Top 7 Evergreen Groundcovers For Year-Round Beauty

July 23, 2023

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Enjoy Year-Round Color With Less Maintenance

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to keep your garden looking lush and green all year round, evergreen groundcovers are a great option. These plants not only provide year-round beauty, but they also help to prevent soil erosion and suppress weeds. Here are seven of the best evergreen groundcovers to consider for your garden.

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox is a popular evergreen groundcover that produces a carpet of colorful flowers in the spring. It’s easy to grow and requires little maintenance, making it a great choice for busy gardeners.

Creeping phlox comes in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, blue, and white, so you can choose the one that best complements your garden’s color scheme. Plus, it’s a great option for slopes or areas with poor soil, as it helps to prevent erosion.

Name: Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9

Light: Full sun, partial shade

Soil Needs: Well-drained

Mature size: 6–12 in. tall, 9–18 in. wide

Ajuga

Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a great evergreen groundcover option for shady areas. Its foliage ranges from deep green to purple, and it produces spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers in the spring.

Ajuga is low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of soil types, making it a versatile choice for any garden. It also spreads quickly, filling in bare areas and suppressing weeds.

Name: Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Light: partial sun to partial shade

Soil Needs: Medium moist. well-drained

Mature size: 6-9 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide

Pachysandra

Pachysandra is a popular evergreen ground cover that is perfect for shady areas. Its glossy green leaves provide year-round interest, and it produces small white flowers in the spring.

Pachysandra is low-maintenance and can tolerate various soil types, making it a versatile choice for any garden. It also spreads quickly, filling in bare areas and suppressing weeds. Pachysandra is a great option for borders, under trees, or in rock gardens.

Name: Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis)

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Light: Partial shade, full shade

Soil Needs: Slightly acidic

Mature size: 6 in. tall, 12 in. wide

Vinca Minor

Vinca minor, also known as periwinkle, and creeping Myrtle, is a fast-growing evergreen groundcover that produces beautiful blue or purple flowers in the spring.

It is low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of soil types, but prefers well-drained soil. Vinca minor is a great option for slopes or areas with poor soil, as it helps prevent erosion and adds color to the landscape.

It also spreads quickly, filling in bare areas and suppressing weeds. Vinca minor is a versatile choice for any garden and provides year-round beauty.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Soil Needs: Well-drained

Light: Full sun partial shade, shade

Mature size: 3-6 in. tall with trailing vines up to 18 in. long

English Ivy

English Ivy is a classic evergreen groundcover that is known for its ability to climb walls and other structures. It has glossy, dark green leaves that stay green all year and produce small, white flowers in the fall.

English Ivy is a great option for shady areas and can tolerate a variety of soil types.

It is also low-maintenance and can be easily trimmed to keep it under control. However, it is important to note that English Ivy can be invasive in some areas, so be sure to check with your local extension office before planting.

Name: English ivy (Hedera helix)

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Light: Partial shade, full shade

Soil Needs: Fertile, moist

Mature size: 8 in. tall, 50-100 ft. spread

Moonshadow Euonymus

Also known as Moonshadow wintercreeper, this versatile evergreen groundcover can handle a variety of soil conditions and everything from part shade to full sun.

With its variegated foliage, it provides your landscape with deep green and bright yellow colors all year long.

It has a medium growth rate and is cold-hardy as well as drought-tolerant once established. One thing to keep in mind is that this groundcover is not deer-resistant. It is a plant that can be frequently nibbled on by deer.

Name: Moonshadow Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei ‘Moonshadow’)

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Light: Full sun, partial shade

Soil Needs: Well-drained

Mature size: 3 ft. tall, 5 ft. wide

Blue Rug Juniper

Also known as Creeping Juniper, this cold-hardy evergreen groundcover spreads up to 10 feet wide.

It is popular for the silver to blue foliage that remains thick and lush all year long.

This Juniper prefers full sun and is drought-tolerant once established. It is commonly used on sloped areas to help prevent soil erosion.

Name: Blue Rug Juniper – Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9

Light: Full sun

Soil Needs: Any well-drained soil

Mature size: 6-12 inches tall, 10 ft. wide

Shop all the most popular evergreen groundcovers comparing the best prices from top-rated online nurseries.

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Doug Hall

President at Target Marketing Solutions

Doug Hall owns BuyEvergreenShrubs.com and has over 14 years experience working with some of the largest online plant nurseries. Doug has consulted for, visited and evaluated quality from over 50 plant nurseries. He also has extensive direct marketing experience.