Ground-covering shrubs

Benefits of ground-covering shrubs

Really handy if you need to establish plants on slopes or embankments, ground cover shrubs are also superb at suppressing weeds. As well as helping to stabilise soils because of their well-developed root systems, ground cover shrubs are also effective at maintaining good levels of soil moisture and evening out temperature fluctuations in the soil. Roots also help the soil to ‘breathe’ and prevent compaction. All of this aids the development of healthy spoil.

Ground cover shrubs are great for planting in combination with plants like bulb and tuber species which can last a long time, such as crocuses, snowdrops, narcissi, Scilla, wild tulips etc.

Many shrubby groundcover plants are evergreen. Examples include ivy (Hedera), periwinkle (Vinca), low Euonymus varieties and Cotoneaster. 

Best-known groundcover plants

One of the best-known deciduous ground-covering plants is thyme (Thymus), but the snowberry Symphoricarpos × chenaultii ‘Hancock’ and low varieties of the shrubby cinqfoil (Potentilla Suffruticosa Group) also make up an interesting group with ground-covering roses, amongst others.