Forget weeding! Our top 20 gorgeous plants will out-compete them easily

1: Geranium ‘Rozanne’ (Hardy geranium – main image)

‘Rozanne’ is a standout hardy geranium, famed for its ability to scramble across the ground, forming a mass of deeply cut green leaves topped with large, violet-blue flowers from early summer into autumn. It fills gaps at the front of borders or under shrubs with vibrant colour and attractive foliage. ‘Rozanne’ thrives in sun or partial shade and is undemanding, tolerating most soils. Its sterile nature means it flowers for months without self-seeding, making it a reliable and long-lasting ground cover.

Spread: up to 11

2: Vinca minor (Lesser periwinkle)

This tough evergreen perennial is prized for its glossy green foliage and dainty, star-shaped purple flowers from spring to late summer. Hugging the ground at around 10cm high, it quickly forms a dense mat, suppressing weeds and covering bare soil with ease. Vinca minor thrives in sun or shade and copes well with a range of soil types, making it ideal for tricky spots under trees or on banks. Far less invasive than its larger relative, greater periwinkle, it’s perfect for smaller gardens needing reliable, low-maintenance ground cover.

Spread: up to 1.5m

3: Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese spurge)

An evergreen mat-forming perennial that excels at carpeting shady areas beneath trees and shrubs. Its glossy, serrated leaves create a lush, dense cover, and tiny white flowers appear in spring. Pachysandra prefers moist, slightly acidic soil and tolerates dry shade once established, making it invaluable for difficult, shady corners. Slow to establish but long-lived, it’s a classic choice for low-maintenance ground cover, requiring minimal care once settled. Its ability to outcompete weeds and retain greenery year-round makes it a stalwart of shaded borders and woodland gardens.

Spread: up to 1.5m

4: Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ (Lamb’s ear)

‘Silver Carpet’ is a low-growing evergreen perennial, celebrated for its tactile, woolly, silver-grey leaves that form dense mats. Drought-tolerant and evergreen, it’s perfect for the front of sunny borders, gravel gardens, or banks, providing year-round interest and weed suppression. The foliage is so soft it’s irresistible to touch, and its neat habit means it rarely produces flowers, focusing energy on lush leaf growth. Once established, it copes well with poor, dry soils, making it a resilient and attractive ground cover choice.

Spread: up to 1m

5: Gaultheria procumbens (Checkerberry)

Checkerberry is a compact evergreen shrub which spreads to create a dense carpet of red-edged leaves that are particularly striking in winter. It’s adorned with white flowers in summer, followed by bright red berries that last into winter. Preferring moist, well-drained acidic soil, it’s ideal for banks, slopes, or wildlife gardens, where its berries provide food for birds and mammals. Checkerberry's neat, low-growing habit and attractive winter colouring make it a valuable ground cover, especially in gardens where year-round interest is needed.

Spread: up to 1m

6: Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ (Spindle)

This versatile, evergreen shrub forms a low, spreading mat of white-edged, variegated leaves, making it excellent for covering ground and suppressing weeds. The fresh, variegated foliage brightens borders, banks, or shady spots, and its tolerance of a range of soils and exposures makes it easy to grow. Remove any non-variegated shoots to maintain the beautifully variegated leaves. ‘Silver Queen’ is a reliable, decorative solution for year-round ground cover. Spindle is harmful to people and pets if eaten.

Spread: 1.5m

7: Ajuga reptans BLACK SCALLOP ‘Binblasca’ (Bugle)

BLACK SCALLOP is a spreading perennial, prized for its glossy, dark, almost black foliage. In spring, it sends up short spikes of deep blue flowers, adding a burst of colour to shady borders. It thrives in partial to full shade, coping with a range of soils. Leaf colour will vary slightly, with plants in full shade having greener foliage than plants in partial shade; some sun is required to bring out the darkness of the leaves. Low-maintenance and quick to establish, it’s ideal for suppressing weeds and adding dramatic foliage contrast to mixed plantings, especially in difficult, shaded areas.

Spread: 1m

8: Bergenia (Elephant’s ears)

Bergenia, also known as elephant’s ears, is a robust, evergreen perennial with large, shiny leaves that often take on a red flush in winter. Forming dense clumps up to 50cm high and wide, it’s perfect for covering ground in borders or shady corners. Mauve or pink flowers appear in spring, providing early colour. Bergenias tolerate a wide range of soils and conditions, thriving best in moist, well-drained spots. Their bold foliage and resilience make them a classic, low-maintenance ground cover for year-round interest.

Spread: up to 50cm

9: Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ (Siberian bugloss)

With striking, heart-shaped silver leaves with green veining, this perennial will create a bright carpet in shady borders. In spring, it produces delicate blue flowers reminiscent of forget-me-nots. Thriving in partial to full shade, it prefers moist, well-drained soil and pairs beautifully with other woodland plants. ‘Jack Frost’ is valued for its foliage in spring and summer, and its ability to illuminate dark corners, making it a great ground cover for shade gardens.

