34 of the Best Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: Forever in Bloom

Looking to add a splash of color and beauty to your outdoor space? Today, we’re diving into the captivating world of perennial ground cover with flowers. Whether you’re seeking a low-growing option for shade or a fast-growing variety for full sun, we’ve got you covered.

Get ready to explore stunning purple, yellow, and white flowering ground covers that not only add charm to your landscape but also require minimal maintenance. Let’s dig in!

Table of Contents

What Is Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers

You know those beautiful carpets of blooms you often see in gardens? Well, that’s exactly what we’re talking about! Perennial ground cover with flowers are those fantastic plants that spread and create a low-growing blanket of colors. 

They not only add a pop of beauty to your landscape, but they also work wonders at keeping those pesky weeds at bay.  

With many kinds of ground cover plants to be had, you can select from white, yellow, or maybe purple plants, depending on your preference. 

These plants are perfect for filling in gaps, developing borders, or adding allure to any sunny or shady spot in your lawn. So, in case you’re searching for a clean-care, appealing addition to your outdoor vicinity, a perennial ground cover with flowers is the way to go! Let’s get ready to bloom and beautify!

Read more: 20 of the Best Invasive Ground Cover with Purple Flowers

Perennial Flowering Ground Cover For Full Sun

Looking to enhance your flower beds coverage with colorful ground cover plants?

We’ve handpicked some of the best perennial ground cover options that not only add a splash of vibrant hues but also spread gracefully, creating a stunning carpet of flowers.

These low-growing ground cover plants are perfect for filling in gaps and ensuring your flower beds are bursting with color throughout the season.

Inside-Out Flower (Vancouveria hexandra):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: Inside-out Flower

Originating from the Pacific Northwest, this perennial plant features small white flowers that grow in clusters of six. It thrives in partial to full shade and can even remain evergreen in milder climates.

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: the sweet Lily of the Valley

A beloved garden favorite, Lily of the Valley boasts beautiful bell-shaped white flowers. While it adds charm to your landscape, be cautious, as it can be considered invasive. This perennial plant tolerates partial shade and is well-suited to shady conditions.

In addition, Lily of the valley is a woodland plant that is perfect for creating a fragrant shade garden or adding a sweet aroma to your landscaping. Plus, it’s hardy enough to survive in USDA zones 2-7, making it an excellent choice for many regions. 

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: Sweet Woodruff

This fragrant ground cover hailing from Eurasia delights with its fresh-cut grass scent. Its bright white star-shaped flowers bloom in clusters during the spring. Sweet Woodruff prefers full or partial shade, making it perfect for those shadier areas.

Sweet Woodruff is known for its sweet scent and is used in herbal teas or potpourri. It spreads readily and provides a lovely carpet of pink flowers in shaded areas, and often used as a ground cover in woodland gardens.

Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers

With fern-like leaves and delicate pink, purple, or white flowers, the Pacific Bleeding Heart is a true beauty. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, adding a touch of enchantment to your garden. This perennial thrives in partial to full shade but can handle some sun if the temperature is cool and it receives enough moisture.

Small White Flower Ground Cover

Want to add a touch of elegance and charm to your garden? Let’s explore some delightful small white ground covers that will do just that, There are many options, like Bloodroot, Ceriman, Hosta, and Lamb’s Ears, but here are some of the best varieties:

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
Lovely White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers

Sweet Alyssum is a hardy white perennial ground cover with small, delicate white clustered flowers and lush green or gray-green foliage.  

This low-growing plant blooms from spring to fall, creating a carpet of dainty white blossoms that emit a sweet fragrance. Sweet Alyssum can be grown as an annual in most places, while being a perennial in USDA zones 9-11. 

This plant attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies and is often used as a border plant or in containers.

Violet ‘Freckles’ (Viola Sororia)

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers

Violet ‘Freckles’ is a captivating ground cover with white flowers adorned with charming purple freckles. It grows well in partial shade to full sun and is suitable for USDA zones 4-9. This resilient perennial blooms in late spring and early summer, adding a whimsical touch to your garden.

