against low, fuzzy green foliage, creating a cheery carpet in sunny spots.
Durable stems hold up well through changing weather conditions, offering reliable coverage.
Compact habit keeps weeds at bay and color going strong throughout the season.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5–9
- Average Mature Size: 6 inches tall & 12 inches wide
- Blooms: Golden yellow, star-shaped
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Chrysogonum virginianum
2. Creeping Phlox
Vibrant carpets of pink, purple, or white blossoms attract attention in a sunny garden.
Evergreen foliage stays fresh and green year-round, giving a lush appearance even after the blooms fade.
Dense growth pattern helps prevent erosion on slopes and banks.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–9
- Average Mature Size: 4–6 inches tall & 12–24 inches wide
- Blooms: Pink, purple, white
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Phlox subulata
3. Lady’s Mantle
Soft, scalloped leaves collect water droplets like tiny jewels after a morning shower.
Chartreuse blossoms appear in airy clusters, brightening sunny beds and borders.
Tolerant of mild drought, making it a forgiving choice for low-maintenance spaces.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–7
- Average Mature Size: 1–2 feet tall & 1–2 feet wide
- Blooms: Yellow-green clusters
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Botanical Name: Alchemilla mollis
4. Georgia Blue Creeping Speedwell
Sky-blue flowers appear in abundance, forming a low-growing mat perfect for edging pathways.
Bronze-tinged foliage brings added interest, especially in cooler months.
Quick spreading habit helps fill bare spots with ease in sun-drenched gardens.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5–9
- Average Mature Size: 4–6 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: Blue
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Veronica peduncularis ‘Georgia Blue’
5. Sedum
Succulent leaves store water, making this ground cover exceptionally drought-tolerant.
Clusters of tiny, star-shaped flowers appear in late summer, attracting pollinators.
Sturdy habit and vibrant color variations add striking contrast to any sunny space.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–9
- Average Mature Size: 3–8 inches tall & 12–24 inches wide
- Blooms: Star-shaped pink, yellow, or white
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Sedum spp.
6. Hardy Ice Plant
Bright magenta or yellow daisylike blooms blanket succulent foliage all summer long.
Fleshy leaves help retain water, allowing it to handle drought and heat with ease.
Low profile and brilliant color pair well with rock gardens or borders in full sun.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5–9
- Average Mature Size: 3–6 inches tall & up to 24 inches wide
- Blooms: Purple, pink, or yellow daisylike flowers
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Delosperma cooperi
7. Creeping Thyme
Fragrant foliage releases a pleasant aroma when brushed or stepped on.
Delicate purple blossoms draw in bees and other beneficial insects.
Mat-forming habit hugs the ground, making a functional and ornamental choice for sunny walkways.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Average Mature Size: 2–3 inches tall & 6–12 inches wide
- Blooms: Tiny purple or pink
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Thymus serpyllum
8. Basket of Gold
Golden-yellow clusters form a brilliant display against gray-green leaves.
Low mound shape looks stunning along borders or in rock gardens.
Tolerates poor soil conditions and thrives with plenty of sunshine.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–7
- Average Mature Size: 4–6 inches tall & 12 inches wide
- Blooms: Bright yellow clusters
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Aurinia saxatilis
9. Evening Primrose
Soft pastel blooms open in the late afternoon, creating a whimsical twilight display.
Fast-spreading growth covers large areas, offering bright pops of pink or yellow.
Sweet fragrance attracts nighttime pollinators and adds charm to sunlit corners.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–9
- Average Mature Size: 6–12 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: Pink or yellow
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Oenothera spp.
10. Carpathian Bellflower
Delicate bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue or white form a charming, low-growing mat.
Bloom period extends from late spring into summer, delivering color for weeks.
Tolerates some drought once established, making it a reliable choice for full sun.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–7
- Average Mature Size: 6–8 inches tall & 12 inches wide
- Blooms: Blue or white bell-shaped flowers
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Campanula carpatica
11. Candytuft
Pure white blossoms cluster atop evergreen foliage in a neat, mounded form.
Well-drained soil and bright sun keep those petals shining for weeks in spring.
Lightly fragrant blooms attract butterflies, bringing movement and life to rock gardens or borders.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–9
- Average Mature Size: 6–12 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: White
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Full Sun
- Botanical Name: Iberis sempervirens
Ground Cover Flowers for Shade
12. Pachysandra
Thick clusters of shiny evergreen leaves fill shaded corners with a lush carpet.
Delicate white spikes appear in early spring, subtle yet charming.
Slow, steady spread over time helps keep weeds down and soil protected.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
- Average Mature Size: 6–12 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: White spikes in spring
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Shade
- Botanical Name: Pachysandra terminalis
13. Barrenwort
Heart-shaped leaves edged with a hint of color stand out in dimly lit gardens.
Dainty, nodding flowers in pastel shades of yellow, pink, or white add a subtle sweetness.
Ability to flourish in dry shade makes it an excellent option for woodland settings.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5–9
- Average Mature Size: 8–12 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: Yellow, pink, or white
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Shade
- Botanical Name: Epimedium spp.
14. Foamflower
Foamy spikes of delicate white or pink blooms rise above deeply lobed leaves in spring.
Beautifully patterned foliage often turns bronze or red as temperatures dip.
Compact form mixes well with other perennials, creating a soft woodland tapestry.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–8
- Average Mature Size: 6–12 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: White or pink foamy spikes
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Shade
- Botanical Name: Tiarella cordifolia
15. Barren Strawberry
Low-growing, strawberry-like leaves brighten shady beds with a glossy green hue.
Small, cheerful yellow flowers appear in spring, though no fruit emerges.
Dense mats help control erosion and create a tidy edge along pathways.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–7
- Average Mature Size: 4–6 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: Bright yellow
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Shade
- Botanical Name: Waldsteinia fragarioides
16. Sweet Woodruff
Whorled leaves emit a sweet fragrance when crushed, often used in potpourri.
Tiny white star-shaped blooms appear in late spring, creating an airy accent under trees.
Quick-spreading habit forms a soft carpet and thrives in moist, shaded spots.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4–8
- Average Mature Size: 6–12 inches tall & can spread indefinitely
- Blooms: White star-shaped
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Shade
- Botanical Name: Galium odoratum
17. Spotted Deadnettle
Silvery, variegated leaves feature eye-catching patterns that brighten low-light areas.
Tubular flowers in pink, purple, or white bloom from spring to summer.
Rapid spread covers ground efficiently but remains manageable with routine trimming.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–8
- Average Mature Size: 6–8 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: Pink, purple, or white
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Shade
- Botanical Name: Lamium maculatum
18. Lilyturf
Strappy, grasslike foliage adds texture and height to dimly lit borders.
Purple or white flower spikes appear in late summer, followed by tiny berries.
Heat tolerance and a neat clumping habit make it a low-fuss ground cover.
- USDA Growing Zones: 6–10
- Average Mature Size: 12–18 inches tall & 12–18 inches wide
- Blooms: Purple or white spikes
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Shade
- Botanical Name: Liriope muscari
19. Bugleweed
Vivid purple-blue flower spikes emerge among glossy leaves, adding life to shaded corners.
Runners spread rapidly, helping to suppress weeds and stabilize soil.
Bold leaf variations in bronze or variegated tones keep interest alive all season.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3–10
- Average Mature Size: 3–6 inches tall & can spread indefinitely
- Blooms: Purple-blue spikes
- Annual/Perennial: Perennial
- Thrives In: Shade
- Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans
