Welcome to the colorful, vibrant, and downright magical world of summer ground cover plants!
As the sun rides high and our gardens bask in its warm embrace, we're shining the spotlight on five ground-hugging superstars that are ready to transform your garden into a lush, summer sanctuary.
We're talking about the Golden Creeping Jenny with her cascade of gold, the shade-loving sweet woodruff, the sun-kissed ice plant, the versatile sedum, and the carpet-like creeping phlox.
These five champions of the undergrowth are not just lovely to look at, they're also a gardener's secret weapon against bare spots, soil erosion, and pesky weeds.
So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a green-thumbed novice, prepare to be inspired by these summer-loving ground covers. They're all set to add a fresh layer of charm to your garden, one leaf at a time. Let's dive in!
Top 5 Picks for Summer Ground Covers
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping Phlox is a mat-forming plant that bursts into a carpet of color (with pink, purple, or white flowers) in the spring and keeps its green foliage throughout summer. It loves full sun and well-drained soil. Bonus: it's a butterfly magnet!
Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
With its water-filled, icy-looking leaves and bright fuschia flowers, the ice plant is a real dazzler. It loves sunbathing, so plant it where it gets full sunlight. It's drought-tolerant, making it perfect for those forgetful waterers among us.
Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Also known as stonecrop, sedum is a crowd favorite. With a variety of species to choose from, you'll find a sedum for every garden.
These plants love the sun and don't mind droughts. Their fleshy leaves and starry flowers will add texture and color to your garden.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
This shade-loving beauty is a charmer with delicate, star-shaped white flowers. Keep its soil moist, but well-drained. Did you know it can also act as a natural air freshener? When dried, it emits a fresh, hay-like aroma.
Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea')
This sun-loving ground cover is a true summer champion. With its vibrant, gold coin-like leaves, it's a fast-growing ground cover that prefers well-drained soil and full sun to part shade.
But don't worry, it's a tough little plant and can handle a bit of neglect.
In Closing
These plants aren't just easy on the eyes - they're also champions of soil health, warriors against weeds, and masters of turning tricky garden spots into lush patches of green.
They are the unsung heroes adding depth, color, and texture to our beloved gardens.
As we bid goodbye to this blooming adventure, we hope you're feeling inspired to give these summer ground cover plants a warm welcome in your garden.
May they bring your outdoor space a dash of color, a sprinkle of joy, and a whole lot of garden love.