In any garden, unwanted weeds can be a real headache. They not only make your garden look messy but can also steal water and nutrients from your favorite plants. However, there is good news.

Researchers found that certain ground covers are effective at keeping weeds away. The special plants conducted in this study can create a beautiful and healthy outdoor space without the hassle of constantly pulling weeds or using herbicides.¹

1. Spineless Acanea (Acaena inermis)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - spineless acanea ss2253573717 — Image Credit: Vanstupai/Shutterstock

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10

This ground cover has soft, fern-like foliage that forms a beautiful carpet underfoot. In late spring and summer, it brings forth tiny, fluffy seed heads that create a delightful visual interest.

Spineless Acanea loves well-drained soil and partial to full sun, making it perfect for a variety of garden spots. To keep unwanted weeds from taking over, try to maintain regular watering; this helps the plant establish a strong root system that can compete against weeds.

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2. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - creeping thyme dp205318572 — Image Credit: Ruvo233/Deposit Photos

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Creeping Thyme is a lovely low-growing perennial that not only looks beautiful but also fills the air with a delightful scent, especially when you walk on it. It blooms in late spring and attracts bees, making it a wonderful addition to any garden.

It prefers sunny spots and well-drained soil and thrives best when planted in a warm, dry area. To manage weeds, you can spread a layer of gravel around the plants, which will help prevent weed growth while adding a nice decorative touch.

3. Mother of Thyme (Thymus praecox)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - plant creeping thyme ss2480329779 — Image Credit: Helen Pitt/Shutterstock

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8

This climbing, woody-based perennial forms a soft carpet of tiny leaves, which are adorned with delicate pink or purple flowers in the summer. It thrives in sunny areas and is perfect for stepping stones or in rock gardens.

Keep those pesky weeds away by trimming back the Creeping Thyme after flowering; this encourages denser growth and makes it harder for weeds to take root.

4. Creeping Wire Vine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - creeping wire vine ss2504826915 — Image Credit: Asif Mohd/Shutterstock

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9

This perennial ground cover has small, round leaves and slender stems that twist and turn as they grow, making it an interesting addition to your landscape. It’s hardy and can tolerate various soil types, flourishing in both sun and partial shade.

To keep weeds in check, try to plant Creeping Wire Vine in a dense formation; this will help it fill in the space and outcompete any unwanted plants.

5. Pink Knotweed (Persicaria capitata)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - pink knotweed ss2243198513 — Image Credit: Reallyice/Shutterstock

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11

If you notice clusters of tiny pink flowers dotting the ground, it may be Pink Knotweed. It’s a lovely ground cover that spreads quickly, creating a colorful carpet of soft green leaves and charming pink blooms in summer.

Pink Knotweed enjoys sunny to partially shaded areas and can thrive in various soil types. To prevent weeds from taking hold, be sure to water your Pink Knotweed regularly; a well-hydrated plant will grow stronger and fill the space, making it harder for weeds to grow.

6. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - periwinkle dp333156518 — Image Credit: weha/Deposit Photos

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Periwinkle is a perennial ground cover with glossy leaves that stay green all year long. Its star-shaped flowers bloom in shades of blue or purple. Periwinkle thrives in shady areas, making it perfect for under trees or in low-light gardens.

To help prevent weeds from sprouting, you can lay down a thick layer of mulch around the plants; this will keep the soil moist and block sunlight from reaching weed seeds.

7. Box Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - — Image Credit: mizy/Shutterstock

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9

Box Honeysuckle is an evergreen perennial shrub with small, rounded leaves that stay lush throughout the year and can produce tiny, fragrant flowers in spring.

It’s a versatile plant that can be used for borders, hedges, or as a ground cover in shady areas.

Box Honeysuckle prefers well-drained soil and can handle a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. To control weeds, regular pruning will keep your Box Honeysuckle healthy and encourage dense growth, which helps to smother unwanted plants.

8. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - bugleweeds dp77060693 — Image Credit: rootstocks/Deposit Photos

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-10

With a vibrant spread of deep green leaves topped with spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers, Bugleweed makes a wonderful ground cover that thrives in shady areas. It forms a lush carpet that blooms in spring and early summer.

Bugleweed not only looks beautiful but is also great at preventing weeds by creating a dense mat. To keep those pesky weeds at bay, make sure to water it regularly to help establish a strong root system that can compete effectively.

9. Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - spotted deadnettle ss2162714095 — Image Credit: Lubos Chlubny/Shutterstock

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8

Spotted Deadnettle is a lovely perennial ground cover that has striking silver and green leaves that add color even when it’s not blooming. In spring, it produces lovely clusters of pink or white flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

Spotted Deadnettle grows well in moist, well-drained soil and can thrive in partial to full shade. To help combat weeds, add mulch around the plants which will keep the soil moist and prevent unwanted plants from sprouting.

10. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - creeping phlox flowers dp476397590 — Image Credit: thefutureis/Deposit Photos

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9

This low-growing perennial features tiny, needle-like leaves and bursts of pink, purple, or white flowers that brighten up any garden. It thrives in sunny spots and is excellent for covering rocky areas or slopes.

To prevent weeds from sprouting, make sure to water your Creeping Phlox well during dry spells, as healthy plants will crowd out unwanted growth.

11. Bearberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - bearberry cotoneaster ss2074770868 — Image Credit: Havoc/Shutterstock

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8

The Bearberry Cotoneaster is a low-growing shrub that offers a lovely display with its small, dark green leaves and red berries that appear in the fall. It grows well in sunny to partially shaded areas and is great for erosion control on slopes.

Suppress the weeds by making sure to water it regularly, especially during dry spells. A healthy Bearberry Cotoneaster plant will spread and fill in the space, leaving little room for unwanted weeds.

12. Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)

These 12 Ground Covers Combat Unwanted Weeds So You Don’t Have To - japanese spurge dp480557748 — Image Credit: Wirestock/Deposit Photos

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Japanese Spurge quietly thrives in a shady nook of your garden. This evergreen ground cover has shiny, dark green leaves that create a lush carpet all year round. In spring, it produces small white flowers that are pretty and attract pollinators.

Japanese Spurge prefers well-drained, moist soil and can handle full shade to partial sun. Consider applying a layer of mulch to combat weeds; this will help retain moisture while preventing weed seeds from sprouting.

So, if you want a garden that thrives and looks great, consider adding these amazing ground covers. With them, you can relax and enjoy your garden without the stress of unwanted weeds!

Source:

New Zealand Plant Protection

Nancy Maffia

Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.