Best Ground Cover Plants for Georgia Yards

Bare soil between shrubs can make a flower bed look unfinished. It also gives weeds plenty of room to settle in and make themselves comfortable.

A good ground cover can help fill those empty spaces, soften walkways, reduce erosion, and add color or texture where grass struggles to grow.

The important part is choosing the right ground cover for the right location.

Some ground covers love hot, dry sunshine. Others need shade and steady moisture. A plant that behaves nicely in one area may spread far too aggressively in another.

At Bobby & Lynn’s Plant Farm in Dallas, Georgia, we look for ground covers that fit the sunlight, drainage, soil, and amount of maintenance a homeowner is willing to provide.

Quick Answer

Some of the best ground cover plants for Georgia yards include:

• Creeping phlox for sunny slopes and bed edges
• Sedum for hot, dry areas
• Mondo grass for shade and evergreen texture
• Clumping liriope for borders and beneath shrubs
• Green-and-gold for partial shade
• Foamflower for woodland-style beds
• Wild ginger for shady areas
• Native sedges for slopes and naturalized plantings
• Juniper for large sunny banks
• Ajuga for contained partial-shade beds

Choose according to the actual sunlight, drainage, soil moisture, and available space.

Avoid using an aggressive spreader simply because you want fast coverage. A plant that fills the bed quickly may not stop when it reaches the border.

What Is a Ground Cover?

A ground cover is a low-growing plant that spreads across the soil.

Ground covers can range from only a few inches tall to more than a foot in height. Some remain evergreen, while others disappear during winter and return in spring.

A well-chosen ground cover can:

• Fill bare soil
• Reduce some weed growth
• Slow erosion
• Soften bed edges
• Add flowers and foliage
• Replace grass in difficult areas
• Protect soil from heavy rain
• Add interest beneath shrubs
• Connect separate plants into a finished design

Ground covers are especially useful in heavy shade, poor soil, narrow beds, and steep areas where turfgrass is difficult to maintain. UGA Extension explains that ground covers can stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and add interest in areas where other plants struggle.

Ground Covers Do Not Eliminate Every Weed

A dense ground cover can reduce open space where weeds germinate, but it will not create a completely weed-free landscape.

Weeds may still appear:

• Before the ground cover fills in
• Between newly planted sections
• Through thin areas
• Along bed edges
• After birds or wind carry in seeds
• When aggressive weeds already exist in the soil

Good preparation makes a large difference.

Remove existing weeds before planting. Continue hand-weeding while the ground cover becomes established. Once the plants spread together, weed pressure should become easier to manage.

Match the Ground Cover to the Location

Before buying plants, study the area carefully.

Ask:

• Does it receive full sun, partial shade, or deep shade?
• Is the strongest sunlight in the morning or afternoon?
• Does the soil stay wet after rain?
• Does the area become dry beneath trees?
• Is the ground level or sloped?
• Will people walk across it?
• Is the bed near woods or a natural area?
• How much spreading can be tolerated?
• Do you want flowers, evergreen foliage, or both?
• How quickly does the area need to fill?

A shade-loving ground cover may scorch in a west-facing bed. A drought-tolerant plant may rot in heavy, constantly wet clay.

The plant should fit the location instead of needing the location rebuilt around it.

Best Ground Covers for Full Sun

Sunny ground covers need to tolerate heat, direct light, and faster moisture loss.

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox is one of the prettiest spring ground covers for sunny Georgia landscapes.

It forms a low mat of narrow foliage and produces a carpet of flowers in shades of:

• Pink
• Purple
• Lavender
• Blue
• White
• Bicolored combinations

Creeping phlox works especially well:

• On sunny slopes
• Above retaining walls
• Along bed edges
• In rock gardens
• Beside walkways
• Around larger shrubs

It performs best in full sun and soil that drains well.

After the spring bloom fades, the foliage continues covering the ground. Trim uneven or damaged growth lightly after flowering when needed.

Sedum

Low-growing sedums are strong choices for hot, dry areas.

Their thick leaves store moisture, helping established plants handle periods of limited rainfall. Foliage may be green, blue-green, bronze, red, yellow, or variegated.

Sedum works well:

• Around rocks
• On dry slopes
• Near sunny walkways
• At the edge of shrub beds
• In shallow soil
• Where irrigation is limited

Avoid planting sedum in soil that remains wet. It handles drought much better than soggy roots.

Our guide to plants that thrive in poor soil conditions includes more plants for lean, sunny areas.

Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme stays low and can produce small flowers that attract bees.

