How to Choose the Right Ground Cover for Your Landscape

Ground-cover plants can do a lot of good for the environment because they can fill in spaces that would be empty or covered in mulch otherwise. They can also help cut down on upkeep work by keeping the soil moist and stopping weeds from growing.

Yet, there are variety of choices, including soil, mulch, low-growing plants, and even fake grass. How do you figure out which is best for your yard? Here are some tips to help you choose a ground cover that works well in your area and makes your landscaping look great.

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Make a List of Your Landscape Goals.

To begin, step back and think about what you want to do. Are you going for low maintenance? Drought tolerance? Do you want something purely functional, like weed suppression, or are you after more of a decorative vibe?

For example:

• Low maintenance: Mulch, gravel, or drought-tolerant ground covers like creeping thyme are great options.
• Pet- or kid-friendly: Soft ground covers like clover or turf alternatives can be more forgiving underfoot.
• Aesthetic boost: Consider bark mulch or decorative stones that complement your plants and hardscape.

Knowing your goal narrows down your choices right away.

Know Your Climate and Soil

Your climate matters a lot. Some ground covers thrive in cool, shady areas, while others are made for full sun and dry soil. If you're in a hot, dry area like much of Southern California, you'll want something that won't need constant watering to survive.

This is where mulch shines. It acts as a blanket over your soil, locking in moisture and helping regulate temperature. Organic mulches-like bark or wood chips-also break down over time and improve your soil quality.

If you're not sure what your soil is like, grab a handful and give it a feel. Sandy soil drains fast, while clay holds water. The right ground cover can help balance out those extremes. And if you're not into DIY soil testing, reaching out to a local expert like North County Mulch can make it easy. They know the local conditions and can recommend materials that make sense for your yard.

Sun vs. Shade

Some ground covers love the sun, while others will wilt in it. Before picking anything, figure out how much sunlight your yard gets during the day. You might even have microclimates-like one shady corner and one hot, sunny slope.

For sunny areas, try:

• Creeping thyme - Fragrant, low-growing, and loves the heat.
• Gravel or decomposed granite - Super low maintenance and perfect for modern or desert-style gardens.
• Mulch - Keeps soil cool and cuts down on water needs.

For shady spots, go with:

• Moss or ferns - Great for moisture-loving gardens.
• Ajuga or pachysandra - Hardy, ground-hugging plants that fill in fast.
• Bark mulch - Helps reduce soil compaction and holds up well under tree cover.

Consider Foot Traffic

This one's important-will people be walking across this area regularly? If yes, you'll want something durable.

For high-traffic areas:

• Flagstone with ground cover joints (like thyme or moss) looks great and stands up to use.
• Gravel or crushed stone is tough and drains well.
• Artificial turf works if you want a no-mow solution with a consistent appearance.

For low-traffic areas:

• Mulch is perfect-it cushions the soil, discourages weeds, and doesn't mind being left alone.
• Living ground covers like sedum or chamomile can thrive and add softness to your space.

Water Needs

No one wants to spend their weekends dragging a hose around. That's why water-wise landscaping is becoming the go-to for many homeowners.

Ground covers that save water include:

• Mulch (especially bark or wood chips) - Holds moisture in the soil and can reduce the need to water as frequently.
• Succulent ground covers - Low water needs and high style points.
• Gravel - Doesn't use any water, though it doesn't cool the soil like mulch does.

This is another area where a local supplier can be super helpful. They can guide you toward drought-friendly materials that make sense for your property-whether you're battling dry soil or just looking to conserve.

Style Matters Too

Let's not forget about the overall look. Your ground cover should blend with the overall style of your home and landscape.

• Modern or minimalist homes? Gravel, black mulch, or slate chips can create a clean, sleek look.
• Cottage or rustic gardens? Wood mulch, pine needles, or creeping flowering ground covers can soften everything beautifully.
• Coastal or tropical themes? Try bark mulch with lush, broadleaf plants to keep that natural vibe going strong.

Colors and textures make a difference. A rich, dark mulch can make green plants pop, while lighter-colored stones can brighten up shady areas.

Don't Be Afraid to Mix It Up

Who says you have to choose just one ground cover? Some of the most interesting landscapes incorporate a variety of materials. Mulch can be used around trees and shrubs, gravel roads through flower beds, and a patch of low-growing ground cover near a sitting area.

Mixing things up keeps your landscape active and visually appealing while also improving the functionality of various portions of your yard.

Conclusion

The goal of selecting the appropriate ground cover is to improve the functionality, aesthetics, and homey feel of your environment, not only to fill in space.  Consider how you utilize your landscape, the level of maintenance you are willing to perform, and how your climate affects it.

The proper ground cover is the base that connects everything, regardless if you're redesigning an outdated flower bed or preparing for an entire landscape improvement.