9 Ground Covers You’ll Never Regret Planting as a Lawn Alternative

Sometimes a landscape calls for something other than traditional turf grass. Whether you're looking for a more environmentally friendly option, need a plant that thrives in shade, or simply want something attractive and low-maintenance, ground covers can be a great alternative. Here, gardening experts share the ground covers they never regret planting.

Meet Our Expert

• Teresa Watkins , Florida landscape designer, horticulturist, and host of the award‑winning Better Lawns and Gardens

• Kathy Jentz,host of GardenDC and author of Groundcover Revolution

Related: 8 Fast-Growing Ground Covers to Plant in Spring for a Lush, Low-Maintenance Garden

01 of 09

Asiatic Jasmine

For sunny yards in warm climates, Asiatic jasmine can be grown as a lovely turf grass alternative. The small leaves are glossy and full of texture, and the plant grows densely to fill in vacant spots in a yard.

"It's a good ground cover for a tiered effect in commercial landscapes and for private gardens," says landscape designer Teresa Watkins. "While it grows rapidly after its third year, it can be kept under control on a monthly basis."

She suggests multiple cultivars of Trachelospermum asiaticum , including Salsa for its green, yellow, and orange leaves, Bronze Beauty for a green and bronze coloring, and Snow in Summer for pink, white, or cream and green leaves.

One possible advantage to using Asiatic jasmine in warm climates—it's ideal for Zones 7 to 11—is that you may be able to maintain a green ground cover year-round, whereas some turf grasses may go dormant during parts of the year.

02 of 09

Hardy Geranium

Part of the enjoyment of ground covers is that you may be able to see a beautiful show of blossoms during part of the year—something you don't get with turf grass.

"Hardy geranium, also known as cranesbill, is a perennial plant," says ground cover expert Kathy Jentz. "It's not to be confused with the zonal geranium, which is an annual plant with a tall flower spike." She recommends the hardy geranium as an easy-to-grow option.

"It has an exceptionally long blooming period, and you can shear off the first flowers to encourage re-blooming throughout the summer into fall," she adds, noting that the flowers attract butterflies and bees to the yard as well. "Even when not in bloom, the foliage is fragrant, and it is fairly evergreen in our planting zone." Like their popular zonal cousin, hardy geraniums ( Geranium ) are also deer-resistant.

Related: The Secret to Keeping Your Geraniums Healthy This Winter, According to Experts

03 of 09

Barrenworts

For a beautiful ground cover that can adapt to a variety of zones, consider barrenworts ( Epimedium sp.), also known as bishop's hat or fairy wings.

"This charming plant has become a favorite of plant collectors, and once you add it to your garden, I bet you can't stop at just one!" says Jentz. She recommends the plant for its evergreen foliage that typically grows about a foot tall, with delicate-looking, elongated leaves on wiry, branching stems.

The plant spreads slowly, so you don't have to worry about it taking over your garden. "On the deciduous varieties, the old leaves should be cut back to make way for the new growth in spring," says Jentz. "The new leaves often have a red tinge to them as they emerge and can age in autumn to lovely rusty tones. Epimediums need little care."

04 of 09

Brunnera

Your immediate goal in choosing a ground cover may be to fill in areas where the turf grass is lacking. However, remember that you can choose ground covers that are a visual delight of their own accord— Brunnera macrophylla is one of these.

"It's also known as the false forget-me-not due to its dainty blue flower sprays in springtime," says Jentz. "But the real reason you want this plant in your garden is that it is a perennial workhorse with many positive attributes." Its leaf texture makes it deer- and rabbit-resistant.

"It is not a native plant to the mid-Atlantic, but it is well-behaved and expands in a clump that can be divided and moved about every few years," she adds. "The only maintenance needed is a fresh application of organic mulch in early spring and to cut back the spent flowers—unless you want the plant to seed about a bit."

05 of 09

Powderpuff Mimosa

"Powderpuff mimosa's flowers are fairy-like pink fuzz balls," says Watkins. "These sturdy native wildflower leaves are very sensitive and fold up when touched, but don't let that hold you back from planting it." Powderpuff mimosa ( Mimosa strigillosa) is native to the Gulf Coast and southern U.S. and shouldn't be confused with other mimosa species, some of which are invasive.

She recommends it as a butterfly and pollinator attractor, and notes that this warm-climate perennial can grow to heights of 6 to 9 inches. "It's rare to find a floral native that has prolific blooms that will brighten up any yard, acreage, or meadow," she says.

06 of 09

Creeping Thyme

Well-loved for its low-maintenance nature and it's beautiful colors, creeping thyme is an easy-to-grow turf grass alternative that isn't fussy about soil conditions. Thymus vulgaris produces many different, tiny flowers and adds visual interest to a lawn. It doesn't require mowing, which is a plus for many homeowners.

Related: How to Grow and Care for Creeping Thyme

07 of 09

Daylilies

While potentially taller than other ground covers, daylilies can fill vacant spaces well and can tolerate some shade, though they typically flower best with plenty of sun. Consider using Hemerocallis as an accent in part of a larger landscape.

The blooms are an added bonus, but the long, thin leaves are beautiful too. Many cultivated daylilies form gradually expanding clumps, and they're easy to divide when they become crowded—or when you want to share them with other gardeners. One caveat: Some daylilies, particularly Hemerocallis fulva , can spread aggressively, so choose a well-behaved cultivar if you want a ground cover that stays manageable.

08 of 09

Marlberry

Another warm-climate (Zones 6 to 10) option is marlberry ( Ardisia japonica ). It's a low-growing, thick, and dense ground cover that even produces tiny decorative berries.

"For shaded areas, marlberry Chirimen ( Ardisia japonica 'Chirimen' ) is one of my favorite woodland ground covers," says Watkins. "Chirimen has the charm of a miniature oak sapling, with textured and sculptural foliage even at a small scale." She notes that in spring, this ground cover produces delicate, whitish‑pink flowers that dangle beneath the leaves. They're reminiscent of tiny bells.

"By fall, those blossoms mature into glossy red berries that glow against the evergreen foliage," she says. "It's an irresistible plant for any forest‑themed garden—beautiful, dependable, and full of character. I absolutely love it."

09 of 09

Microclover

While Dutch clover is more commonly known, the smaller microclover ( Trifolium repens ) makes an outstanding choice as a turf grass alternative. It's hardy to Zone 2 and reaches only 6 inches tall, and it's valuable for controlling erosion and converting nitrogen in the soil.

It's fairly low-maintenance and doesn't require mowing. Keep in mind that it's considered to be an aggressive spreader, but it's not invasive.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart