Types Of Groundcovers to Prevent Weeds
Groundcovers can add a surprising pop of color or texture, differentiate between landscape spaces, provide erosion control, and just plain look good. The best groundcovers to prevent weeds are low-growing, dense, mat-forming evergreens, but there are deciduous choices that work well too. There are groundcovers for sun, part sun, and shady areas that can provide ornamental beauty as well as outcompete weeds.
Best Groundcover Plants to Prevent Weeds
For best results, first remove all the weeds in the planting site. The areas can be solarized in summer for four to six weeks using clear plastic. For quicker planting, pull or hoe the weeds. Perennial weeds such as dandelions may need chemical control to kill all the roots. Spray about two weeks before planting. Read and follow all label instructions. Then, incorporate compost to enrich the soil and improve its drainage. The best time to plant is in spring to give the plants time to become established before winter. Dense evergreens are the preferred groundcover that chokes out weeds. Deciduous groundcovers can work too, if they form a carpet of foliage that prevents the sun from reaching the soil and germinating those pesky weeds. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sun – Height 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm)
Clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’) – purple flowers in late spring, dense foliage mat to 5 inches (13 cm). Flower stalks to 12 inches (31 cm). Zones 3-8Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) – evergreen, ‘Icee Blue,’ ‘Prince of Wales,’ ‘Wiltonii’ (‘Blue Rug’). Zones 3-9Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) – red, white, lavender flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 3-9Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) – pink flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 5-8Crystal River ® veronica (Veronica ‘Reavis’) – blue flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 3-7Goldmoss sedum (Sedum acre) – yellow flowers in early summer, evergreen leaves. Zones 4-9Ice plant (Delosperma spp.) – red, yellow, white, or fuchsia flowers spring to fall, succulent leaves. Zones 6-10Rock cress (Aubrieta ‘Red Cascade’) – magenta to rosy-red flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 4-9Woolly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa) – yellow flowers in summer, gray foliage. Zones 3-7
Part Sun – Height 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm)
Ajuga (Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’) – blue flower spikes in late spring. Zones 3-10Heath aster (Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’) – white flowers in fall, native. Zones 3-9Scotch moss (Sagina subulata ‘Aurea’) – white flowers in spring, chartreuse foliage. Zones 4-8Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’) – rosy red flowers in summer, foliage turns red in fall. Zones 4-9Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’) – pink flowers in fall, foliage turns burgundy. Zones 3-9Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – pink flowers in spring, red berries, evergreen, n ative. Zones 2-6
Shade – Height 1 to 8 inches (2.5-20 cm)
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – creamy white flowers, native. Zones 4-9Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) – evergreen. Zones 5-9Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) – pink flowers in pairs in summer, evergreen, native.Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) – evergreen leaves, native. Zones 7-10Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) – needs acidic soil, evergreen leaves turn bronze in winter, red berries, native. Zones 3-8
title: “Types Of Groundcover To Prevent Weeds” ShowToc: true date: “2024-08-29” author: “Robert Williams”
Types Of Groundcovers to Prevent Weeds
Groundcovers can add a surprising pop of color or texture, differentiate between landscape spaces, provide erosion control, and just plain look good. The best groundcovers to prevent weeds are low-growing, dense, mat-forming evergreens, but there are deciduous choices that work well too. There are groundcovers for sun, part sun, and shady areas that can provide ornamental beauty as well as outcompete weeds.
