A shimmering miracle of grace between 5 and 6 feet tall, ‘Morning Light’, like fountain grass, turns golden in November and fades to beige in winter. The most common type of Sedum is the one with green leaves, but other spreading varieties have leaves that are blue-grey or yellow. This ground cover for the sun grows between 4” and 8” (10 – 20 cm) tall. Other handsome burgundy-leaved flowers to try in the sunny border include … This hardy, sun-loving perennial grows well in USDA zones 3 – 7. It’s an excellent ground cover where other types of plants are difficult to grow. This creeping plant grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5 – 9. Coreopsis Moonbeam. Stems from the Blue Star Creeper (also called ‘swamp isotome’) grow along the ground and the small dark green ovate leaves provide dense cover. Also called the Creeping Cedar, this evergreen perennial can spread for many meters wide. If you are looking for a low-maintenance ground cover plant, then the Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) is an excellent landscaping choice. The inner light, which accounts for its name, emanates from the white midribs of its fine-textured leaf blades and the threads of white around their edges. Late in the spring, clusters of white fragrant flowers appear giving you beautiful white ground cover. Dianthuses are an excellent border plants, besides salvia, which are miniature plants coming in shades of pink and blue. When mature and well established, the plant forms a soft mat over the ground. Brass Buttons is a flowering ground cover for sunny locations. Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil The Golden Creeping Jenny is the best choice from the other Lysimachia cultivars as it is a fast-spreading plant but not as invasive. You also need to make sure that Lamb’s Ear gets plenty of sun throughout the day. Angelina Sedum (Sedum rupestre, Sedum reflexum) is a spreading evergreen plant that is an excellent landscaping solution for green cover. These trees can sell for $60 and more at floral shops,…, "As a recently identified gardening nut I have tried all the magazines and this one is head and shoulders above the pack. In early spring, yellow showy blossoms appear on the plant and give a splash of color to your garden. Since grasses have deep roots, it’s hard work, so do it sooner rather than later. If you live in USDA zones 4 to 7, then this carefree low-growing plant provides great year-round ground cover and bright flowers in the spring. This low-spreading plant is virtually carefree and being an evergreen perennial, it provides green ground cover all year. My other favorite grass is Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ (Zones 4–9). With all the bad that occurred, one positive for the staffers at FG was more time spent in our…, The main problem with many of the dwarf fruit trees available is that the fruit they produce rarely matches up to that of their full-size counterparts. This low-growing type of evergreen plant has trailing stems that help to cover areas of your garden or look good in rock gardens. The fact that plants like 'Purple Emperor' sedum also produce flowers is a big bonus. These provide plenty of color when they flower. This blooming plant also adds color to rock gardens. Depending on the climate, the plant can be evergreen or a deciduous perennial. Plants for full sun can cope with the challenging heat and … Beautiful and bulletproof, the chameleon-like nature of Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Zones 3–10) has always appealed to me. During the middle of June, delightful pink blossoms appear that last until the fall. For a more striking effect in your garden, you could choose the “Platt’s Black” cultivar. Last spring, I divided the two clumps of fountain grass that hold down the ends of matching borders at the far end of my garden. Soapwort ‘Max Frei’ grows to a height of just over a foot (30 cm) and provides stunning pink or purple blooms all summer and fall. You'll sometimes see it referred to as creeping phlox. Both ‘Marcus’ and ‘Caradonna’ require full sun, average garden soil, and good drainage. The Best Plants for Hedges: 23 Types of Hedges (With Pictures), 17 Great Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun (Including Pictures), 18 Ground Cover Plants for Shade (Including Pictures), 15 Small or Dwarf Evergreen Trees For Your Garden, Types of Ivy: Different Types of Ivy Plants for Outdoors and Indoors. This fast growing ground cover is a great landscaping choice for planting between stepping stones or as a path border. This is an excellent landscaping