What Ground Cover Flowers All Summer

Ground cover flowers are an excellent way to beautify your garden, fill empty spaces, and reduce maintenance. These flowers thrive on the ground, forming a dense carpet of color and texture. Many ground cover plants can bloom all summer long, providing your garden with vibrant hues and fragrance. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of ground cover flowers that bloom all summer, their benefits, and how to grow them effectively.

What Are Ground Cover Flowers?

Ground cover flowers are low-growing plants that spread across the soil. They are typically chosen for their ability to cover large areas, suppress weeds, and create an attractive, uniform look. Unlike tall shrubs or trees, these plants remain close to the ground, growing in a compact, spreading pattern. Many ground cover flowers bloom profusely, offering continuous color throughout the growing season.

Benefits of Ground Cover Flowers

Weed Control: One of the primary benefits of ground cover flowers is their ability to suppress weeds. Their dense foliage creates shade, preventing weed seeds from getting the light they need to germinate.
Soil Erosion Prevention: These flowers help prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the soil with their roots. This is especially beneficial on slopes or in areas where erosion might occur due to heavy rainfall.
Aesthetic Appeal: Ground cover flowers can transform your garden into a colorful and vibrant space. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, allowing for endless creative possibilities.
Low Maintenance: Once established, ground cover flowers require less maintenance than traditional garden beds. They need less water, and many are drought-tolerant, making them perfect for gardens that don’t get a lot of attention.

Best Ground Cover Flowers That Bloom All Summer

1. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a popular ground cover flower known for its vibrant yellow-green foliage. In late spring and early summer, small yellow flowers bloom on this plant, adding a splash of color to the garden. Creeping Jenny is very versatile and can be used in full sun or partial shade.

Height: 4-6 inches
Spread: 18-24 inches
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Ideal Conditions: Well-drained soil, partial to full sun

2. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme is an excellent choice for a fragrant and low-maintenance ground cover. The tiny purple or pink flowers appear in late spring and continue to bloom into the summer. This plant thrives in sunny, dry conditions and forms a dense mat of greenery with small, aromatic leaves.

Height: 2-4 inches
Spread: 12-18 inches
Flower Color: Pink, purple
Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
Ideal Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil

3. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a low-growing perennial that forms a dense carpet of colorful foliage. The flowers bloom in spikes and can be blue, purple, or white, making it a stunning choice for a summer garden. Ajuga is an excellent choice for both sunny and shaded areas.

Height: 4-6 inches
Spread: 12-18 inches
Flower Color: Blue, purple, white
Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
Ideal Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist well-drained soil

4. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum, commonly known as “stonecrop,” is a tough and drought-tolerant ground cover plant. It blooms in late summer and fall with clusters of small flowers that come in shades of pink, yellow, and red. Sedum is perfect for dry, rocky areas and thrives in full sun.

Height: 6-12 inches
Spread: 12-18 inches
Flower Color: Pink, yellow, red
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Ideal Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil

5. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet woodruff is a fragrant ground cover plant with delicate white flowers. It blooms in early to mid-spring but can provide a steady ground cover throughout the summer months. Sweet woodruff thrives in shady areas and is a great choice for woodland gardens.

Height: 4-6 inches
Spread: 12-18 inches
Flower Color: White
Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring
Ideal Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist, well-drained soil

6. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)

Daylilies are known for their vibrant flowers, which come in various colors, including yellow, orange, red, and purple. While their blooms last only a day, they appear in continuous succession throughout the summer, providing long-lasting color in your garden.

Height: 12-36 inches
Spread: 18-24 inches
Flower Color: Yellow, orange, red, purple
Bloom Time: Summer
Ideal Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil

7. Lamium (Lamium maculatum)

Lamium, or spotted deadnettle, is an excellent choice for shady areas. Its soft foliage is often marked with silver or white spots, and it produces small flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. Lamium blooms from spring through summer, making it a great option for consistent coverage.

Height: 6-12 inches
Spread: 12-18 inches
Flower Color: Pink, purple, white
Bloom Time: Spring to summer
Ideal Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist well-drained soil

8. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Vinca minor, also known as periwinkle, is a hardy ground cover flower that thrives in a variety of conditions. It blooms with small, blue or purple flowers that last from early spring to late summer. Vinca minor is perfect for both sunny and shady areas and is ideal for areas with poor soil.

Height: 4-6 inches
Spread: 18-24 inches
Flower Color: Blue, purple
Bloom Time: Early spring to late summer
Ideal Conditions: Partial to full shade, well-drained soil

9. Mazus (Mazus reptans)

Mazus is a low-growing perennial that produces small, vibrant flowers in shades of purple, blue, or white. It is a fast-growing ground cover and blooms profusely from late spring to early fall, making it a great choice for covering large areas.

Height: 2-4 inches
Spread: 12-18 inches
Flower Color: Purple, blue, white
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Ideal Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil

10. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

While traditionally grown as an upright flower, Black-eyed Susan can also be used as a ground cover in some areas. Known for its striking yellow petals and dark centers, this flower blooms from early summer until fall. It’s a great choice for sunny areas and adds cheerful color to your garden.

Height: 12-24 inches
Spread: 12-18 inches
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Ideal Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil

How to Grow Ground Cover Flowers

Choose the Right Location: Consider the amount of sunlight your garden gets. Some groundcover flowers prefer full sun, while others thrive in the shade. Select flowers that suit your garden’s specific light conditions.
Prepare the Soil: Ground cover flowers tend to do well in well-drained soil. Before planting, amend the soil with compost to improve fertility and ensure good drainage. Make sure the soil is loose and not compacted.
Spacing: Ground cover flowers should be planted closely together to form a dense carpet. Follow the recommended spacing guidelines for each plant to ensure they spread properly.
Watering: While ground-cover flowers are low-maintenance, they still need regular watering, especially during dry spells. Once established, many of these flowers are drought-tolerant and need less water.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your ground cover plants to retain moisture, keep weeds down, and regulate soil temperature.
Pruning: Some ground cover flowers may require light pruning to keep them from becoming too leggy or spreading too much. Regularly trim back dead or overgrown stems to maintain a tidy appearance.

Conclusion

Ground cover flowers are a wonderful addition to any garden, offering both beauty and practical benefits. From Creeping Jenny to Black-eyed Susan, many varieties bloom all summer long, filling your garden with vibrant colors and textures. By selecting the right flowers for your space and following proper planting and care techniques, you can enjoy a lush, low-maintenance garden that looks stunning throughout the growing season.

Hot search terms

USEFUL LINKS

TAGS