Spread: 1m

10: Hedera helix (Ivy)

Ivy is a classic evergreen ground cover, renowned for its adaptability and vigorous, spreading habit. It forms dense mats of lobed, glossy leaves, available in many shapes and variegated forms. Ivy thrives in sun or deep shade, tolerates a wide range of soils, and is invaluable for covering banks, underplanting trees, or masking unsightly areas. Once established, it needs minimal care, other than to ensure it doesn't spread too far. It's excellent for wildlife, providing shelter and food for insects. Ivy is harmful to people and pets if eaten, and it's a skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Spread: usually up to 1.5m, but can spread further

11: Tiarella cordifolia (Foam flower)

Also known as foam flower, this charming perennial is perfect for ground cover in shady spots. Its deeply lobed, fresh green leaves form a dense carpet, while frothy spikes of starry white flowers appear from May to July. It also has the advantage of bronze leaves in autumn. Plant in groups to get maximum impact, ideally in moist, humus-rich soil. Thriving in partial to full shade, tiarella needs little attention once established. It will brighten up even the gloomiest corners with its delicate blooms and attractive leaves.

Spread: 50cm

12: Heuchera (Coral bells)

Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is prized for its scalloped foliage in a kaleidoscope of colours, from soft orange to deep purple. They form attractive clumps and make useful ground cover for a shady spot. In summer, slender stems rise above the leaves, topped with dainty sprays of tiny flowers. Heucheras are low-maintenance and evergreen, offering year-round interest. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making them a reliable choice for difficult spots. Their versatility and vibrant leaves make them a firm favourite for adding texture and colour.

Spread: up to 50cm

13: Erica x darleyensis ‘Furzey’ (Heather)

This robust heather forms a spreading mat of fine, evergreen foliage. From December to May, it's smothered in lilac-pink flowers, brightening up winter and early spring. This heather thrives in neutral or acid soil and loves a sunny position, making it ideal for banks or south-facing borders. Its dense growth suppresses weeds and provides shelter for wildlife. Hardy and undemanding, ‘Furzey’ is perfect for low-maintenance gardens, delivering colour and structure when little else is in flower.

Spread: 50cm

14: Veronica pinguifolia 'Sutherlandii' (Hebe)

With low carpeting mounds of attractive, grey-green foliage, Veronica pinguifolia 'Sutherlandii' is a useful and beautiful ground cover choice. In late spring to early summer, it bears short spikes of white flowers, much loved by bees. This veronica is tolerant of pollution and salty air, making it suitable for coastal gardens and urban spaces. It flourishes in full sun and well-drained soil, and its evergreen foliage ensures year-round interest. ‘Sutherlandii’ is excellent for ground cover in groups, providing reliable, fuss-free greenery.

Spread: 50cm

15: Crocosmia (Montbretia)

Crocosmia, or montbretia, is renowned for its arching sprays of fiery flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red, blooming in late summer. The upright, sword-like leaves form dense clumps, making it an effective ground cover when planted en masse. Crocosmia thrives in a sunny, sheltered spot and prefers well-drained soil. It's low-maintenance and can quickly fill gaps at the front of borders. Its vibrant blooms are a magnet for pollinators and bring a touch of drama to any garden. Mulch in winter if your garden is particularly cold. Avoid planting Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora, as it's a Schedule 9 species and can be invasive if it escapes into the wider landscape.

16: Helianthemum nummularium (Rock rose)

This clump-forming, evergreen shrub bears pretty, papery flowers in a range of colours in early and midsummer. Rock roses are perfect for the front of a sunny border or a rock garden, thriving in well-drained soil and needing little attention once established. Their dense growth helps suppress weeds, and they bring a splash of colour to even the driest, poorest soils. Plants may need protection in harsh winters.

Spread: 50cm

17: Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ (Dwarf juniper)

This dwarf juniper forms a neat, rounded mound of steely-blue evergreen foliage. Its slow-growing, low habit makes it ideal for ground cover in rock gardens, on slopes or at the front of borders. ‘Blue Star’ prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and is highly drought-tolerant once established. The striking blue foliage provides year-round interest and contrasts beautifully with other plants. Juniper is harmful if eaten, and it's a skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Spread: 1m

18: Bistorta officinalis 'Superba' (Red bistort)

This vigorous perennial quickly forms a dense carpet of broad green leaves, ideal for ground cover in damp, partly shaded areas. From late spring to early summer, it sends up spikes of fluffy pink flowers. It spreads quickly, making it an ideal ground cover. It’s fairly easy to grow and will thrive in full sun or partial shade. It can also cope well with moisture-retentive soils. Grow alongside ferns and hostas for a particularly striking display.

Spread: 1m

19: Alchemilla mollis (Lady's mantle)

Lady's mantle is a classic ground cover plant with soft, scalloped leaves. In early summer, it produces clouds of tiny, yellow flowers above the foliage. Its spreading habit quickly covers bare soil, making it excellent for the front of borders or for underplanting. Lady’s mantle thrives in sun or partial shade and tolerates most soils. Low-maintenance and reliable, it’s perfect for cottage gardens and informal borders.

Spread: 50cm

20: Epimedium x youngianum ‘Niveum’ (Barrenwort)

Also known as barrenwort, this robust shade-lover spreads quickly, covering the ground with low, leathery foliage. Airy clouds of delicate white flowers appear in spring, while the foliage often takes on bronze tints in autumn. This herbaceous perennial thrives in deep or partial shade and is ideal for under trees or in woodland borders. Its spreading habit helps suppress weeds.

Spread: 50cm