Flowering Thyme
getty images2Alyssum
getty imagesWhite alyssum is a great way to fill in the areas of your garden that aren't already populated by plants and flowers.
It's heat and drought tolerant, making it an obvious choice for different climates.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 7-11
3Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'
getty imagesThis hardy plant's flowers are a lovely red color—hence the name "Dragon's Blood."
"It really does provide year-round interest," says Nolan. "Even when there's some snow, you might be able to see the little rosettes. It's just a really pretty option in any season."
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 3-9
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4Delosperma ("Ice Plant")
getty imagesThis low-growing plant features succulent, spreading leaves, and striking flowers that open in the sunshine and close when it's shadier.
"'Firespinner' is one of the lovelier varieties," says Nolan. "It's this really beautiful blend of orange, fuschia, and white colors."
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9
5Black Mondo Grass
getty imagesBlack foliage might not be your first choice, but when you see how beautiful this grass is, you might change your mind.
"If you plant a lime green foliage around it, that not only makes the black grass pop; the green foliage also looks even brighter," says Nolan. "It's also an evergreen perennial, which means it'll have visual interest in the winter as well."
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 6-10
6Hens and Chicks
Jacky Parker Photography//Getty ImagesThe Latin name, sempervivum means "live forever," which should give you a sense of how these tough, drought-resistant plants hold up.
Their common name refers to the way the hen-like plant grows tiny rosettes around its main plant—like a hen caring for baby chicks.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 5-10
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7Liriope
Stuart Blyth//Getty ImagesCommonly known as lilyturf, all four species of these grass-like blooms are perennials.
The towering purple buds make an appearance starting in the late summer and into the fall.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 6-10
8Lily of the Valley
Getty ImagesConsider this one of the easier perennial ground covers, namely because it can bloom in partial shade with moist soil.
Bonus: it's also one of the sweetest-smelling.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 2-9
9Spotted Dead-Nettle
skymoon13//Getty ImagesKnown as Lamium maculatum, this pretty lilac-hued perennial plant is deer- and rabbit-resistant and boasts a lengthy bloom time: from the middle of spring to early summer.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 3-10
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10Barren Strawberry
HHelene//Getty ImagesThese pretty plants (Waldsteinia fragarioides) look similar strawberries but only produce inedible dry fruit with small dainty yellow flowers.
The ground cover flowering plant thrive in well-drained soil in medium to full sun conditions.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 4-7
11Creeping Phlox
Getty ImagesThese blooming beauties come in a variety of colors—white, purples, blues, and pinks—and won't grow taller than six inches.
It thrives under humid conditions in well-drained soil with medium to full sun.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 3-9
12Lamb’s Ear
Getty ImagesA cousin to mint that's also called woolly hedgenettle, you’ll enjoy this plant’s lush, silvery leaves year-round.
The purple flowers that bloom in the spring also add another beautiful touch to the hardy ground cover plant.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 4-9
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13Violet 'Freckles'
Flickr Creative Commons/Robin_OttawaThis variety of Viola sororia is moderately fast-growing and sports unique freckled purple flowers in mid-spring. When combined with shade-loving mosses, it creates a gorgeous woodland effect.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 4-11
14Corsican Mint
Flickr Creative Commons/David EickhoffTiny pale-mauve blossoms appear in summer on the mint-scented herb Mentha requienii.
It's an ideal choice for shady areas and can also handle some afternoon sun and is easily divided.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 6-10
15Miniature Brass Buttons
Flickr Creative Commons/Megan HansenThe moisture-loving Leptinella gruveri can withstand some morning light.
It's an aggressive grower with tiny, pale fernlike leaves and small green-gold flowers that emerge in the middle of spring.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9
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16Dianthus 'Sternkissen'
Courtesy of StepablesA variety of the moderately spreading Dianthus gratianopolitanus, featuring blue-green foliage and clove-scented pink flowers.
It requires relatively little water and grows well under full sun at least six hours per day.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 3-9
17Creeping Jenny
Grace Cary//Getty ImagesLysimachia nummularia is a sprawling ground plant that's a member of the primrose family Primulaceae.
This evergreen perennial is also referred to as moneywort because of its leaves "coin-like" appearance and spreads rapidly in consistently moist soil with full soil.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 3-9
18Creeping Mazus
Flickr Creative Commons/James St. JohnThe abundant purple flowers of Mazus reptans, also known as creeping blue, bloom in mid-spring and remain through early summer. This drought-tolerant plant can also be grown in full sun.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 4-10
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19Blue Star Creeper
Flickr Creative Commons/Andrey ZharkikhEasy-to-grow blue star creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) produces pale-blue flowers that last from spring through early fall.
It spreads quickly in filtered light, consistently moist soil, and can also take full sun.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 5-10
20Sedum 'Baby Tears'
Ken DruseThe teardrop-shaped, variegated leaves on this drought-tolerant succulent (Sedum album) turned red in autumn.
The spikes of white flowers that burst forth each summer are a bonus.
Good For: Plant Hardiness Zones 4-9
Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
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