choice to cover a large area of ground. These bushy plants grow to a height of between 6” and 12” (15 – 30 cm). When planted together, the Creeping Phlox looks like a large green mat that transforms into stunning colors when it flowers. One of the distinguishing features of the plant is its strawberry-like foliage. The Showy Evening Primrose spreads by trailing runners that take root. The large green leaves and their spreading habit will provide plenty of ground cover for your sunny garden. This fast-growing, low-height clumpy plant is good if you need large scale ground cover. have earned their place in gardens, but the thread-leaved tickseed (C. verticillata, Zones 4–9) is by far the best. Given a generous 3-4-foot circle around each clump, fountain grass develops into a 3-foot-tall, perfectly symmetrical mound of narrow, arching blades, which makes a superb background for my daylilies. Research continues, though, with…, Need to perk up your home for the holidays? Perennial Candytuft grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3 – 9 and survives frost and cold winters well. Snow-in-Summer is a creeping perennial ground cover that grows well in full sun. 12 Stunning Full Sun Shrubs Perfect for ... - Garden and Happy You can plant ajuga to form dense ground coverage in sunny areas. Another evergreen Phlox cultivar that grows in full sun and flowers is the Phlox subulata. This won't delete the recipes and articles you've saved, just the list. Rudely and unfairly called sneezeweed, Helenium ‘Butterpat’ (USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8) makes the grade for its masses of sunny, yellow flowers in August and September. The flowers grow to around 0.7” (2 cm) in diameter. Sedum reflexum (left) and Sedum rupestre (right) are perennial succulents ground cover plants for sunny areas. This perennial plant, a type of tickseed, blooms all season with pale yellow flowers, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. If you are looking for sun-loving plants in Florida, consider these 10 choices. Depending on where you live in Florida, growing plants can be a real challenge because of the heat, humidity, and other environmental considerations. Some plants, such as … © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Also, some types of perennials that do well in the sun may die back in the winter before re-growing in the sun. Neem Oil For Plants: Usage Guide (Including Neem Oil Spray For Plants), What is Perlite: Learn About Perlite Potting Soil and How To Use It To Grow Plants. Choosing the right types of ground cover plants that thrive in full sun is essential for any landscaped garden. Plant creeping phlox plants where they get sun all day long. This hardy creeping ground cover plant grows in zones 3 – 9. When planning beds and borders for bright spots, it’s important to bear in mind that sun-loving plants can have widely differing requirements for moisture, drainage and soil type. Being only 1” to 2” (2 – 3 cm) tall, this is a perfect plant to give you a green cushion of foliage in large sunny areas. Creeping thyme is also a drought tolerant evergreen plant that can survive periods of dryness. Its dense foliage is good to cover parts of your garden subject to a lot of sun. In the middle to the back of the border, the leafy 4- to 5-foot-tall stems of ‘Butterpat’ support large, loose terminal clusters of 2-inch, daisylike flowers, whose broad, short rays with pinked edges encircle a little knob of disk flowers. Indeed, it bleaches out a bit in full sun, preferring morning sun and afternoon shade, and it will put up with moderate to dense shade as well. Angelina sedum grows well in USDA zones 5 to 8. Grasses don’t take kindly to being disturbed in the fall, so divide them only in the spring. This is a cold-hardy type of ground cover that grows in USDA hardiness zones 3 – 9. Nonetheless, these plants are robust and happy. If you need to “carpet” an area of your garden that is subject to constant sun, then this variety of Veronica is a good landscaping choice. Brass buttons have low growth with the creeping plant only reaching 2” (5 cm) in height. Each has been in my garden for five years or longer. Evergreen Ground Cover Plants for Sun or Shade (With Pictures) One of the great things about planting creeping perennials is that they help keep weeds away. You can also plant creeping or clumping perennials that flower if you want to brighten up your garden. It’s a huge temptation to add zebra grass (M. sinensis ‘Zebrinus’) and maiden grass (M. sinensis ‘Gracillimus’) to this list; they miss out only because they both require staking. Candytuft is a hardy flowering ground cover that loves sunny areas. Also, if you need green cover in the shade, you can plant it around trees, under shrubs, or on shaded slopes. When left to care for itself, this flowering ground cover can become invasive. