With summer in full swing, you're likely spending more time in the garden and welcoming friends and family outdoors. If bare patches are letting the space down, fast-growing ground cover is an easy way to create a fuller, more attractive look in a short time.
As well as improving the appearance of your garden, ground cover helps suppress weeds and retain moisture by reducing evaporation from the soil. Better still, many fast-growing varieties are low maintenance, giving you less work to do and more time to relax and enjoy your outdoor space.
Chris Bonnett, plant expert and founder of Gardening Express, suggests seven ground cover ideas for a range of soils and conditions:
1. Creeping Jenny
This is a popular choice as it not only looks pretty but also offers plenty of practical benefits.
'Creeping Jenny is ideal for creating a fast-growing, dense carpet of lush green and yellow foliage,' says Chris. 'There's very little maintenance required to keep it thriving, as it can tolerate a degree of neglect. It grows well in poor soil, sun or shade, survives cold winters and is also beneficial for pollinators.'
2. Bugleweed
This is quick to establish and easy to look after once it gets going. 'Bugleweed is a hardy alternative to grass, particularly in areas where a traditional lawn may be struggling,' advises Chris. 'Its rich green and purple foliage adds a lovely flush of colour while helping to suppress weeds, all with minimal maintenance.'
3. Periwinkle
This is a much-loved choice for several reasons: 'Periwinkle works particularly well on uneven ground or sloping gardens thanks to its ability to help stabilise soil,' Chris explains. 'Its delicate purple flowers provide visual interest throughout the year, and the plant itself is highly resilient to changing weather conditions.'
4. Sweet Woodruff
If you're looking to cover a bare patch in a shadier spot, this one is ideal. It smells good, too: 'The fragrant scent of sweet woodruff is reason enough to consider it for your garden,' says Chris. 'This attractive ground cover plant also helps support pollinators and is also particularly well suited to shaded areas where grass can struggle to grow – thriving best in rich, slightly acidic soil.'
5. Cranesbill geranium
A reliable option that provides months of colour, with flowers in shades of blue, white, pink and purple.
'Cranesbill geranium will bloom for most of the year, offering pollinators like bees and butterflies a valuable source of nectar,' says Chris. 'Its long flowering period and easy-going nature make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add colour while reducing lawn maintenance.'
6. Lamb's ear
Loved for its velvety leaves, this plant may look soft, but it's actually tough and hardy.
'Lamb's ear is a great choice for gardeners looking to add texture as well as ground cover,' advises Chris. 'Its soft, silvery leaves create a unique look and it thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Once established, it requires very little maintenance and can cope well during dry spells.'
7. Snow-in-summer
In late spring to early summer, this produces masses of white flowers that resemble a blanket of snow. 'Snow-in-summer grows particularly well in sunny areas and poor soils, says Chris. 'It spreads quickly to cover bare patches while requiring very little upkeep.'
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