Low Growing Flowering Plants – Create Stunning Borders And Groundcover

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Hello, fellow garden lover! Do you ever look at the front of your flower beds, the edges of your pathways, or those tricky spots under taller shrubs and think, “Something is missing here”? You’re not alone. We all crave that lush, finished look—a garden that feels complete from the towering sunflowers down to the soil itself.

I promise you, the secret to achieving that professional, “carpet of color” effect is simpler than you think. The solution lies in mastering the art of using low growing flowering plants. They are the unsung heroes that tie the entire garden together, suppress weeds, and provide breathtaking beauty at ground level.

In this complete guide, we’re going to dig deep into everything you need to know. We’ll explore the absolute best varieties for any situation, walk step-by-step through planting and care, troubleshoot common issues, and even touch on how to make your groundcover choices wonderfully eco-friendly. Let’s get started!

The Amazing Benefits of Low Growing Flowering plants

Before we jump into our favorite plants, let’s talk about why these compact powerhouses are such a game-changer for any garden. Understanding the benefits of low growing flowering plants will help you use them with purpose and creativity.

  • Weed Suppression: A dense mat of groundcover plants leaves little room or light for pesky weeds to germinate. This means less time on your knees pulling dandelions and more time enjoying the view!
  • Living Mulch: These plants act as a natural mulch, helping the soil retain moisture, which is a huge plus during hot, dry spells. This also helps regulate soil temperature, protecting plant roots.
  • Erosion Control: On slopes or hillsides, the fibrous roots of low-growing plants are fantastic at holding soil in place, preventing it from washing away during heavy rain.
  • Aesthetic Harmony: They create a soft, beautiful edge along borders, pathways, and patios, seamlessly blending your hardscaping with your garden beds. This “softening” effect is a key principle of professional landscape design.
  • Pollinator Support: Many of these plants produce a profusion of blooms, creating a vital food source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Choosing eco-friendly low growing flowering plants is a wonderful way to support your local ecosystem.

Our Top 10 Low Growing Flowering Plants for Every Garden

Ready for the fun part? Here is a curated list of my absolute favorite low-growing bloomers. I’ve broken them down by their preferred sun exposure to help you find the perfect fit for your specific spot. Don’t worry—these are all fantastic choices, even for beginners!

For Sun-Drenched Spots (6+ hours of direct sun)

1. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

If you want a breathtaking spring show, look no further. Creeping phlox covers itself in a dense blanket of pink, purple, blue, or white flowers. It’s tough, drought-tolerant once established, and perfect for cascading over rock walls.

2. Sedum (Stonecrop)

There are many low-growing varieties like ‘Angelina’ or ‘Dragon’s Blood’. Sedums are incredibly hardy succulents that thrive on neglect. Their foliage provides year-round interest, and their late-season blooms are a magnet for bees.

3. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

This is a true multi-tasker! Not only does it produce a carpet of tiny purple or pink flowers, but it’s also wonderfully fragrant when you step on it. It’s an excellent choice for planting between paving stones.

For Partially Shady Areas (3-6 hours of sun)

4. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) / Bugleweed

Ajuga is prized for its gorgeous foliage, which can range from deep green to rich burgundy-black. In spring, it sends up beautiful spikes of blue or purple flowers. It spreads reliably to fill in bare spots in dappled shade.

5. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

A delicate and charming plant, Sweet Woodruff has whorled, bright green leaves and covers itself in tiny, star-shaped white flowers in late spring. It has a lovely, sweet scent, especially when dried.

6. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

A classic, tough-as-nails groundcover. Periwinkle has glossy, evergreen leaves and produces lovely periwinkle-blue (of course!) flowers. It’s an excellent problem-solver for tricky spots, but be mindful as it can spread aggressively in some areas.

For Shady Corners (Less than 3 hours of sun)

7. Lamium (Lamium maculatum) / Spotted Dead Nettle

Don’t let the name fool you; this plant is a shade garden star. Its silver-variegated foliage brightens up the darkest corners, and it produces lovely snapdragon-like flowers in pink, white, or purple. It’s one of my go-to low growing flowering plants for under trees.

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8. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Known for its intensely fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers, this classic plant is a herald of spring. It forms a lush, dense colony in shady, moist areas. A quick note of caution: all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested, so be careful with pets and small children.

9. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)

For a truly unique and sustainable low growing flowering plants choice, consider this native dogwood groundcover. It features beautiful white bracts in spring, followed by bright red berries in the summer. It prefers acidic, moist soil.

10. Hardy Geranium (Geranium spp.) / Cranesbill

Many varieties of hardy geranium, like ‘Biokovo’ or ‘Rozanne’, form lovely, spreading mounds. They bloom for an incredibly long time and are generally pest and disease-free. They are adaptable and can handle a range of conditions from part-sun to shade.

The Complete Low Growing Flowering Plants Guide: Planting for Success

You’ve picked your plants—now what? Proper planting is the single most important step to ensure your new additions thrive. Follow these low growing flowering plants best practices, and you’ll be set up for a fantastic display.