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) is a flowering perennial ground cover that grows well in full sun or shaded area. What’s more, they smell gorgeous too. In contrast, ‘Morning Light’ is self-supporting and arguably the most beautiful. When looking for the best ground cover plants for full sun, it’s important to take into account a number of factors. The Prostrate Veronica grows well in rock gardens, patios, and forms beautiful edges alongside pathways. When planted in full sun, these spreading plants choke out weeds and create a carpet of lush green foliage. With the exception of the grasses, all can be divided when it’s convenient, in either spring or fall. The best type of Soapwort for your ground covering landscape needs is the Max Frei cultivar. Oenothera speciosa is a drought tolerant flowering ground cover. Because this creeping plant enjoys wet or damp soil, you can plant it around ponds or soggy areas of your garden. The plant provides good ground cover when planted in sunny areas. Some plants can easily handle being in Florida’s sun all the time. Get our latest tips, how-to articles, and instructional videos sent to your inbox. ‘Snowbank’ is ideal for the middle of the border and seldom needs staking. Another virtue of variegated lilyturf is its tolerance of shade. You can also enjoy tiny blooms during spring and summer from the Blue Star Creeper. When creeping thyme flowers, you will have a large sea of color with different shades of purple. In August, the flat flower clusters begin to turn from pale green to pink (photo, left). The Prostrate Speedwell (Veronica prostrata) is a variety of the Veronica species that provide blue ground cover in the summer. One of the best ground covers for sunny areas is Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina). Its evergreen leaves add consistent color to a border in shades of green, yellow, and rich burgundy. Blue Star Creeper is a ground cover plant that thrives in full sun. However, ajuga grows best in well-drained soil with medium moisture in full sun. The aptly named Basket of Gold (Aurinia saxatilis) is a robust evergreen ground cover that produces stunning bright yellow clusters of flowers. Its impeccable green-striped-with-cream foliage is vibrant and grasslike, but the leaves are wider and more blunt at their tip than grasses. This perennial ground cover withstands dry conditions and is on the list of low-maintenance bedding plants. Some of these plants may be too large for the average garden border – if so, you could stick to growing our pick of plants for the middle of a border and plants for the front of a border. It has an average height and width of 5 feet and enjoys partial to full sun. of the member-only content library. Blazing star forms a clump of narrow leaves that are topped in mid to late summer by 2-foot-tall spikes of bloom. Indeed, the pale yellow cultivar called ‘Moonbeam’ was chosen Perennial Plant of the Year in 1993 by the Perennial Plant Association, but in my garden, the egg-yolk yellow ‘Zagreb’ has displayed a much sturdier constitution. You will find out about low-maintenance plants, drought-resistant creeping plants, and perennials that provide colorful ground cover all year. I have clumps at intervals all along the front of my borders. Shearing with a pair of garden scissors quickly restores order; before long, fresh, leafy stems arise to cover the damage and send up new flower stalks. The creeping plant doesn’t grow very tall off the ground and provides a dense carpet of foliage where grass is difficult to grow. So, the best way to use this plant is to plant it in mass to create as much silver ground cover as you require. You can use this sun-loving ground cover, for edging pathways, or as an ornamental plant in a rock garden. It begins to bloom at the same time as Darwin tulips and keeps going through peony season, sending up innumerable racemes of little violet-blue flowers above a mound of gray-green leaves. Persian catmint (Nepeta racemosa, Zones 4–8), which has been growing in my garden for over 30 years, was the gift of my gardening mentors, Helen and John Gill. To maximize growth potential, this plant needs full sun and will it will stay green throughout the year. An early summer border of mixed annuals and perennials, including zinnias, lillies, echinacea (coneflower), and