It works best in:

• Sunny paths
• Between stepping stones
• Rock gardens
• Dry bed edges
• Areas with excellent drainage

Some types tolerate light foot traffic, but creeping thyme is not a replacement for a heavily used lawn.

Georgia humidity and clay can be challenging when the soil stays wet. Use it only in a bright, well-drained location.

Low-Growing Juniper

Spreading junipers can cover large sunny banks and dry slopes.

They provide evergreen foliage and may spread several feet wide, depending on the variety.

Juniper works well when:

• The area receives full sun
• The soil drains properly
• A large space needs coverage
• Year-round greenery is desired
• Foot traffic is not expected

Check the mature spread before planting. Some varieties need four or five feet of room.

Junipers can become difficult to weed once their branches form a dense mat. Remove perennial weeds thoroughly before planting.

Best Ground Covers for Partial Shade

Partial shade may include morning sun, filtered light, or a few hours of direct sunlight.

Green-and-Gold

Green-and-gold is a native perennial ground cover with yellow, daisy-like flowers.

It performs well in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. The plant usually remains low and spreads gradually.

Green-and-gold fits nicely:

• Along woodland paths
• Beneath open shrubs
• In native plant gardens
• At shaded bed edges
• Around oakleaf hydrangeas

Its spring flowers can brighten a bed before many summer shrubs begin blooming.

Foamflower

Foamflower is another native choice for shaded and partly shaded beds.

It produces delicate flower spikes above attractive foliage. Depending on the variety, leaves may have dark markings or strong fall color.

Foamflower works well around:

• Oakleaf hydrangeas
• Bigleaf hydrangeas
• Ferns
• Hostas
• Native azaleas
• Woodland shrubs

It prefers soil that remains reasonably moist but still drains.

Ajuga

Ajuga, also called bugleweed, forms a low carpet of colorful foliage.

Leaves may be:

• Green
• Bronze
• Purple
• Burgundy
• Variegated

Short blue or purple flowers usually appear during spring.

Ajuga can work along walkways, beneath shrubs, and in contained partial-shade beds.

It spreads through runners, so keep an eye on the edges. Avoid planting it beside lawns, natural areas, or small perennials that could be overwhelmed.

Clumping Liriope

Clumping liriope provides neat, grass-like foliage and late-summer flower spikes.

It is useful:

• Along bed borders
• Beneath shrubs
• Near foundations
• Beside walkways
• On gentle slopes
• Around trees where the soil is not too dry

Choose a clumping cultivar when you want a controlled border.

Spreading liriope can move aggressively through underground stems and may be harder to contain.

Best Ground Covers for Shade

Shade beneath trees and shrubs can be difficult because it is often dry as well as dark.

Large roots may take much of the available moisture before smaller plants can use it.

Mondo Grass

Mondo grass produces narrow, dark green foliage and usually stays lower than liriope.

It can create a tidy evergreen carpet in shaded or partly shaded areas.

Mondo grass works well:

• Along shady walkways
• Beneath open shrubs
• Between stepping stones
• In narrow foundation beds
• Around patios
• As a low border

Dwarf mondo grass remains especially low but may take longer to fill a large area.

Wild Ginger

Native wild ginger is valued for its heart-shaped leaves and ability to grow in woodland shade.

It works well in:

• Native plant beds
• Moist woodland areas
• Beneath open deciduous shrubs
• Along shaded paths
• Naturalized gardens

Wild ginger prefers organic soil and regular moisture. It is not a strong choice for hot, exposed, or extremely dry locations.

Christmas Fern

Christmas fern is taller than a traditional ground cover, but groups of plants can cover shaded slopes and woodland beds.

It provides evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage in many Georgia landscapes.

Christmas fern is useful:

• Beneath trees
• On shaded banks
• Around oakleaf hydrangeas
• In native gardens
• Along woodland paths

Its roots and foliage can help protect soil, while the upright form adds more height than a creeping ground cover.

Native Sedges

Native sedges resemble ornamental grasses but are often better suited to shade or woodland conditions.

Different species tolerate different moisture levels, so choose one matched to the site.

Sedges can be used:

• In loose groups
• Beneath shrubs
• On shaded slopes
• In rain-garden edges
• Along woodland paths
• As lawn alternatives in low-traffic shade

Their fine roots can help hold soil without creating the look of a solid creeping mat.

Best Ground Covers for Georgia Clay

Clay soil holds moisture but may drain slowly after heavy rain. It can also become hard and cracked during dry weather.

Ground covers that may tolerate clay when drainage is adequate include:

• Clumping liriope
• Mondo grass
• Ajuga
• Green-and-gold
• Native sedges
• Christmas fern
• Creeping phlox on raised or sloped areas
• Certain spreading junipers in dry, sunny clay

Avoid assuming every clay area has the same moisture.

