Weed Warriors: Groundcovers That Keep Weeds at Bay
Weeds are the bane of every gardener’s existence. No matter how diligent you are, they seem to creep up and take over, stealing nutrients, water, and sunlight from your beloved plants. But there’s a natural, low-maintenance solution that not only keeps weeds at bay but also enhances the beauty of your garden—groundcovers. These “weed warriors” form a dense, living mulch that smothers weeds while adding texture, color, and even flowers to your landscape. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best groundcovers for fighting weeds, along with tips on how to plant and maintain them for optimal garden health.
The Benefits of Groundcovers
Groundcovers are plants that spread horizontally, covering the soil like a living carpet. While their primary benefit is weed suppression, they offer many other advantages to gardeners, including:
Soil Erosion Control: Groundcovers help anchor the soil, preventing erosion, especially on slopes or areas prone to water runoff. Their root systems hold the soil in place, reducing the impact of rain and wind.
Moisture Retention: Just like traditional mulch, groundcovers help retain moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation. This is especially beneficial during the hotter months when water conservation is key.
Temperature Regulation: Groundcovers act as a natural insulator, keeping soil temperatures cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which can benefit plant roots.
Wildlife Habitat: Many groundcovers provide habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and small wildlife, adding ecological value to your garden.
Aesthetic Appeal: Groundcovers offer a wide range of textures, colors, and flowers that can enhance the visual appeal of your garden, making them a decorative feature as well as a functional one.
Top Groundcovers for Weed Suppression
When selecting groundcovers for weed control in garden beds, it’s essential to choose varieties that spread quickly, form dense mats, and are suited to your climate and garden conditions. Below are some of the best groundcovers for keeping weeds in check:
1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Creeping thyme is a fragrant, low-growing groundcover that forms a dense mat of tiny leaves. It’s a great choice for sunny areas and can tolerate foot traffic, making it perfect for pathways or between stepping stones. In the summer, it produces small, pink or purple flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Best For: Sunny, well-drained areas.
Benefits: Drought-tolerant, fragrant, and pollinator-friendly.
Weed-Suppression Ability: High, due to its tight growth habit.
2. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet woodruff is a shade-loving groundcover known for its delicate white flowers and fragrant foliage. It thrives in moist, shady areas where many other plants struggle. Once established, sweet woodruff forms a dense carpet that chokes out weeds.
Best For: Shady, moist areas.
Benefits: Shade-loving and fragrant, with attractive spring blooms.
Weed-Suppression Ability: High, particularly in shady gardens where weeds often thrive.
3. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)
Also known as bugleweed, ajuga is a fast-growing groundcover that tolerates a wide range of conditions, from full sun to part shade. Its attractive purple, bronze, or green leaves provide year-round interest, and in spring, ajuga produces tall spikes of blue or purple flowers. This vigorous spreader forms a thick mat that’s nearly impenetrable by weeds.
Best For: Partial sun to full shade, moist to moderately dry soil.
Benefits: Fast-growing, colorful foliage, and excellent for filling large areas.
Weed-Suppression Ability: Very high, due to its rapid growth and dense mat-forming habit.
4. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny is a vigorous grower known for its bright yellow-green foliage that lights up the garden. It’s an excellent choice for covering large areas, particularly in moist soils or near water features. Creeping Jenny also works well in containers where its trailing habit can cascade beautifully over the edges.
Best For: Moist soils, partial shade.
Benefits: Vibrant foliage, adaptable to various conditions, including wet areas.
Weed-Suppression Ability: High, but it can be aggressive, so monitor its spread.
5. Liriope (Liriope muscari)
Liriope, often called lilyturf, is a tough, grass-like groundcover that thrives in full sun to partial shade. It’s a great option for areas with heavy foot traffic or challenging conditions where other plants may struggle. Liriope produces spikes of purple or white flowers in late summer, followed by dark berries in the fall.
Best For: Full sun to part shade, tough conditions.
Benefits: Resilient, low-maintenance, and attractive flowers.
Weed-Suppression Ability: Moderate to high, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
6. Vinca Minor (Vinca minor)
Vinca minor, or periwinkle, is a popular groundcover for shaded areas. It produces glossy green leaves and delicate blue or purple flowers in the spring. Vinca spreads quickly through runners, creating a dense, weed-resistant mat that can handle difficult areas like slopes or under trees.
Best For: Shaded areas, especially under trees or on slopes.
Benefits: Attractive flowers and leaves, excellent erosion control.
Weed-Suppression Ability: High, particularly in areas where few other plants thrive.
7. Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Sedums, or stonecrops, are hardy, drought-tolerant succulents that make excellent groundcovers for dry, sunny areas. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, offering plenty of options for creative garden design. Once established, sedums form a dense mat that’s highly effective at keeping weeds out.
Best For: Dry, sunny areas.
Benefits: Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and available in many varieties.
Weed-Suppression Ability: Moderate to high, especially in poor soils where weeds typically struggle.
Planting and Maintaining Groundcovers
The key to successful weed suppression with groundcovers is proper planting and maintenance. Here’s how to ensure your groundcovers get off to a good start and continue to perform well over time:
Prepare the Soil: Before planting groundcovers, it’s important to prepare the soil by removing existing weeds, roots, and debris. Loosen the soil and amend it with compost or organic matter to promote healthy root growth.
Space Plants Correctly: Groundcovers need enough room to spread, so be sure to follow spacing guidelines for the specific plant you’re using. Planting too closely can lead to overcrowding, while planting too far apart can leave gaps where weeds can sneak in.
Mulch Between Plants: While your groundcovers are becoming established, consider mulching the space between plants. This will provide temporary weed suppression and help retain moisture. As the groundcovers grow, they’ll take over the job of weed control.
Watering and Feeding: Newly planted groundcovers need regular watering to establish their roots. Once established, many groundcovers are drought-tolerant and require less water. Fertilize lightly in the spring if needed, but avoid over-fertilizing, which can encourage excessive growth.
Pruning and Trimming: Some groundcovers, like creeping Jenny or ajuga, can become overly aggressive if left unchecked. Regular trimming or pruning will keep them under control and ensure they don’t invade areas where you don’t want them.
Conclusion
Groundcovers are an excellent way to maintain a weed-free garden while adding beauty and interest to your landscape. With the right plant choices and proper care, these “weed warriors” will do the hard work of suppressing weeds for you, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your garden and less time pulling unwanted plants. Whether you’re looking for low-maintenance options for sunny spots, shady areas, or tough terrain, there’s a groundcover that’s perfect for your needs.
Happy Harvest!