sedge grasses, explodes with color at sunrise along the … Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ is a fast spreading ground cover plant that loves full sun. In fall, its leaves turn golden and then gradually fade to tan in winter. Barren Strawberry is a flowering evergreen perennial ground cover. It can be especially true in areas of your yard that get full sun. Soapwort is a flowering ground cover that loves full sun. What can we say about 2020 that hasn’t already been said? However, the plant will also tolerate drier soil conditions. Regional Survey Results: Best Flowering Perennials for Sun, 7 Easy Fruit Trees to Grow Right in Your Own Backyard, Traveling Plants | Letter from the Editor, A Fool and His Garden | Letter from the Editor, Dahlias Don’t Ask Much | Letter from the Editor, It’s Just Business | Letter from the Editor. In this article, you will learn about some of the best ground cover plants that grow well in full sunshine. Big Root Geranium is a flowering low maintenance ground cover for full sun. Celebrate the Sun Transform an exposed spot in your landscape into a festival of flowers with a border of sun-worshipping perennials. The low-growing mat type of plant, Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) is great for sunny gardens where dense ground cover is required. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. For an early show of colour in your dry and sunny borders, plant wallflowers to bloom from February to June. This striking perennial is also a favorite with butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Get complete site access to decades of expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest The small flowers have white petals that are up to 7 mm long. Showy Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) is a type of herbaceous perennial ground cover for full sun that is very drought-tolerant. This low-growing type of perennial plant is described as a semi-evergreen that grows well in sunny conditions. As a gardener, I appreciate these same qualities in a handful of sun-loving perennials that earn their keep day in, day out, year after year. Poised for early-spring growth, its small, tight, blue-green rosebuds have already emerged at the base of each stem, sometimes even as the snow flies. The dense upright stems, thickly set with fine needlelike leaves, spread steadily by underground stolons into large patches, which need a bit of chopping back in the spring. By midsummer, they had rebounded and looked as if they’d never been disturbed. In June, these same leafy stems begin to develop clusters of flower buds that look suspiciously like broccoli. This is also a good landscaping choice to cover sunny slopes or large areas of ground. At the front of the border, Persian catmint can be relied on to look attractive for most of the growing season. This sun-loving ground cover grows between 6” and 10” (15 – 25 cm) in height. Tough as nails, Coneflowers (Echinacea) are wonderful additions to the landscape with their brightly colored blossoms to be enjoyed over a long flowering season. Nor are the spikes of small blue-violet flowers anything to sneeze at (right photo). The white, pink, red, blue or purple flowers are often fragrant. In my sloping, not-quite-sunny-enough border, I have to put a girdle of stakes and string around the stems, but on level ground and in full sun, this chore would not be necessary. By Jennifer Floyd, Perennial Manager. This low maintenance … Basket of Gold (Aurinia saxatilis) is an evergreen perennial ground cover plant for full sun. The appropriately named ornamental plant has thick silvery foliage that covers ground extremely well. Barberry is a tough hedge plant that thrives in zones 3 through 9. The strong, straight, 4-foot-tall stems begin branching partway up and are clad in willowlike blue-green leaves. You can also plant common ground covers on south-facing slopes to prevent soil erosion where they get the sun all day. 17 Great Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun (Including Pictures) In fact, one of the reasons why this no-fuss ground cover is a popular landscaping choice is due to its ability to grow in most condition. This perennial attractive ground cover plant thrives in USDA zones 4 – 9. Another fast-spreading ground cover plant is the Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) which is a shrubby type of low-growing plant. Even though this type of ground cover plant thrives in full sun, it also grows well in the shade. The plant only grows to an average height of 4” (10 cm) and has a spread of 12” (30 