Best Groundcover Plants to Prevent Weeds
For best results, first remove all the weeds in the planting site. The areas can be solarized in summer for four to six weeks using clear plastic. For quicker planting, pull or hoe the weeds. Perennial weeds such as dandelions may need chemical control to kill all the roots. Spray about two weeks before planting. Read and follow all label instructions. Then, incorporate compost to enrich the soil and improve its drainage. The best time to plant is in spring to give the plants time to become established before winter. Dense evergreens are the preferred groundcover that chokes out weeds. Deciduous groundcovers can work too, if they form a carpet of foliage that prevents the sun from reaching the soil and germinating those pesky weeds. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sun – Height 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm)
Clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’) – purple flowers in late spring, dense foliage mat to 5 inches (13 cm). Flower stalks to 12 inches (31 cm). Zones 3-8Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) – evergreen, ‘Icee Blue,’ ‘Prince of Wales,’ ‘Wiltonii’ (‘Blue Rug’). Zones 3-9Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) – red, white, lavender flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 3-9Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) – pink flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 5-8Crystal River ® veronica (Veronica ‘Reavis’) – blue flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 3-7Goldmoss sedum (Sedum acre) – yellow flowers in early summer, evergreen leaves. Zones 4-9Ice plant (Delosperma spp.) – red, yellow, white, or fuchsia flowers spring to fall, succulent leaves. Zones 6-10Rock cress (Aubrieta ‘Red Cascade’) – magenta to rosy-red flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 4-9Woolly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa) – yellow flowers in summer, gray foliage. Zones 3-7
Part Sun – Height 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm)
Ajuga (Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’) – blue flower spikes in late spring. Zones 3-10Heath aster (Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’) – white flowers in fall, native. Zones 3-9Scotch moss (Sagina subulata ‘Aurea’) – white flowers in spring, chartreuse foliage. Zones 4-8Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’) – rosy red flowers in summer, foliage turns red in fall. Zones 4-9Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’) – pink flowers in fall, foliage turns burgundy. Zones 3-9Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – pink flowers in spring, red berries, evergreen, n ative. Zones 2-6
Shade – Height 1 to 8 inches (2.5-20 cm)
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – creamy white flowers, native. Zones 4-9Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) – evergreen. Zones 5-9Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) – pink flowers in pairs in summer, evergreen, native.Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) – evergreen leaves, native. Zones 7-10Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) – needs acidic soil, evergreen leaves turn bronze in winter, red berries, native. Zones 3-8
title: “Types Of Groundcover To Prevent Weeds” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-23” author: “Jack Jodoin”
Types Of Groundcovers to Prevent Weeds
Groundcovers can add a surprising pop of color or texture, differentiate between landscape spaces, provide erosion control, and just plain look good. The best groundcovers to prevent weeds are low-growing, dense, mat-forming evergreens, but there are deciduous choices that work well too. There are groundcovers for sun, part sun, and shady areas that can provide ornamental beauty as well as outcompete weeds.
Best Groundcover Plants to Prevent Weeds
For best results, first remove all the weeds in the planting site. The areas can be solarized in summer for four to six weeks using clear plastic. For quicker planting, pull or hoe the weeds. Perennial weeds such as dandelions may need chemical control to kill all the roots. Spray about two weeks before planting. Read and follow all label instructions. Then, incorporate compost to enrich the soil and improve its drainage. The best time to plant is in spring to give the plants time to become established before winter. Dense evergreens are the preferred groundcover that chokes out weeds. Deciduous groundcovers can work too, if they form a carpet of foliage that prevents the sun from reaching the soil and germinating those pesky weeds. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sun – Height 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm)
Clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’) – purple flowers in late spring, dense foliage mat to 5 inches (13 cm). Flower stalks to 12 inches (31 cm). Zones 3-8Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) – evergreen, ‘Icee Blue,’ ‘Prince of Wales,’ ‘Wiltonii’ (‘Blue Rug’). Zones 3-9Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) – red, white, lavender flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 3-9Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) – pink flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 5-8Crystal River ® veronica (Veronica ‘Reavis’) – blue flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 3-7Goldmoss sedum (Sedum acre) – yellow flowers in early summer, evergreen leaves. Zones 4-9Ice plant (Delosperma spp.) – red, yellow, white, or fuchsia flowers spring to fall, succulent leaves. Zones 6-10Rock cress (Aubrieta ‘Red Cascade’) – magenta to rosy-red flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 4-9Woolly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa) – yellow flowers in summer, gray foliage. Zones 3-7
