Weeds are a persistent challenge for gardeners and farmers, impacting both crop yields and natural ecosystems. They cause an estimated $11 billion in annual losses to U.S. agriculture alone.1
These unwanted plants compete fiercely with crops for essential resources like water, nutrients, and sunlight, often reducing yields.
If you’re tired of battling weeds in your garden, it’s time to enlist some floral allies! Here are 15 flowering shrubs that not only add beauty to your landscape but also act as nature’s weed suppressors.
By creating dense ground cover and outcompeting unwanted plants, these shrubs can help you reclaim your garden from invasive weeds.
1. Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox is a low-growing perennial that forms a dense mat of colorful blooms in spring. Its evergreen foliage spreads quickly, smothering weeds in its path while providing a cascade of pink, purple, or white flowers.
Planting guide:
- Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil
- Space plants 12 inches apart
- Water regularly until established
- Trim after flowering to maintain shape
2. Hardy Plumbago
Hardy plumbago is a versatile groundcover that produces striking blue flowers from late summer to fall. Its spreading habit and dense foliage effectively crowd out weeds, while its red autumn foliage adds seasonal interest.
Planting guide:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Provide well-draining soil
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Water deeply but infrequently once established
3. Gro-Low Sumac
Gro-Low Sumac is a tough, spreading shrub that excels at covering large areas and steep slopes. Its glossy green leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red in fall, while its low-growing habit naturally suppresses weeds.
Planting guide:
- Select a site with full sun to partial shade
- Tolerates various soil types, including clay
- Plant 6-8 feet apart for coverage
- Prune in early spring if needed
4. Candytuft
Candytuft is a charming evergreen subshrub that produces a profusion of white flowers in spring. Its dense, spreading growth habit makes it an excellent weed suppressor in sunny border areas.
Planting guide:
- Choose a full-sun location
- Ensure well-draining, slightly alkaline soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Shear back by 1/3 after flowering to maintain shape
5. Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant, drought-tolerant shrub that naturally deters weeds with its dense growth. Its aromatic purple flowers attract pollinators while its silvery foliage adds year-round interest to the garden.
Planting guide:
- Plant in full sun
- Provide excellent drainage
- Space 2-3 feet apart
- Prune in early spring to promote bushiness
6. Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a fast-spreading groundcover that quickly forms a dense mat, effectively choking out weeds. Its attractive foliage comes in various colors, and it produces spikes of blue flowers in spring.
Planting guide:
- Suitable for sun to partial shade
- Tolerates a wide range of soil types
- Plant 12 inches apart
- Divide every 3-4 years to control spread
7. Stonecrop
Stonecrop is a diverse group of succulents that thrive in poor soil and full sun. Their low-growing, spreading habit makes them excellent for suppressing weeds in rock gardens and dry areas.
Planting guide:
- Choose a sunny, well-draining location
- Space 6-12 inches apart, depending on variety
- Water sparingly once established
- Trim back in early spring if needed
8. Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s Mantle is a charming perennial with scalloped leaves that hold water droplets like jewels. Its low-growing habit and dense foliage effectively suppress weeds while adding a touch of elegance to shady areas.
Planting guide:
- Plant in partial to full shade
- Provide rich, moist soil
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Deadhead to prevent self-seeding
9. Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a popular evergreen groundcover that thrives in shady areas. Its dense, spreading growth habit makes it an excellent choice for suppressing weeds under trees and in woodland gardens.
Planting guide:
- Plant in partial to full shade
- Ensure rich, well-draining soil
- Space 6-12 inches apart
- Water regularly until established
10. Mexican Marigold
Mexican Marigold is a drought-tolerant shrub that produces masses of yellow flowers from summer to fall. Its dense growth and natural pest-repelling properties make it an excellent choice for weed suppression in sunny areas.
Planting guide:
- Choose a full-sun location
- Provide well-draining soil
- Space 3-4 feet apart
- Prune in late winter to maintain shape
11. Woolly Thyme
Woolly Thyme is a low-growing, aromatic herb that forms a dense mat of soft, fuzzy leaves. Its ability to thrive in poor soil and withstand foot traffic makes it an excellent weed-suppressing ground cover for sunny areas.
Planting guide:
- Plant in full sun
- Ensure excellent drainage
- Space 6-12 inches apart
- Trim lightly after flowering to maintain shape
12. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff is a fragrant, shade-loving groundcover that spreads quickly to form a dense carpet. Its ability to thrive in difficult conditions makes it an excellent choice for suppressing weeds in woodland gardens.
Planting guide:
- Plant in partial to full shade
- Provide rich, moist soil
- Space 12 inches apart
- Contain spread by planting in bordered areas
13. Azalea
Azalea is a popular flowering shrub that comes in a wide range of sizes and colors. Low-growing varieties can be effective at suppressing weeds while adding vibrant spring color to partially shaded areas.
Planting guide:
- Choose a location with dappled shade
- Ensure acidic, well-draining soil
- Space according to mature size (varies by variety)
- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
14. Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is a soft, woolly-leaved perennial that forms a dense mat of silvery foliage. Its low-growing habit and ability to spread make it an excellent choice for suppressing weeds in sunny, dry areas.
Planting guide:
- Plant in full sun
- Provide well-draining soil
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Remove flower stalks to encourage denser growth
15. Trailing Lantana
Trailing Lantana is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant shrub that produces a profusion of purple flowers. Its spreading habit and dense growth make it an excellent choice for suppressing weeds in large, sunny areas.
Planting guide:
- Choose a full-sun location
- Ensure well-draining soil
- Space 3-4 feet apart
- Prune heavily every other spring to rejuvenate
These 15 flowering shrubs offer a beautiful and practical solution to weed control in your garden. By incorporating these plants into your landscape, you can reduce the time and effort spent on weed management while enhancing the visual appeal of your outdoor space.
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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.