Desert Zinnia (Zinnia acerosa)

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers

While not traditionally a ground cover, certain low-growing varieties of zinnia can provide excellent coverage with their beautiful white flowers.  Desert zinnia is the perfect choice for a stunning and subtle accent in dry landscapes. 

This Perennial flowering subshrub is about 6 to 10” tall and 2ft wide, with large creamy white petal flowers and green veins on the underside. Its beautiful white flowers attract a variety of impressive pollinators, including butterflies, moths, flies and bees. 

While rabbits love to nibble on young plants, it’s worth noting that this subshrub has an incredibly deep tap root and cannot be successfully transplanted. 

Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: Snow-in-Summer

A native of Italy, the numerous blooms on Snow-in-summer form a carpet of white, hence its common name. Snow-in-Summer is known for its silver-gray foliage, which adds an attractive contrast to other plants. It’s also deer-resistant. In late spring or early summer, it produces masses of small white flowers.

This low-growing ground cover prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Snow-in-Summer is drought-tolerant and can withstand poor soil conditions. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-8.

Reference: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cerastium-tomentosum/

Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: Candyturf

Candytuft is an evergreen perennial with narrow, dark green leaves. It commonly produces clusters of small white flowers in spring. And yes, it also comes in pink and purple shades.

It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Candytuft thrives in well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. It is also hardy in USDA zones 3-9.

Candytuft is known for its profuse spring bloom and its ability to attract butterflies. It’s also drought tolerant and deer resistant, and commonly used as a ground cover or in rock gardens.

White Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
One of the most Stunning White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: White Creeping Phlox

White Creeping Phlox forms a dense mat of evergreen foliage. In spring, it produces masses of small, star-shaped white flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, hardy in USDA zones 3-9.

Being drought-tolerant, Creeping Phlox cascades beautifully down slopes or over walls. It’s also a great choice for attracting pollinators and creating a carpet-like effect.

White Star Creeper (Pratia pedunculata):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers

White Star Creeper features tiny, star-shaped white flowers that cover its low-growing, creeping foliage.

It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil in USDA zones 5-9. White Star Creeper can tolerate some foot traffic.

The unique characteristics of this plant is White Star Creeper forms a dense, carpet-like ground cover and is often used between pavers or in rock gardens.

Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: Foam Flower

Foamflower has heart-shaped leaves and produces delicate, white or pinkish flowers on tall spikes. The foliage is often mottled or variegated.

Foamflower is a woodland plant and thrives in cool, shaded areas in USDA zones 4 – 8. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Foamflower is valued for its attractive foliage and its ability to add a touch of elegance to shaded areas. It’s often used in woodland gardens or as a border plant.

Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: Japanese Spurge

Japanese Spurge has glossy, evergreen leaves and produces small white flowers in spring. It forms a dense mat of foliage. It also thrives in partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Japanese Spurge is adaptable and can tolerate a range of soil types, within USDA zones 4-8.

Japanese Spurge is known for its ability to grow in dense shade and under trees. It’s a popular choice for areas with limited sunlight.

White Clover (Trifolium repens):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: White Clover

White Clover has trifoliate leaves and produces small, white flower clusters on upright stems. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

White Clover is a nitrogen-fixing plant and can improve soil fertility. It is hardy in a wide range of USDA zones, typically 3-10.

White Clover is often used as a ground cover in lawns, as it can tolerate foot traffic and has the ability to withstand low mowing heights. It’s also beneficial for pollinators like bees.

White Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: the fragrant White Star Jasmine

White Star Jasmine is a vining plant with glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, star-shaped white flowers.

It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. White Star Jasmine is a climber but can be trained to grow as a ground cover. Hardiness Zones for this plant is 8-11.

White Star Jasmine is highly fragrant and attracts pollinators. It’s often used to create vertical interest on trellises, walls, or fences, but can also be used as a sprawling ground cover.

To sum up, remember to check specific plant requirements for your region, as soil types and hardiness zones can vary.