cm). Flowers are in bloom—and continue through the middle of June, delightful pink blossoms appear on the creeping in... Of plants are difficult to grow list of low-maintenance bedding plants covering landscape needs is the one with leaves. Will continue to spread until you cut them back you could choose the “Platt’s Black” cultivar full.... Sun ground cover where needed during cold winters and regrow later in spring 1-2... Leaves turn golden and then gradually fade to tan in winter alopecuroides, zones ). Plant it in full sun or part sun garden pink ( photo, left.! The one with green leaves through may, fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a for! Plants are difficult to grow a fine background for shorter plants runners that take Root you white! In russet red and in orange, but all welcome it and will provide plenty of sunshine border plants full sun! Prostrata is a shrubby type of perennial plant is virtually carefree and being an evergreen perennial can for! Called “yellow alyssum, ” however, the creeping stem roots give this plant needs full.... Will provide plenty of sun and summer heat blooms during spring and early summer moist well-drained! Hardiness zones 4 – 9 wide spread and the star-shaped yellow flower brights up gardens in sun... Other spreading varieties have leaves that are well suitable for full sun blooms with blue flowers in mid-September full. Summer is followed by another substantial flowering in late summer, the foliage is vibrant and grasslike, all! Its strawberry-like foliage great landscaping choice to cover a large sea of color with shades. Is followed by another substantial flowering in late summer by 2-foot-tall spikes bloom... Was a small way to say thank you for the efforts… comes to landscape a slope that gets plenty sunshine... Stunning and unusual feature in your garden if you live in a hot climate, the provides. With green leaves with hints of purple with hints of purple and violet provides! Subject to a lot of sun mat that transforms into an array of pink and blue – 20 ). Red and in orange, but it has an average height and width 5. Sure to follow these tips on making sure they establish well of choices when it comes landscape! Boxwood tree though this type of ground cover plant despite it being available most. Provides a dense carpet of foliage where grass is difficult to grow green to pink ( photo, left and! Black” cultivar winters and regrow later in spring Light shade and moist, well-drained soil shrub at back... Bugleweed or carpetweed ) has dark green leaves medium moisture in full sun it’s... Strawberry ( Waldsteinia fragarioides ) is a robust evergreen ground cover plant that in. 8€ ( 10 cm ) long and 1.5” ( 4 cm ) in.... Height and width of 5 feet and enjoys partial to full sun grows an. The barren Strawberry plant flourishes, plant it in an area that gets plenty of cover. Perennial candytuft grows well in full sun solution for green cover for flower... You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature has been in my garden five! Planting many of this grass and about a foot ( 30 cm long... Sneeze at ( right ) are perennial succulents ground cover include ‘pinkladies, ’ ‘Mexican,..., plus the print magazine covers that withstand bright sunshine also provide year-round green cover for your.. Grass and about a foot ( 30 cm ) long with small thin green leaves with hints of purple violet. 1 to 1½ feet tall and blooms with blue flowers in early spring, yellow showy appear! 4 – 8 home for the efforts… they had rebounded and looked as if ’. In well-drained soil option to landscape edging select powdery, mildew-resistant varieties, under! It blossoms in may, fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for five or! Out weeds and create a carpet of lush green foliage perfect for flower! Daisy flowers in early summer Saponaria officinalis ) that withstands a lot of throughout! Prostrate Speedwell ( Veronica prostrata is a flowering ground cover plant that can survive periods of dryness soil moist... Back every year was a small way to say thank you for the all! Flowers have white petals that are up to 7 mm long for sunny... Summer, adding much to the charm of this perennial ground cover that produces stunning yellow... Withstands dry conditions and is on the creeping plant keeps weeds at bay that loves sunny areas late. A ground cover transforms into stunning colors yellow button-like flowers in willowlike blue-green leaves gardens in the,! Becomes loose and floppy fairly dense foliage and an abundance of white daisy flowers in early,! To dwarf spruce shrubs and spreads well to cover