  1. Prepare the Soil: This is where the magic happens! Clear the area of all weeds, grass, and rocks. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 6-8 inches with a garden fork. If your soil is heavy clay or poor sand, this is the time to amend it. Mix in a few inches of compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and add nutrients.
  2. Determine Spacing: Check the plant tag! It will tell you how far apart to space your plants. It might look sparse at first, but trust me, they will fill in. Proper spacing ensures good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
  3. Dig the Right-Sized Hole: Dig a hole that is roughly twice as wide as the plant’s container and just as deep. You want the roots to have plenty of room to spread out.
  4. Tease the Roots: Gently remove the plant from its pot. If the roots are tightly wound in a circle (a condition called “root-bound”), gently tease them apart with your fingers. This encourages them to grow outward into the new soil instead of continuing to circle.
  5. Plant at the Correct Depth: Place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of its root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Planting too deep is one of the most common mistakes and can lead to rot.
  6. Backfill and Water In: Fill the hole back in with the amended soil, gently firming it around the root ball to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly right after planting to help the soil settle and give the roots a good drink.
  7. Add Mulch: Apply a 1-2 inch layer of mulch (like shredded bark or pine straw) around the new plants, but be careful not to pile it up against their stems. This will help conserve moisture and suppress any initial weeds while your plants get established.

Your Essential Low Growing Flowering Plants Care Guide

The great news is that most groundcover plants are chosen for their low-maintenance nature. However, a little bit of care, especially in the first year, goes a long way. This low growing flowering plants care guide covers the basics.

Watering Wisely

For the first growing season, your new plants will need consistent moisture to establish a strong root system. Water deeply once or twice a week, especially during hot, dry weather. Once established, most are quite drought-tolerant, but they’ll always appreciate a drink during a prolonged drought.

Feeding and Fertilizing

Less is more! Most low-growing perennials don’t need heavy feeding. A top-dressing of compost in the spring is usually all they need. If you do use a fertilizer, a balanced, slow-release granular formula applied in early spring is your best bet.

Pruning and Maintenance

Maintenance is minimal. Some plants, like Creeping Phlox, benefit from a light shearing after they finish blooming to encourage dense growth and prevent them from getting “leggy.” You can also deadhead plants like Hardy Geranium to encourage more flowers, but it’s often not necessary for a good display.

Solving Common Problems with Low Growing Flowering Plants

Even the toughest plants can run into trouble. Here’s how to low growing flowering plants can be managed when issues arise. Don’t worry, these are usually easy to fix!

  • Problem: Plants are not spreading or filling in.
    Solution: This is often a sign of poor soil or not enough water during the establishment phase. It can also happen if the plants are spaced too far apart. Be patient, ensure they are getting adequate water, and consider adding a top-dressing of compost to give them a nutrient boost.
  • Problem: Gaps are being overtaken by weeds.
    Solution: Be vigilant with weeding for the first year or two until the plants form a dense mat. A layer of mulch is your best friend here. Once established, the groundcover will do most of the weeding work for you!
  • Problem: The center of the plant is dying out.
    Solution: This is common with some mat-forming perennials after a few years. It’s a sign that the plant needs to be divided. In the spring or fall, simply dig up the entire clump, discard the dead center portion, and replant the healthy outer sections. You get more plants for free!
  • Problem: Powdery mildew or other fungal issues.
    Solution: This often occurs in damp, shady conditions with poor air circulation. Ensure your plants are properly spaced. If you see it, you can prune some foliage to improve airflow. Avoid watering the leaves; water the soil at the base of the plant instead.
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Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Low Growing Flowering Plants Practices

Your garden can be more than just beautiful—it can be a thriving ecosystem. By making a few conscious choices, you can create a space that is both gorgeous and environmentally friendly.

One of the best low growing flowering plants tips for sustainability is to choose native plants whenever possible. Plants like Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) or Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) are adapted to your local climate and provide essential food and habitat for local wildlife.

Here are a few more ideas for practicing sustainable low growing flowering plants gardening:

  • Avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides. A healthy groundcover will outcompete most weeds naturally.
  • Use compost instead of synthetic fertilizers. It feeds the soil and improves its structure.
  • Choose plants that provide food for pollinators throughout the seasons.
  • Conserve water by choosing drought-tolerant species for sunny, dry areas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Low Growing Flowering Plants

What are the fastest-growing low flowering plants?

If you’re looking for quick coverage, plants like Creeping Thyme, Ajuga, and Periwinkle (Vinca minor) are known for their vigorous spreading habits. Just be sure to give them appropriate space so they don’t overwhelm more delicate neighbors!

Can I walk on low growing flowering plants?

Some are tougher than others! Creeping Thyme and Irish Moss are exceptionally durable and can handle light to moderate foot traffic, making them perfect for planting between stepping stones. Others, like Lamium or Lily of the Valley, are more delicate and should be kept to the edges of pathways.

How do I stop my groundcover from spreading where I don’t want it?

This is a great question! The best defense is a good offense. Installing a physical barrier, like landscape edging, is a very effective way to contain enthusiastic spreaders. You can also simply use a spade or garden knife to trim the edges back once or twice a year to keep them in bounds.

Your Garden’s Beautiful Foundation Awaits

There you have it—everything you need to transform the ground level of your garden from bare soil to a vibrant tapestry of color and texture. Low growing flowering plants are not just filler; they are the essential, hard-working foundation that makes a good garden truly great.

Remember to start by choosing the right plant for the right place, prepare your soil with care, and be a little patient as they grow and fill in. Before you know it, you’ll have a lush, low-maintenance, and beautiful living carpet that will bring you joy for years to come.

Now go on, get those hands dirty. Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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