The top of a slope may become dry quickly, while the bottom remains wet. One ground cover may not suit the entire hillside.

Before planting:

1. Remove weeds.
2. Check drainage after rain.
3. Loosen compacted soil across the planting area.
4. Add compost across the bed when needed.
5. Avoid creating small pockets of potting soil.
6. Plant at the same depth the plants grew in their containers.
7. Mulch lightly between new plants.
8. Water until the roots establish.

Best Ground Covers for Slopes

Ground covers can help protect slopes, but plants alone may not solve severe erosion.

Roots help hold soil, while leaves and stems reduce the force of rain hitting the ground. Mulch, terraces, stones, and other erosion-control methods may also be needed.

UGA Extension recommends combining plants with mulch, terracing, stones, or other methods on challenging slopes.

Sunny slopes

Good choices may include:

• Creeping phlox
• Low-growing juniper
• Sedum
• Native grasses
• Native sedges suited to sun
• Daylilies in larger mixed plantings

Partly shaded slopes

Consider:

• Clumping liriope
• Green-and-gold
• Ajuga in contained areas
• Native sedges
• Christmas fern
• Foamflower

Planting a slope

When planting on a slope:

• Disturb as little soil as possible.
• Remove serious weeds first.
• Stagger plants instead of using straight rows.
• Create small level planting pockets.
• Water slowly to reduce runoff.
• Use shredded mulch that is less likely to wash downhill.
• Consider drip irrigation or a soaker hose.
• Plant more drought-tolerant choices near the top.
• Use moisture-tolerant plants near the bottom when water collects there.

A steep or actively eroding slope may need professional evaluation before planting.

Ground Covers for Dry Areas Beneath Trees

The ground beneath a mature tree can be one of the hardest parts of a yard.

It may have:

• Heavy shade
• Dry soil
• Dense surface roots
• Competition for water
• Leaf litter
• Limited digging space

Do not till deeply around established tree roots.

Use small plants and shallow planting holes. Add compost and mulch to the surface rather than cutting through large roots.

Possible choices include:

• Mondo grass
• Christmas fern
• Native sedges
• Wild ginger where moisture is adequate
• Green-and-gold in brighter woodland edges
• Clumping liriope in less natural areas

Even shade-tolerant plants need water while establishing. A plant that handles shade may not automatically tolerate severe root competition and drought.

Read How Nearby Trees Affect Shrubs More Than You Realize for more information about dry soil and root competition around mature trees.

Ground Covers Around Hydrangeas

Ground covers can soften the front of a hydrangea bed, but they should not be planted directly against the stems.

For bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas in partial shade, consider:

• Foamflower
• Green-and-gold
• Mondo grass
• Clumping liriope
• Wild ginger
• Small native sedges
• Ajuga in a contained area

For sunny panicle hydrangeas, consider:

• Creeping phlox
• Sedum near the dry outer edge
• Low-growing thyme in well-drained soil
• Compact ornamental grasses
• Sunny native sedges

Leave room for the hydrangea’s mature width.

Ground covers planted too close may disappear beneath the shrub or compete with its shallow roots.

Our guide to the best companion plants for hydrangeas in Georgia includes additional combinations for sunny and shaded beds.

Ground Covers Around Mature Shrubs

Mature shrubs already have established root systems.

When planting underneath them:

• Use small starter plants.
• Dig between visible roots.
• Avoid cutting thick roots.
• Keep plants away from the main stems.
• Add only a light mulch layer.
• Water the new plants directly.
• Expect slower establishment in root-filled soil.

Read Best Plants Under Mature Shrubs for more ideas and layout suggestions.

Native Ground Covers Worth Considering

Native plants can support local insects and wildlife when they are properly matched to the site.

Georgia-friendly native ground-cover possibilities include:

• Green-and-gold
• Foamflower
• Wild ginger
• Christmas fern
• Native creeping phlox
• Native sedges
• Partridgeberry
• Woodland phlox
• Dwarf crested iris
• Allegheny spurge

Not every native plant suits every Georgia yard.

A plant native to a moist woodland may still struggle in dry clay beside a driveway. Match the plant to the sunlight, drainage, moisture, and region.

Evergreen Ground Covers

Evergreen ground covers help beds look finished during winter.

Possible choices include:

• Mondo grass
• Clumping liriope
• Low-growing juniper
• Christmas fern
• Certain native sedges
• Allegheny spurge
• Asiatic jasmine in suitable protected areas

Check cold hardiness before planting evergreen ground covers. A plant that remains evergreen in southern Georgia may suffer winter damage in colder areas of North Georgia.

