• Bare patches in your yard and garden can be unsightly areas that attract weeds and dandelions if not taken care of. Groundcovers are a low-maintenance way of keeping these bare patches beautiful, free from weeds, and can help reduce erosion of the soil. With many different options, let the experts at Soil Service help you select a groundcover perfect for your lawn and garden!

    Different Types of Groundcovers

    • Low-growing shrubs
    • Herbaceous plants
    • Ornamental grasses

    Come by and see us today!

    Ajuga

    Care notes & varietiesGrowing basics for the plants on this page, from our free My Garden app

    Availability changes through the season, so call or stop by to check what’s in.

    Ajuga
    Ajuga
    Ajuga reptans
    • Part sun – shade
    • Moderate water
    • 4–8 in. tall × Spreading wide
    • Blooms April–May
    • Zones 3–9

    Kansas City: Fast carpet-forming groundcover with spring flowers and colorful foliage cultivars.

    • Pruning: Shear flower spikes and contain runners as needed
    • Feeding: Light to moderate. Usually during active spring growth; repeat only when the plant’s needs justify it.
    • Watering: Water regularly during establishment.
    Varieties to ask about
    Black ScallopBurgundy GlowCaitlin's GiantChocolate Chip
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    Creeping Phlox
    Creeping Phlox
    Phlox subulata
    • Full sun
    • Low – moderate water
    • 0.25–0.5 ft. tall × 1–2 ft. wide
    • Blooms March–May
    • Zones 3–9

    Kansas City: Full sun, 0.25–0.5 ft tall; blooms March–May. Usually skipped by rabbits.

    • Pruning: Cut back dormant stems in late winter or early spring; deadhead if desired.
    • Feeding: Light to moderate. Early spring as growth resumes; repeat only for active feeders or repeat bloomers.
    • Watering: Drought tolerant once established; water during establishment and prolonged drought.
    Varieties to ask about
    Candy StripeEmerald BlueEmerald PinkScarlet Flame
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    Sedum
    Sedum
    6 kinds in My Garden
    Varieties to ask about
    DragonAngelina
    See all 6 in My Garden ›
    Pachysandra
    Pachysandra
    2 kinds in My Garden
    Varieties to ask about
    CutleafGreen CarpetGreen SheenSilver Edge
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    Liriope
    Liriope
    2 kinds in My Garden
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    Creeping Thyme
    Creeping Thyme
    Thymus serpyllum
    • Full sun
    • Low water
    • 2–4 in. tall × 12–18 in. wide
    • Blooms June–July
    • Zones 4–9

    Kansas City: Low aromatic groundcover for sunny, sharply drained spaces and between stepping stones.

    • Pruning: Shear lightly after bloom if desired
    • Feeding: Light to moderate. Usually during active spring growth; repeat only when the plant’s needs justify it.
    • Watering: Water regularly during establishment.
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    Epimedium
    Epimedium
    2 kinds in My Garden
    Varieties to ask about
    Frohnleiten
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    Lamium
    Lamium
    Lamium maculatum
    • Part shade – shade
    • Moderate water
    • 6–10 in. tall × 12–24 in. wide
    • Blooms Spring–summer
    • Zones 3–8

    Kansas City: Part shade – shade, 6–10 in tall; blooms spring–summer. Deer resistant.

    • Pruning: Trim or thin as needed to control spread
    • Feeding: Light to moderate. Usually during active spring growth; repeat only when the plant’s needs justify it.
    Varieties to ask about
    Beacon SilverOrchid FrostPink PewterPurple Dragon
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    Creeping Juniper
    Creeping Juniper
    Juniperus horizontalis
    • Full sun
    • Low water
    • 0.5–1.5 ft. tall × 4–10 ft. wide
    • Blooms Not showy
    • Zones 3–9

    Kansas City: Low, spreading evergreen for slopes and hot, dry banks.

    • Feeding: Light. Spring: late March–April, before new growth starts.
    Varieties to ask about
    Bar HarborBlue ChipEmerald IsleHughes
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    Sedges
    Sedges
    6 kinds in My Garden
    Varieties to ask about
    EvergoldIce Dance
    See all 6 in My Garden ›
    Photo credits
    • Ajuga: Didier Descouens / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
    • Creeping Phlox: UpstateNYer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
    • Sedum: Stan Shebs / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
    • Woodland Stonecrop: Fritz Flohr Reynolds from USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (source)
    • Dragon's Blood Stonecrop: Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
    • Goldmoss Stonecrop: Ivar Leidus / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
    • Sedum Angelina: Frank Vincentz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
    • Pachysandra: Photo (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 (source)
    • Japanese Pachysandra: Kurt Stüber [1] / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
    • Liriope: Denis.prévôt / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
    • Creeping Lilyturf: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
    • Creeping Thyme: Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
    • Epimedium: Peter coxhead / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
    • Red Barrenwort: Salicyna / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
    • Lamium: Tomasz Kuran aka Meteor2017 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5 (source)
    • Creeping Juniper: SriMesh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (source)
    • Sedges: Chhe (talk) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (source)
    • Cherokee Sedge: Mason Brock (Masebrock) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (source)
    • Japanese Sedge Evergold: Photo by David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
    • Plantainleaf Sedge: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
    • Sedge Ice Dance: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (source)