Plants for Ground Cover
At Thompson's we have a great selection of Plants for Ground Cover. These plants are naturally low-growing and will form attractive mounds or carpets that can quickly cover the ground or bare soil. Ground cover plants are often low-maintenance as well as evergreen, so you get year round interest. Fantastic for filling in gaps in your borders or around the bases of larger shrubs. Below are a few of our more popular recommended varieties, for our full range please visit your local branch.
Shop with confidence, our hardy plants are all covered under our 3-year plant guarantee.
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Why Choose Ground Cover Plants?
Ground cover plants are a gardener’s best friend when it comes to adding beauty and practicality to your outdoor space. These low-growing heroes are perfect for softening the edges of borders, suppressing weeds, and protecting your soil from erosion. Whether you're looking to brighten a shady corner, create a lush carpet beneath trees, or simply fill bare spots with year-round foliage, ground cover plants offer endless possibilities. Plus, many are evergreen or semi-evergreen, providing structure and colour even in the colder months.
At Thompson’s, we carefully select varieties that not only look great but are tough enough to thrive in UK gardens. Whether you prefer leafy textures or vibrant flowers, our range has something for every corner of your garden.
Top 3 Plants for Ground Cover
Here are a few of our top recommendations to get you started:
- Euonymus: Hardy and evergreen with glossy, variegated leaves. Ideal for borders, slopes, and shady spots. Varieties like ‘Emerald Gaiety’ or ‘Silver Queen’ also climb if left unpruned.
- Heuchera: Colourful foliage in shades of purple, peach, and lime. Adds texture and contrast to beds and borders. Thrives in partial shade and pairs well with other perennials.
- Vinca: Fast-growing and evergreen, with glossy leaves and purple, blue, or white flowers. Perfect for tough areas like dry shade or slopes. Low-maintenance and weed-suppressing.
Need Some Help Planting Your Plants for Ground Cover
Whether you're planting your Vinca minor Alba, Pachysandra terminalis Variegata or Euphorbia amy. ssp. Robbiae, by following a few simple steps, you'll be giving your plants the best possible start to life in your garden.
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Dig the hole a little deeper than the size of the container and twice as wide.
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Loosen the soil in the hole so that it is crumbly.
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Mix a small amount of good-quality multipurpose compost into the hole.
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Remove the plant from the pot and gently tease out a few of the roots.
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Place your plant in the hole making sure you don't bury the stem.
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Refill the hole with a mixture of soil and multipurpose compost.
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Firm the soil around the plant, making sure you don't press down on the root ball.
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Water well, and keep well watered in the first season whilst it establishes itself.
If you need any other assistance with your garden plants, then please get in touch. Our experts are always on hand to answer your questions. Mail us at [email protected].