Additionally, some of these perennial ground cover with flowers may have specific cultural needs or considerations that should be taken into account when choosing them for your garden or landscape.

These white ground cover options bring a touch of elegance and versatility to your garden, with each having its own unique growing conditions and blooming season.

Colorful Ground Covering Flowers

If you’re dreaming of adding a delightful touch of pink to your garden, these stunning pink ground covers are sure to captivate your senses and bring a burst of color to your outdoor space.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata ‘Amazing Grace’)

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
Flowering Ground Cover Plants: Creeping Phlox in Pink

Creeping Phlox is known for its ability to spread and cascade beautifully, providing a carpet of color. It attracts butterflies and is available in various shades of pink.

This stunning ground cover prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Creeping Phlox is drought-tolerant and is an excellent choice for rock gardens and slopes. Its hardiness zones is 3-9.

Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripe’:

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering ground cover plants
Flowering ground cover plants in pink shade: “Candy Stripe” Creeping Phlox

‘Candy Stripe’ is a variety of Creeping Phlox with charming pink flowers that have white stripes. It forms a dense mat of evergreen foliage.

It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. ‘Candy Stripe’ Creeping Phlox is often used in rock gardens, borders, or cascading over walls. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.

‘Candy Stripe’ Creeping Phlox adds a delightful twist to the typical pink flowers with its white stripes. It creates a stunning ground cover display in spring.

Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering ground cover plants
Flowering ground cover plants: purple flowers of Creeping Thyme

Creeping Thyme is a fragrant perennial ground cover with tiny leaves and clusters of pink flowers. Its foliage releases a pleasant aroma when crushed.

It prefers full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Creeping Thyme is drought-tolerant and is commonly used in rock gardens or as a filler between stepping stones. USDA zones 4-9.

Creeping Thyme not only provides a beautiful ground cover with pink flowers but also releases a fragrant scent. It attracts bees and butterflies and is deer-resistant.

Dianthus (Dianthus spp.):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering ground cover plants
Flowering ground cover plants: Dianthus

Dianthus is a diverse genus that includes ground cover species with pink flowers. The flowers vary in shape and size, but they are often fringed and have a charming appearance. Dianthus is often used in borders, rock gardens, or containers.

Dianthus is valued for its long-lasting blooms, fragrance, and low-growing habit. Some varieties are even perennial, adding color year after year.

Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering ground cover plants,

Corsican Mint is a low-growing, aromatic ground cover plant with small leaves and tiny pink flowers. The leaves have a delicate texture and release a refreshing minty scent when crushed.

It prefers partial shade and consistently moist soil. Corsican Mint is often used between stepping stones or in rock gardens. It is hardy in USDA zones 6-9.

Unique Characteristics: Corsican Mint is valued for its fragrance and ability to create a green carpet-like ground cover. It’s an ideal choice for areas where its minty scent can be enjoyed.

Mazus surculosus (Running Mazus):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering ground cover plants
Flowering ground cover plants: Running Mazus

Mazus surculosus, also known as Running Mazus, features small, round leaves and vibrant pink flowers. It forms a dense mat and spreads quickly.

It thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Mazus surculosus is an excellent choice for covering bare ground or slopes. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

In landscaping, Mazus surculosus is appreciated for its rapid spread and ability to cover larger areas quickly. It’s an ideal option for filling in gaps or adding pink color to the landscape.

Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’:

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering ground cover plants
Flowering ground cover plants: Sedum Spurium

‘Dragon’s Blood’ Sedum is a succulent ground cover with fleshy, deep red foliage. It produces clusters of pink flowers that contrast beautifully with the foliage.

It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. ‘Dragon’s Blood’ Sedum is drought-tolerant and often used in rock gardens or dry slopes. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.

If used in your garden, ‘Dragon’s Blood’ Sedum will add a unique touch of color with its deep red foliage and pink flowers. It’s a low-maintenance ground cover that thrives in harsh conditions.