Part Sun – Height 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm)
Ajuga (Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’) – blue flower spikes in late spring. Zones 3-10Heath aster (Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’) – white flowers in fall, native. Zones 3-9Scotch moss (Sagina subulata ‘Aurea’) – white flowers in spring, chartreuse foliage. Zones 4-8Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’) – rosy red flowers in summer, foliage turns red in fall. Zones 4-9Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’) – pink flowers in fall, foliage turns burgundy. Zones 3-9Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – pink flowers in spring, red berries, evergreen, n ative. Zones 2-6
Shade – Height 1 to 8 inches (2.5-20 cm)
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – creamy white flowers, native. Zones 4-9Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) – evergreen. Zones 5-9Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) – pink flowers in pairs in summer, evergreen, native.Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) – evergreen leaves, native. Zones 7-10Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) – needs acidic soil, evergreen leaves turn bronze in winter, red berries, native. Zones 3-8
title: “Types Of Groundcover To Prevent Weeds” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-07” author: “Bethany Harris”
Types Of Groundcovers to Prevent Weeds
Groundcovers can add a surprising pop of color or texture, differentiate between landscape spaces, provide erosion control, and just plain look good. The best groundcovers to prevent weeds are low-growing, dense, mat-forming evergreens, but there are deciduous choices that work well too. There are groundcovers for sun, part sun, and shady areas that can provide ornamental beauty as well as outcompete weeds.
Best Groundcover Plants to Prevent Weeds
For best results, first remove all the weeds in the planting site. The areas can be solarized in summer for four to six weeks using clear plastic. For quicker planting, pull or hoe the weeds. Perennial weeds such as dandelions may need chemical control to kill all the roots. Spray about two weeks before planting. Read and follow all label instructions. Then, incorporate compost to enrich the soil and improve its drainage. The best time to plant is in spring to give the plants time to become established before winter. Dense evergreens are the preferred groundcover that chokes out weeds. Deciduous groundcovers can work too, if they form a carpet of foliage that prevents the sun from reaching the soil and germinating those pesky weeds. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sun – Height 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm)
Clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata ‘Superba’) – purple flowers in late spring, dense foliage mat to 5 inches (13 cm). Flower stalks to 12 inches (31 cm). Zones 3-8Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) – evergreen, ‘Icee Blue,’ ‘Prince of Wales,’ ‘Wiltonii’ (‘Blue Rug’). Zones 3-9Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) – red, white, lavender flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 3-9Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) – pink flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 5-8Crystal River ® veronica (Veronica ‘Reavis’) – blue flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 3-7Goldmoss sedum (Sedum acre) – yellow flowers in early summer, evergreen leaves. Zones 4-9Ice plant (Delosperma spp.) – red, yellow, white, or fuchsia flowers spring to fall, succulent leaves. Zones 6-10Rock cress (Aubrieta ‘Red Cascade’) – magenta to rosy-red flowers in spring, evergreen. Zones 4-9Woolly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa) – yellow flowers in summer, gray foliage. Zones 3-7
Part Sun – Height 1 to 6 inches (2.5-15 cm)
Ajuga (Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’) – blue flower spikes in late spring. Zones 3-10Heath aster (Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’) – white flowers in fall, native. Zones 3-9Scotch moss (Sagina subulata ‘Aurea’) – white flowers in spring, chartreuse foliage. Zones 4-8Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’) – rosy red flowers in summer, foliage turns red in fall. Zones 4-9Stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘John Creech’) – pink flowers in fall, foliage turns burgundy. Zones 3-9Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – pink flowers in spring, red berries, evergreen, n ative. Zones 2-6
Shade – Height 1 to 8 inches (2.5-20 cm)
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – creamy white flowers, native. Zones 4-9Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) – evergreen. Zones 5-9Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) – pink flowers in pairs in summer, evergreen, native.Wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) – evergreen leaves, native. Zones 7-10Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) – needs acidic soil, evergreen leaves turn bronze in winter, red berries, native. Zones 3-8
