10 Perennial Ground Covers for Sunny Areas

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10 Perennial Ground Covers for Sunny Areas

Finding the perfect ground cover for your sunny garden can be challenging. If you’re looking for an easy-care, low-maintenance option that will add beauty and texture to your landscape, consider perennial ground covers. These plants are often drought-tolerant and come in a wide variety of colors and textures. In this article, we’ll share 10 of our favorite perennial ground covers for sunny areas, so you can find the perfect fit for your garden.

Features and Benefits:

• Sedum is incredibly durable and hardy, so it can withstand extreme temperatures and harsh conditions.
• It requires minimal water and care.
• Sedum comes in many varieties with different colors, shapes, and textures.

How to Grow Sedum as a Ground Cover:

• Sedums prefer well-draining soil.
• Plant them in full sun or light shade.
• They are easy to propagate by division or stem cuttings.

Best Varieties of Sedum for Full Sun:

• Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
• Sedum ternatum
• Sedum reflexum

Features and Benefits:

• Creeping Jenny has bright yellow-green foliage that looks great all year round.
• It grows quickly and can fill in bare spaces between other plants.
• Creeping Jenny is very easy to grow and maintain.

How to Grow Creeping Jenny as a Ground Cover:

• Creeping Jenny prefers moist soil but can tolerate dry conditions.
• It thrives in full sun to light shade.
• You can propagate Creeping Jenny through division or stem cuttings.

Best Varieties of Creeping Jenny for Full Sun:

• Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'
• Lysimachia nummularia 'Goldilocks'
• Lysimachia nummularia 'Green Money'

Features and Benefits:

• Thyme has fragrant foliage and pretty flowers that attract pollinators.
• It is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
• Thyme is easy to grow and propagate.

How to Grow Thyme as a Ground Cover:

• Thyme prefers well-draining soil.
• Plant it in full sun.
• You can propagate Thyme by stem cuttings.

Best Varieties of Thyme for Full Sun:

• Thymus 'Doone Valley'
• Thymus serphyllum
• Thymus coccineus

Features and Benefits:

• Creeping Phlox has beautiful, colorful flowers that bloom in the spring.
• It is easy to grow and maintain.
• Creeping Phlox spreads quickly to fill in large spaces.

How to Grow Creeping Phlox as a Ground Cover:

• Creeping Phlox prefers well-drained soil.
• Plant it in full sun.
• You can propagate Creeping Phlox by division, stem cuttings, or layering.

Best Varieties of Creeping Phlox for Full Sun:

• Phlox subulata 'Crimson Beauty'
• Phlox subulata 'Emerald Cushion Blue'
• Phlox subulata 'Drummond's Pink'

Features and Benefits:

• Ajuga has attractive foliage in shades of green, burgundy, and bronze.
• It spreads quickly to form a dense mat of ground cover.
• Ajuga is low-maintenance and can tolerate different types of soil.

How to Grow Ajuga as a Ground Cover:

• Ajuga prefers moist soil.
• Plant it in full sun to light shade.
• You can propagate Ajuga by dividing the clumps.

Best Varieties of Ajuga for Full Sun:

• Ajuga reptans 'Bronze Beauty'
• Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip'
• Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop'

Features and Benefits:

• Blue Star Creeper has small, delicate leaves and pretty blue flowers.
• It forms a dense mat of ground cover that suppresses weeds.
• Blue Star Creeper is low-maintenance and grows well in many types of soil.

How to Grow Blue Star Creeper as a Ground Cover:

• Blue Star Creeper prefers moist soil.
• Plant it in full sun to light shade.
• You can propagate Blue Star Creeper by division or stem cuttings.

Best Varieties of Blue Star Creeper for Full Sun:

• Isotoma fluviatilis 'Blue Foot'
• Isotoma fluviatilis 'Alba'
• Isotoma fluviatilis 'Golden Star'

Features and Benefits:

• Periwinkle has glossy green leaves and pretty blue, purple, or white flowers.
• It spreads quickly to form a dense mat of ground cover.
• Periwinkle is low-maintenance and can grow in difficult areas.