Gypsophila repens ‘Rosea’:

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers
White Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers: Creeping Baby’s Breath

Gypsophila repens, or Creeping Baby’s Breath, features delicate pink flowers and fine, spreading foliage. It forms a dense mat and has a delicate appearance.

It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, hardiness zones 4 – 8. Creeping Baby’s Breath is often used in rock gardens, borders, or as a filler in flower beds.

‘Rosea’ Creeping Baby’s Breath is valued for its charming pink flowers that cover the ground cover. It adds a touch of airiness and elegance to the landscape.

These perennial ground covers with pink flowers provide a wide range of options for adding color, texture, and coverage to your garden or landscape. Consider their specific growing conditions, including sunlight, soil type, and hardiness zones, to ensure successful cultivation and vibrant pink displays.

Ground Cover with Yellow Flowers

When it comes to adding a sunny touch to your garden, these yellow ground covers are sure to brighten up your space:

Cinquefoil (Potentilla):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants
Ground cover with Yellow Flowers: Cinquefoil

Cinquefoil offers a carpet of yellow flowers that bloom in abundance. This perennial ground cover thrives in well-drained soil and is suited for a range of USDA zones, depending on the specific variety. With its vibrant yellow blossoms, cinquefoil brings cheerful color to your garden throughout the blooming season.

Spring Cinquefoil (Potentilla neumanniana):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants
Ground Cover with Yellow Flowers: Spring Cinquefoil

Spring cinquefoil is a charming ground cover with yellow flowers that are speckled with delightful red spots. It grows well in various USDA zones and prefers full sun to partial shade. This perennial gem blooms in spring, creating a striking display of yellow and red.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants,
Flowering Ground Cover Plants: Yellow Flowers

Creeping Jenny, with its trailing habit and bright yellow flowers, is a fantastic ground cover option. This perennial plant is highly adaptable, thriving in moist soil and full sun to partial shade. Depending on the USDA zone, it can bloom from spring to summer, adding a splash of vibrant yellow to your garden.

These yellow ground covers, with their carpet-like growth and beautiful blooms, are perfect for adding a cheerful touch to your outdoor space.

Red Flowering Ground Cover

Want to infuse your garden with the fiery allure of red? These vibrant red ground covers are here to create a stunning display:

Red Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants,
Flowering Ground Cover Plants: Red Periwinkle

Also known as Vinca, Red Periwinkle is a charming ground cover with striking red flowers. Thriving in well-drained soil and enjoying full sun to partial shade, this annual plant adapts to various USDA zones. From spring to fall, the blooming season paints your garden with a carpet of vibrant red blooms.

Red-horned Violet (Viola spp.):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants
Flowering Ground Cover Plants: Red Horned Violet

Add a touch of whimsy with Red Horned Violet, a delightful ground cover boasting unique red flowers. Flourishing in partial shade, this perennial beauty graces different USDA zones depending on the species. Its blooming season in spring and sometimes throughout summer brightens your garden with vibrant red hues.

Red Primrose (Primula vulgaris):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants
Flowering Ground Cover Plants: Red Primrose

Enhance your garden with the clusters of beautiful red flowers offered by Red Primrose. Thriving in well-drained soil and partial shade, this perennial ground cover adds charm to shady areas. Its blooming season in spring brings a splash of vibrant red to your outdoor space, depending on the specific variety and USDA zone.

With their eye-catching red flowers, these ground covers are perfect for adding a dramatic and colorful touch to your garden.

Purple and Blue Flowering Ground Cover

Get ready to introduce a wave of soothing blue hues to your garden with these delightful blue flowering ground covers.

Upright bugle (Ajuga genevensis):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants

Upright bugle, also known as Geneva bugleweed, is a charming blue perennial ground cover. It thrives in well-drained soil and is adaptable to a range of USDA zones.

With its upright growth habit, it produces clusters of small blue flowers, creating a carpet of vibrant blue. The blooming season typically occurs in spring or early summer, adding a splash of color to your garden.

