Grass cannot grow everywhere in the garden. Alternatively, you can plant walkable ground covers. We introduce you to some varieties.
Wherever lawn in the garden does not grow well, low-growing ground cover can serve as a lawn substitute. The plants grow in almost all locations, are easy to care for and mostly hardy. Many groundcovers are hardwearing, but less resilient than regular turf. That is why they are primarily used as ornamental lawns.
1. Hazelroot
Hazel root (Asarum europaeum) is a slow-growing plant. It is characterized by its ginger-scented roots and highly glossy leaves.
Features:
- Evergreen
- Hardy
- Flowering period: March to April
- Growth: 5 - 10 cm
- Flowers: red-violet, bell-shaped, light pepper scent
- Planting: shady locations
Compared to other ground cover plants, the hazel root is less hard-wearing. Frequent walking can lead to unsightly walkways.
Note: Hazelroot is poisonous. To be on the safe side, the plant should not be used as a lawn substitute if children and pets live in the household. The walkable area is generally only to be entered with shoes, otherwise skin reactions may occur.
2. Stonecrop
The stonecrop (Sedum acre) is well suited as a lawn replacement and for greening small areas. It is an easy-care and extremely robust groundcover that forgives even small care mistakes. The lush flowers create a summery ambience in the garden.
Features:
- evergreen
- hardy
- Flowering period: June to September
- Growth: 5 - 15 cm
- Flowers: yellow, star-shaped
- Planting: sunny (dry) locations
Stonecrop is a creeping, cushion-forming perennial that can also be walked on with bare feet. The tread is perceived as very comfortable.
3. Feather Pads
Cotula is a hardy cushion perennial. Visually, their green is reminiscent of small ferns. Compared to other ground covers, the ground cover remindsmost likely to a conventional lawn. It can be cut like a normal lawn, resulting in a straight and well-groomed surface. However, this is not absolutely necessary. The plant only grows slightly in height.
Features:
- evergreen (depending on variety)
- hardy (depending on variety)
- Flowering period: May to September
- Growth: 5 - 10 cm (depending on location)
- Flowers: soft yellow, honey-scented
- Planting: sunny to semi-shady
Feather padding is step-resistant, but with heavy use, walkways can develop due to constant walking on it. Some varieties of the cotula are hardy. During the winter months they form a copper-red to black foliage.
4. Horn Sorrel
The horn sorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is actually not a perennial ground cover. In the cold season, it usually dies above ground, while the roots survive the winter in the ground. In the spring they often ensure that they sprout again.
Features:
- no wintergreen
- Partially hardy
- Flowering period: May to November
- Growth: up to a maximum of 20 cm
- Flowers: yellow
- Planting: preferably shady location, slightly acidic soil conditions
Horn sorrel is also known as yellow sorrel. Since the plant is one of the weeds and is proliferating, it should be planted with care as a ground cover. Nevertheless, it is popular with many gardeners. The leaves are edible and add a fresh touch to salad dressings with their fruity, sour taste. Wood sorrel is also said to have healing powers. For example, it is used against various physical ailments.
5. Crimson Deadnettle
The purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) belongs to the mint family. It has a dense growth and can cover soil very well. It is best known as a medicinal plant.
Features:
- evergreen
- hardy (very robust)
- Flowering period: March to October
- Growth: uncut up to 45 cm
- Flowers: purple
- Planting: semi-shady to shady location, sandy, poor soil provides
- no problem
Deadnettle should be trimmed occasionally to keep it low and can be used as a lawn substitute.
6. Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) isa low-growing ground cover that is almost predestined as a lawn replacement.
Features:
- evergreen
- hardy
- Flowering period: July to September
- Growth: up to 5 cm
- Blossoms: pink to soft lilac, profusely blooming
- Planting: partially shaded location
The soft pennyroyal can also be walked on barefoot without any problems.
7. knotweed
The knotweed (Muehlenbeckia axillaris) as a ground cover plant is ideal for creating an area that can be walked on. The easy-care ground cover forms a dense, hard-wearing cushion for normal use.
Features:
- wintergreen
- frostproof
- Flowering period: June to July
- Growth: 5 - 10 cm
- Flowers: yellow-green, star-shaped
- Planting: like a sunny location
The growth width is up to 1.5 meters per plant. In autumn the green leaves turn reddish-brown.
8. Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a hardy ground cover. This makes it ideal as a lawn substitute.
Features:
- evergreen (partly evergreen)
- hardy
- Flowering period: June to September
- Growth: up to 15 cm
- Flowers: white, yellow in the middle
- Planting: partially shaded to sunny location
A normal strain stimulates the growth of the plant. On the other hand, excessive stress, for example caused by children romping and running, can restrict growth.
9. Star Moss
Star moss (Sagina Subulata) is not a real moss, but is one of the fattening herbs. The beautiful plant brings a touch of elegance to the garden.
Features:
- evergreen
- hardy
- Flowering period: June to August
- Growth: up to about 5 cm
- Flowers: white, star-shaped
- Planting: semi-shady to shady
Due to its cushion-like growth, star moss can easily replace a normal lawn. That is why it is popular with many garden owners.
10. Cotoneaster
Another gem in the garden is the cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri) with its differently colored leaves, flowers and fruits. The plant belongs to the rose family and is best known for repelling weeds.
Features:
- evergreen
- hardy
- Flowering period: May to August
- Growth: up to 15 cm
- Flowers: red, pink, violet, cream, white
- Planting: preferably sunny location (likes moist soil)
Like star moss, cotoneaster is a good ground cover that can be walked on and is a good substitute for lawns. It is ideal for planting small areas.
Note: The cotoneaster develops red berries that are slightly poisonous. They can cause symptoms of poisoning in small children and pets, such as swelling of the mouth and lips and burning sensation in the mouth.
11. Thyme
Thyme (thymus) is one of the most popular herbs in the garden. Many thyme varieties grow upright. There are also creeping species that can replace conventional lawns as ground cover.
Features:
- evergreen
- hardy
- Flowering period: April to September
- Growth: 2 - 10 cm
- Flowers: white-purple, soft purple, violet, red (color depends on the variety)
- Planting: preferably sunny location
Thyme varieties that can be walked on, such as Thymus praecox Minor or Thymus cherlerioides, are fast-growing and hard-wearing.
12. Carpet Verbena “Summer Pearls”
The Japanese carpet verbena "Summer Pearls" (Phyla nodiflora) is a fast-growing, extremely hardy plant and therefore ideal for creating a flowering lawn. The ground cover even allows for heavier loads such as playing football.
Features:
- evergreen
- hardy
- Flowering period: May to October
- Growth: 3 - 4 cm
- Flowers: white-pink
- Planting: sunny location
The carpet verbena 'Summer Pearls' is a hardy perennial that tolerates both wet and dry conditions.
Advantages of ground cover as a lawn replacement
Many groundcovers are evergreen, hardy and offer a number of advantages as a lawn substitute. They are easier to maintain than regular lawns. Their use can improve soil quality. The plants offer protection against dehydration and weeds. At the same time, they have a special ornamental value and attract butterflies and bees.