How to Grow Periwinkle as a Ground Cover:

• Periwinkle prefers moist soil but can tolerate dry conditions.
• Plant it in full sun to light shade.
• You can propagate Periwinkle by layering or stem cuttings.

Best Varieties of Periwinkle for Full Sun:

• Vinca minor 'Illumination'
• Vinca minor 'Atropurpurea'
• Vinca minor 'Bowles's Variety'

Features and Benefits:

• Lamb's Ear has soft, fuzzy leaves that feel great to touch.
• It forms a dense mat of ground cover that looks great all year round.
• Lamb's Ear is low-maintenance and can tolerate different types of soil.

How to Grow Lamb's Ear as a Ground Cover:

• Lamb's Ear prefers well-drained soil.
• Plant it in full sun to light shade.
• You can propagate Lamb's Ear by division or stem cuttings.

Best Varieties of Lamb's Ear for Full Sun:

• Stachys byzantina 'Helen Von Stein'
• Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears'
• Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet'

Features and Benefits:

• Ice Plant has succulent leaves and vibrant flowers that bloom in the summer.
• It is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
• Ice Plant grows well in sandy or gravelly soil.

How to Grow Ice Plant as a Ground Cover:

• Ice Plant prefers well-drained soil.
• Plant it in full sun.
• You can propagate Ice Plant by division or stem cuttings.

Best Varieties of Ice Plant for Full Sun:

• Delosperma cooperi
• Delosperma 'Fire Spinner'
• Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Topaz'

Features and Benefits:

• Russian Sage has gray-green foliage and pretty purple flowers that attract pollinators.
• It grows tall and can add height to your garden.
• Russian Sage is low-maintenance and can tolerate dry conditions.

How to Grow Russian Sage as a Ground Cover:

• Russian Sage prefers well-drained soil.
• Plant it in full sun.
• You can propagate Russian Sage by stem cuttings.

Best Varieties of Russian Sage for Full Sun:

• Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Little Spire'
• Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Jean Baby'
• Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Denim 'n Lace'

Whatever your style, space, or soil type, there is a perfect ground cover out there for you that will thrive in sunny conditions. There are many options available out there; explore different kinds of varieties and plant combinations to see what works best for your garden. These 10 plants are some of the most popular and easiest to grow, but there are many others out there worth trying. With the right care and attention, you can create a beautiful, sustainable landscape that will thrive with minimal maintenance requirements.

So, now that you know more about perennial ground covers for sunny areas, it's time to get started with your own gardening projects! Happy planting.

1. What are the best ground covers for full sun?

The best ground covers for full sun include Sedum, Creeping Jenny, Thyme, Creeping Phlox, Ajuga, Blue Star Creeper, Periwinkle, Lamb's Ear, Ice Plant, and Russian Sage.

2. Are there any drought-tolerant ground cover options?

Yes, many ground covers are drought-tolerant, including Sedum, Thyme, Ice Plant, and Russian Sage.

3. How do I choose the right ground cover for my sunny garden?

Consider factors such as soil type, moisture level, sunlight exposure, and desired aesthetic. Do some research on the various types of ground covers available and select those that fit your criteria.

4. Do perennial ground covers require a lot of maintenance?

No, many perennial ground covers are low-maintenance and require little care once established.

5. Can I plant ground covers on steep slopes or hildes?

Yes, ground covers can be effective for erosion control on steep slopes or hildes.

6. What is the difference between creeping phlox and creeping thyme?

Creeping phlox has colorful flowers that bloom in the spring, while creeping thyme has fragrant foliage and flowers that attract pollinators.

7. Can I plant different types of ground covers together?

Yes, you can plant different types of ground covers together for a more dynamic look.

8. What is the best way to propagate ground covers?

Ground covers can be propagated in various ways such as division, stem cuttings, and layering.

9. Should I use mulch with my ground cover plants?

Mulch can help keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing around the ground cover. Just make sure not to cover the plants' foliage entirely as this could cause rot.

10. How often should I water my ground cover plants?

Ground covers have varying moisture requirements, but generally, they require less frequent watering than other plants. Check the top 1-2 inches of soil and water when it feels dry to the touch.