What Are The Best Ground Cover Plants?

Question

I have a large area of rough ground that was covered in nettles and other weeds. I have sprayed it twice to start with a blank canvas. I want recommendations for ground covering plants that a)grow quickly and b)are wildlife friendly. A variation would be good! Thanks.

Answer 1

Try creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), which spreads fast into a dense mat within a season, attracting bees and butterflies with its purple flowers while offering drought-resistant cover. White clover (Trifolium repens) grows quickly too, covering ground in months with white blooms that bees love, plus it enriches soil with nitrogen—perfect for poor spots and staying green year-round. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) races across with runners, its blue-purple spikes drawing pollinators and dense foliage sheltering small creatures, thriving in sun or shade with colorful leaves. Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) spreads via runners, offering berries for birds and flowers for pollinators, ideal for partial shade with an edible twist. Lastly, sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) spreads steadily, its white flowers and fragrant shade-loving foliage adding a delicate touch for insects. Prep the soil with compost, plant 12-18 inches apart, water until established, and mix in native wildflowers like black-eyed Susans for extra height—most will outcompete weeds once settled.

This article can help with more recommendations:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/zone-9-ground-covers.htm