Flowering Ground Covers

For seasonal color, consider:

• Creeping phlox
• Green-and-gold
• Foamflower
• Ajuga
• Creeping thyme
• Woodland phlox
• Partridgeberry
• Dwarf crested iris

Choose a mixture of foliage and flowers rather than expecting one plant to look spectacular all year.

Many flowering ground covers bloom for only part of the season. Their foliage should still fit the landscape after the flowers fade.

Plants to Use With Caution

Some ground covers spread so quickly that they become difficult to manage.

Snow on the Mountain

Snow on the Mountain, also called bishop’s weed or goutweed, has attractive green-and-white foliage.

It can brighten a shady area, but it spreads through underground rhizomes. Small root pieces left in the soil may grow again.

Once established, it may move beyond the original planting area and become difficult to remove.

For most home landscapes, a better-behaved shade ground cover is the safer choice.

Avoid planting Snow on the Mountain:

• Near woods
• Beside natural areas
• Around small perennials
• Along property lines
• Where underground spread cannot be contained

English Ivy

English ivy can climb trees, cover shrubs, move into natural areas, and become difficult to remove.

It should not be treated as a harmless solution for every shaded slope.

Vinca

Vinca, or common periwinkle, forms a dense evergreen mat and produces blue-purple flowers.

It can also escape cultivation and spread into wooded areas.

Use caution near forests, streams, and natural landscapes.

Spreading Liriope

Some liriope varieties spread through underground runners.

They may be useful where fast coverage is wanted, but clumping liriope is usually easier to manage in a defined flower bed.

Ajuga

Ajuga can be attractive and useful, but it may spread beyond a small bed.

Keep it away from delicate plants and watch the edges regularly.

How Fast Should a Ground Cover Spread?

Faster is not always better.

A quickly spreading plant may fill the area sooner, but it may also:

• Enter the lawn
• Cover small perennials
• Cross walkways
• Move beneath fences
• Reach neighboring property
• Escape into natural areas

A slower ground cover may take more patience but create fewer long-term problems.

Choose the growth rate according to the size and boundaries of the planting area.

How Far Apart Should Ground Covers Be Planted?

Spacing depends on the mature spread of the plant.

Small plants such as creeping phlox or mondo grass may commonly be planted around 8 to 18 inches apart, depending on the cultivar and how quickly coverage is desired.

Larger ground covers such as spreading junipers may need several feet between plants.

Use the plant label as the main guide.

Planting too far apart:

• Leaves open soil for longer
• Allows more weeds
• Delays full coverage

Planting too closely:

• Costs more
• Increases competition
• Reduces airflow
• May create crowding

Plan for mature spread instead of placing the plants according to their container size.

How to Prepare the Area

Good preparation is especially important because weeds become difficult to remove after ground covers spread.

Step 1: Remove existing weeds

Remove perennial weeds, grass, roots, and runners before planting.

Do not simply cover live weeds with a thin layer of mulch and hope for the best.

Step 2: Check the drainage

Watch how the area behaves after rain.

Avoid planting dry-site ground covers where water collects.

Step 3: Loosen compacted soil

Loosen the planting area without digging deeply around established tree or shrub roots.

Step 4: Add compost when needed

A light layer of compost can improve soil structure when mixed across an open planting bed.

Avoid creating isolated pockets of soft soil in hard clay.

Step 5: Lay out the plants

Place the containers across the bed before digging.

Stagger them naturally rather than creating rigid rows unless a formal design is intended.

Step 6: Plant at the proper depth

Keep the crown of each plant at the same level it grew in the container.

Step 7: Water thoroughly

Water each plant directly after planting.

Step 8: Mulch lightly

Use a thin layer of mulch between new plants while they fill in.

Keep mulch away from the crowns.

Watering New Ground Covers

Even drought-tolerant ground covers need regular water while establishing.

Their roots are small and concentrated around the original container soil.

During establishment:

• Check the soil regularly.
• Water deeply enough to moisten the root area.
• Avoid light surface sprinkling.
• Reduce watering as roots spread.
• Adjust for rainfall, shade, slope, and soil type.
• Check the upper portion of slopes more often.

Water may run downhill before soaking into a slope.

Shorter, slower watering cycles can help the soil absorb more moisture.

Mulching Between Ground Covers

Mulch is useful while new plants are small.

It can:

• Reduce weeds
• Slow moisture loss
• Protect soil
• Reduce erosion
• Keep roots cooler

Use only a light layer around small ground covers.

Thick mulch may bury the crowns, slow spreading, or cause rot.

As the plants fill the area, less mulch should be needed.

