Winter doesn’t have to mean a dull and lifeless garden. By choosing the right ground covers, you can keep your landscape looking lively and vibrant even in November. While these ground covers are hardy and capable of providing greenery, texture, and color during colder months, it's important to note that their performance may vary depending on your climate zone. In harsher zones, some of these plants may not stay fully green but can still contribute structure and interest to your winter garden. Let’s explore some November-friendly options that will bring life to your garden through the colder months.
Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme is an excellent option for ground cover during November. Not only does it remain green through early winter, but its aromatic leaves bring an additional sensory experience to your garden. It can tolerate light foot traffic, making it perfect for pathways or between stepping stones, adding a dash of green when most plants are going dormant.
Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Creeping Juniper 'Douglasii' is a tough, evergreen ground cover that thrives during winter. Its dense, needle-like foliage provides year-round greenery and helps with erosion control, especially on slopes. The silvery-blue hue of its foliage adds winter interest, making it a great choice for covering larger areas or adding texture to rock gardens.
Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)
Barren Strawberry is a hardy, evergreen ground cover that stays vibrant throughout winter. Its bright green leaves form a dense mat that helps with erosion control and provides consistent greenery during the colder months. This ground cover is well-suited to both sun and partial shade, making it versatile for various garden conditions.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Bearberry is another excellent ground cover for November, particularly in colder climates. This plant features small, glossy leaves that stay green through the winter, and it can even produce small red berries that add visual interest. Bearberry is extremely hardy and can handle tough winter conditions, making it a reliable choice for adding winter beauty to your garden.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff is a hardy ground cover that maintains its form through November and into winter. Its whorled leaves create a lovely texture, and it tends to stay green even as the temperature drops. Though it’s more subdued in winter compared to its spring blooms, sweet woodruff still brings a soft, attractive look to garden beds and shady areas.
Woolly Thyme
Similar to creeping thyme, woolly thyme is a resilient ground cover that remains green through much of the winter. It has fuzzy, silvery leaves that provide a unique texture, especially when frost settles on them. Woolly thyme works well in rock gardens, between pavers, or as an accent in winter container gardens, offering a charming and hardy touch to any landscape.
Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Ajuga, or bugleweed, is a great pick for those wanting a ground cover that stays colorful during winter. Ajuga's leaves come in various shades, from dark green to bronze and even purple, adding rich hues to your winter garden. It forms a dense mat, helping to keep weeds at bay, and looks beautiful as a low-lying feature under shrubs or along garden borders.
Sedum 'Dragon's Blood'
Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' is a striking choice for November ground cover. Its fleshy leaves turn a deep red as temperatures drop, giving your garden a burst of color. This sedum is low-maintenance and tolerant of cold weather, making it perfect for filling gaps and adding visual interest during the late fall and early winter months.
Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
Hellebore, also known as Lenten Rose, is a fantastic option if you're looking for winter interest in your garden. Although not strictly a ground cover, its low-growing foliage and early blooms make it an excellent addition to ground-level plantings. Hellebores maintain lush green foliage throughout November and often bloom in late winter, providing a beautiful contrast to the bare branches around them.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a classic evergreen ground cover that thrives in shaded areas and remains vibrant throughout winter. Its broad, leathery leaves form a dense carpet that keeps your garden looking lush. Pachysandra is an excellent choice for planting under trees or in other areas where other ground covers may struggle, offering a deep green backdrop even in the coldest months.
Irish Moss
Irish moss is a low-growing ground cover that forms a dense mat of bright green foliage. It stays green throughout the winter, adding a fresh look to your garden. Irish moss is ideal for rock gardens, between stepping stones, or as a soft, natural border for garden beds, providing a lively splash of color even when other plants have gone dormant.
Lamium (Dead Nettle)
Lamium is a hardy, semi-evergreen ground cover that thrives in cooler temperatures. Its silver-speckled leaves stay bright through much of the winter, especially in milder climates. It's particularly effective in shaded or partially shaded areas, making it a great addition under trees or along garden edges. Lamium helps with erosion control and adds texture and brightness to your garden beds.
Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)
Vinca minor is another excellent evergreen ground cover that works well throughout winter. It has glossy leaves that remain green even in colder temperatures, and in milder regions, it can produce small, periwinkle-blue flowers. Vinca minor is easy to grow, forms a dense mat, and effectively suppresses weeds while controlling erosion, making it ideal for slopes and shady areas.
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Heuchera, also known as Coral Bells, is known for its attractive foliage that remains beautiful even in winter. Available in a wide range of colors—from deep purple to vibrant green—Heuchera adds a striking contrast to your garden. Its low-growing, spreading nature makes it perfect for ground-level winter interest, especially in borders or as a companion to other low-lying plants.
Keep Your Winter Garden Thriving
Adding ground covers that thrive through November and beyond can significantly affect how your garden looks during the colder months. From the rich colors of Ajuga to the evergreen charm of wintergreen and bearberry, these options bring texture, color, and life to your landscape. Choose the ground cover that best suits your garden conditions and enjoy a vibrant, winter-ready garden all season long.