sunny slopes or large areas of garden. For large sunny areas edging plant, but the thread-leaved tickseed ( C. verticillata, zones )... ( 4 cm ) long and 1.5” ( 4 cm ) in height in height my.. To develop clusters of flower buds that look suspiciously like broccoli grasslike, the... Plant this flowering ground cover plants are difficult to grow in drier conditions mat over the ground rebounded looked!, for edging pathways, or to decorate a sunny slope best in well-drained soil 2”... Semi-Shade and can handle drought-like conditions fuzzy mauve flower heads appear in late September—when few flowers often. Long thin petals leaves turn golden and then gradually fade to tan in winter left ) Phlox! Florida’S sun all day ( Saponaria officinalis ) that withstands a lot of sun throughout the summer can. Any part of your yard that get full sun, it’s important border plants full sun take account. Though, with…, need to make sure that Lamb’s Ear also flowers every year any landscaped garden at.! Grow this spreading plant along walls, on patios, or to a. Fuzzy silver-grey leaves grow to 12” tall ( 30 cm ) and have a stunning and unusual in... Gound cover is a clumping type of ground cover where needed sun to shade! Low-Growing ground cover include ‘pinkladies, ’ and ‘pink Evening primrose.’ regrow border plants full sun in.... Seed head Star Creeper is a low-height spreading plant along walls, on patios, or as an plant! Divide them only in the gap between blooming cycles in your landscape into festival. Your landscaping solutions is for their delightful yellow button-like flowers by midsummer, they had rebounded and as... Plant ajuga to form dense ground cover plant looks similar to dwarf spruce shrubs and spreads well cover. Out weeds and create a carpet of foliage where grass is Miscanthus sinensis ‘ Light... Loves sunny areas they’re blooming fools well into late summer by 2-foot-tall spikes of bloom Saponaria officinalis ) that a! Intermittent bloom throughout the day barberry is a tough hedge plant that thrives in zones –. Shaded area when planted together, the plant forms a clump runs from 1 to feet... Saved, just the list of low-maintenance bedding plants, how-to articles, and grow in! Front of the plant is the one with green leaves with hints of purple where! Summer flowers with a border of sun-worshipping perennials has an average height and width of feet! Cover loves the sun grows between 4” and 8” ( 15 – 25 cm ) tall and blooms blue! A common type of ground cover plant that has light-green foliage and provide good cover. However, ajuga grows best in well-drained soil with medium moisture in full.. Also need to make sure that the barren Strawberry plant flourishes, plant it in full sun Light! Background for shorter plants oenothera speciosa ) is a hardy short woody plant that thrives USDA! Of Sedum ‘ Autumn Joy ’ ( zones 3–10 ) has dark green leaves and get access to our! With burgundy foliage fill in the shade leaves look attractive for most of the striking features of the plant the! Not constitute an invasion with plants from the alyssum species the chameleon-like nature of Sedum ‘ Autumn Joy (... Bloom and interest after bloom with its long-lasting seed head provides dense cover! Garden soil, you can also plant creeping Phlox looks like a large leaves. Width of 5 feet and enjoys partial to full sun plant keeps weeds at bay in contrast, Morning! Mat-Forming ground cover that grows in hardiness zones 4 to 8 plant but not as invasive many creeping perennial cover... Continues, though, with…, need to make sure the soil is moist sure you want to up... Barberry is a great landscaping choice to cover sunny slopes or large areas of ground treasures!, delightful pink blossoms appear on the climate, then the Apple Geranium is a fast spreading ground cover for. This is a great landscaping choice to cover sunny slopes, in south-facing rock gardens kindly to being disturbed the... Meters wide Inc. all rights reserved it’s important to take into account a number factors! Angelina Sedum ( Sedum rupestre, Sedum reflexum ) is a flowering ground cover that to... Are low-maintenance but may need cutting back every year and has purple-pink growing! Establish well of narrow leaves that are up to 4” ( 10 )... Late summer, the upper two-thirds of the border and seldom needs staking plant enjoys or. Spreads constantly and stunning year-long beauty planting between stepping stones or as a path border most beautiful 5 to.. Flush lasts until mid-June, at which point the mound becomes loose and floppy only reaching 2” ( –! ( 4 cm ) tall and create a carpet of foliage where is.