Ground Covers and Foot Traffic

Most ground covers do not tolerate regular walking.

For light foot traffic, possible choices may include:

• Creeping thyme
• Dwarf mondo grass
• Certain sedums
• Plants grown between widely spaced stepping stones

Use stepping stones or a defined path through areas that receive regular traffic.

Do not expect a delicate flowering ground cover to handle the same use as turfgrass.

What We See at Our Plant Farm

At Bobby & Lynn’s Plant Farm, one of the biggest ground-cover mistakes we see is choosing a plant because it spreads quickly without considering where it will stop.

Fast coverage sounds wonderful when the bed is bare. A few years later, the same plant may be growing through nearby shrubs, crossing the border, and heading toward the lawn like it has somewhere important to be.

We also see ground covers used to solve a sunlight problem without addressing moisture.

An area beneath a tree may be shady, but it can also be extremely dry. A plant labeled for shade may still struggle because the tree roots take most of the available water.

Another common issue is planting ground covers too close to the stems of hydrangeas and other shrubs.

Leave breathing room around the base. The ground cover should finish the bed, not climb into the shrub and compete for every inch of space.

The best ground cover is not always the fastest one. It is the plant that covers the soil while staying manageable in that particular yard.

Ground Cover Comparison Table

Ground Cover Checklist

Before choosing a plant, ask:

• How much sunlight does the area receive?
• Does the soil stay wet or become dry?
• Is the area level or sloped?
• Are mature tree roots present?
• Will people walk across the planting?
• Is the site near woods or a natural area?
• How quickly should the area fill?
• How much spreading can be managed?
• Is year-round foliage important?
• Are flowers or pollinator value desired?
• Will the plant fit around existing shrubs?
• Can the area be watered during establishment?
• Is the plant recommended for Georgia?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest ground cover to grow in Georgia?

Clumping liriope, mondo grass, creeping phlox, sedum, and certain native sedges are dependable when planted in suitable conditions.

The easiest choice depends on sunlight and drainage.

What ground cover grows best in full sun?

Creeping phlox, sedum, creeping thyme, and low-growing juniper are strong options for sunny areas with good drainage.

What ground cover grows best in shade?

Mondo grass, wild ginger, Christmas fern, foamflower, and shade-tolerant native sedges are worth considering.

What ground cover is best for a slope?

Creeping phlox and low juniper work well on sunny slopes. Christmas fern, native sedges, liriope, and green-and-gold may work on partly shaded slopes.

Steep erosion problems may require mulch, terraces, or additional stabilization.

Will ground cover stop weeds?

Dense plants can reduce weeds after they fill in.

Weeding will still be needed during establishment and along open edges.

What ground cover can handle Georgia clay?

Clumping liriope, mondo grass, ajuga, green-and-gold, native sedges, and Christmas fern can tolerate clay when drainage and sunlight suit the plant.

Can ground cover be planted under hydrangeas?

Yes.

Choose plants with similar light and moisture needs. Keep them away from the main stems and leave room for the hydrangea’s mature width.

Is creeping thyme a good choice for Georgia?

It can perform well in full sun and excellent drainage.

Wet clay and high humidity may cause problems, so it is not suitable for every Georgia yard.

Is Snow on the Mountain a good ground cover?

Its variegated foliage is attractive, but the plant can spread aggressively through underground stems.

For most yards, a better-behaved shade ground cover is the safer option.

When is the best time to plant ground covers?

Fall and early spring are usually good planting seasons in Georgia.

Cooler temperatures reduce stress and allow roots to begin establishing before summer heat.

How long does ground cover take to fill in?

The time varies by plant size, spacing, growth rate, sunlight, moisture, and soil.

Fast spreaders may fill an area in one or two seasons. Slower plants may need several years.

What to Do Next

Begin by studying the area instead of choosing a ground cover from appearance alone.

Check the sunlight, drainage, moisture, slope, tree-root competition, and size of the planting space.

Use creeping phlox, sedum, creeping thyme, or low juniper in sunny, well-drained areas.

Choose green-and-gold, foamflower, mondo grass, wild ginger, Christmas fern, or native sedges for shaded and woodland-style beds.

Use caution with plants that spread aggressively. Fast coverage is not helpful when the plant continues moving through the rest of the landscape.

Prepare the soil, remove weeds, space the plants for their mature spread, and water consistently while they become established.

With the right ground cover in the right place, a bare area can become a finished part of the landscape without turning into another garden problem.

Browse our Plant Directory to compare sunlight, size, and growing conditions for plants in your landscape.

You can also read Best Plants Under Mature Shrubs for more ideas about filling difficult spaces around established shrubs.