Lithodora diffusa ‘Grace Ward’:

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants,

Lithodora diffusa ‘Grace Ward’ is an enchanting blue ground cover that offers stunning blue flowers. It prefers well-drained soil and is suitable for various USDA zones.

This low-growing perennial forms a dense mat of evergreen foliage, adorned with striking blue blossoms. Its blooming season typically begins in late spring and continues into summer, creating a captivating display of blue.

Bellflowers (Campanula):

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants,
Flowering Ground Cover Plants in Purple: Bellflowers

Bellflowers, with their delicate bell-shaped blue flowers, make an excellent choice for a blue perennial ground cover.

They prefer well-drained soil and are adaptable to different USDA zones, depending on the species. With their cascading growth habit, these charming plants bring a touch of elegance to your garden. Bellflowers typically bloom in the summer, showcasing their beautiful blue petals.

Whether you choose the Upright Bugle, Lithodora diffusa ‘Grace Ward’, or Bellflowers, their vibrant blue blooms will create a stunning visual impact and infuse your garden with natural beauty.

Ground Covering Vines

Ready to transform your garden with beautiful ground-covering vines? Check out these options that not only provide excellent coverage but also add beauty and charm to your outdoor space:

Bougainvillea:

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants, perennial ground cover,
Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers.

Bougainvillea is a stunning vine that can also be used as a ground cover. It thrives in warm climates and prefers full sun exposure.

Depending on the specific variety and USDA zone, Bougainvillea can bloom throughout the year or during the warmer months, displaying vibrant and showy bracts in various shades of pink, purple, red, or orange.

Crossvine:

Perennial Ground Cover with Flowers, Flowering Ground Cover Plants,
Flowering Ground Cover Plants: Crossvine.

Crossvine, scientifically known as Bignonia capreolata, is a hardy vine that works well as a ground cover. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can adapt to a range of USDA zones.

Crossvine produces trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow, adding a splash of color to your garden. Its blooming season usually takes place in the spring.

Whether you’re seeking a vine as ground cover or looking to create vertical interest, these vines are sure to add beauty and charm to your garden.

Annual VS. Flowering Perennial Ground Cover Plants

When it comes to ground cover plants, you have two main options: annuals and perennials. 

Annual ground cover plants are like the life of the party, bursting with vibrant blooms and colors for a single season. They’re perfect for adding instant beauty to your garden, but they will need to be replanted each year. 

On the other hand, flowering perennial ground covers are reliable friends that come back year after year, providing continuous coverage and beauty. Even though they may not bloom as long, they make up for it with their toughness and ability to handle different conditions. 

So, whether you’re drawn to the excitement of annuals or the long-term reliability of perennials, both options bring their own special advantages to your garden.

Small Perennial Flowers – Carpet Flowers Recap

In conclusion, if you’re looking to add a splash of color and beauty to your outdoor space, perennial ground covers with flowers are the perfect solution. 

When doin landscaping with ground cover, these flower beds not only add charm to your garden but also help keep weeds at bay. Whether you prefer purple, pink, yellow, white, or blue blooms, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from. 

They’ll transform your garden into a captivating oasis with minimal maintenance required. So, go ahead and explore the world of perennial ground covers with flowers. It’s time to bloom and beautify your outdoor space!

What is the best ground cover to prevent weeds in flower beds?

When it comes to keeping pesky weeds at bay and maintaining a weed-free flower bed, a popular choice is the Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis). This evergreen ground cover forms a dense mat of glossy green leaves that effectively suppresses weed growth.

What is the fastest growing flowering ground cover?

If you’re looking for a ground cover that spreads quickly and adds a burst of color to your garden, consider the Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum). This pleasant plant has tiny pink, red, or white plant life and is famous for its speedy boom charge. It’s a low-renovation choice that flourishes in complete sun and well-drained soil.

What is the name of the ground cover with purple flowers?

The ground cover with purple flowers you may be looking for is the Purple Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata). This charming perennial plant is well-known for its carpet-like growth and abundance of small, fragrant flowers in shades of purple.