15 Best Flowering Ground Covers for Sun

Flowering ground covers for Sun filled yards are the perfect solution when growing grass is a challenge. If you are searching for a garden solution to a garden area that is problematic, consider ground covers as an option. Ground Covers can address many common garden problems.  

Best flowering ground covers for sun filled gardens just might be the solution. Searching for ideas that can address those troublesome bare garden areas in your yard? Consider using ground covers. Ground covers can be the solution to those tricky bare soil garden spots where grass just won’t grow. 

Plant ground covers on slopes, banks, and across small to large garden areas. Ground covers help retain moisture and soil. Some ground covers can even prevent erosion of topsoil with its much needed nutrients. They aid in weed suppression while adding texture and color to the garden. They have minimal maintenance once they are established. 

Take a look at these 15 flowering ground covers for Sun filled yards. And be sure to let us know what you think.    

1. Liriope Big Blue 

An evergreen ground cover, Liriope Big Blue is also known as Lilyturf and Monkey Grass. Liriope Big Blue grows in zone 5 to 10 in mostly shady to full Sun. Big Blue reaches 14 inches tall. And blooms from early thru late Summer with blue floral spikes. Grass-like foliage with blooms that are followed by clusters of black berries. Tolerates normal, acidic, sandy, and clay soil conditions. Resistant to deer. Stands up to foot traffic. Plant on a slope or bank as a ground cover. Tolerant of dry shade, humidity, shade, and seaside salt conditions.

 2.  Ophiopogon planiscapus  

Ophiopogon planiscapus is also known as Black Mondo. Black Mondo has dense, purplish-black grass-like foliage. Grows in zone 5 to 10 in full shade to full Sun. Reaches 5 to 6 inches tall with a spread of 5 to 6 inches. Blooms in the Summer. Resists deer, disease, pests, and rabbits. Plant in flower beds and borders. Because of the dramatic look of Back Mondo, it is often used in Asian gardens. 

3. Chrysogonum virginianum Pierre 

Chrysogonum virginianum Pierre is also known as Golden Star. With soft green, clump-forming foliage, Golden Star produces star-shaped golden flowers. Foliage remains green in milder climates. Grows in zones 5 to 9 in mostly shady to full Sun. Reaches 8 inches tall. Blooms from late Spring thru early Fall. Yellow blooms A long-blooming evergreen ground cover. Tolerant of shade and dry shade conditions. 

4. Blue Ice Amsonia 

Prolific bloomer with clusters of blue starry flowers. Blue Ice Amsonia is an upright perennial. Foliage becomes showy in the fall with bright yellow foliage. Grows in zones 5 to 9 in part to full Sun. Reaches 20 to 24 inches tall with a spread of 20 to 24 inches wide. Blooms Spring and Summer. Grow in flower beds and borders. Striking effect when planted en masse. 

5. Thyme Flowering Ground Covers for Sun 

Creeping Thyme Coccineus 

An evergreen flowering ground cover. Creeping Thyme Coccineus is can be grown in part shade as well as full Sun. Grows in zone 5 to 8 in full Sun. Reaches 1 to 3 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 18 inches wide. Fragrant blooms appear from early to mid Summer. A bee friendly perennial that attracts butterflies. Resistant to deer. Plant Thyme in rock gardens or use in an alpine garden setting. Aids in erosion control. Works well in small garden spaces. 

Thymus Spicy Orange or Creeping Thyme

A low growing ground cover with low mats of texture and scent, the Thymus Spicy Orange is quite useful in the garden. Produces a carpet of lavender-pink flowers over the Summer. Grows in zones 5 to 9 in full Sun. Reaches 2 to 4 inches tall. Blooms from early to mid Summer. Pink blooms and tolerates normal or sandy soil conditions. Useful when planted between stepping stones and in cracks. Thymus prefers good drainage. Evergreen ground cover. Plant on a slope or bank as a ground cover. Beneficial for pollinators and is resistant to deer. Tolerates moderate foot traffic and releases a spicy-orange perfume. 

6. Alexander’s White Candy Tuft 

An evergreen ground cover. Low growing woody perennial. White Candy Tuft is semi-evergreen in colder areas. Blooms are pure white clusters and grows in zone 3 to 9 in full Sun. Reaches 6 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 18 inches wide. Blooms in late spring and early to mid fall. Attracts butterflies with resistance to rabbits and deer. Plant in full sun in a rock garden, between crevices or on a slope. Or plant in containers. Candy Tuft is one of my personal favorites. It is one of the first to bloom in our garden each Spring.  

7. Grace Ward Lithodora  

Tidy rosemary-like leaves, the Grace Ward Lithodora has dainty star like blue flowers. Grows in zone 5 to 10 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 6 to 10 inches tall with a spread of 16 to 24 inches wide. Blooms Spring and Summer. Grace Ward likes acidic, well-draining soil. Plant in rock gardens or stone areas of the garden.  

8. Tidal Pool Speedwell 

Densely mounding perennial. Blooms are vibrant tiny, bright blue with white eyes. Tidal Pool Speedwell’s foliage is green with silvery gray overtones. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full Sun. Reaches 3 inches tall with a spread of 30 inches wide. Blooms from mid to late Spring. Attracts butterflies. Tolerates drought, heat, and humidity conditions. Resistant to pests and disease. Cold Hardy. Tolerates normal, loamy, clay, sandy, and poor soil conditions.  

9. Creeping Phlox – Flowering Ground Covers for Sun

Scarlet Flame Creeping 

With star-shaped, magenta-red blooms, the Scarlet Flame phlox creates a dense mat of 6 inches blooms. An evergreen ground cover that is drought tolerant. Grows in zone 3 to 9 in full Sun. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches wide. Blooms from mid to late Spring. Plant in rock gardens or use in an alpine garden setting. Native perennial that is resistant to deer and attracts butterflies. Use in steep banks and rock walls.  

Emerald Blue Creeping Phlox 

An evergreen ground cover with pale lavender blue flowers in the Spring. Emerald Blue Creeping Phlox grows in zone 2 to 9 in full Sun. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches wide. Blooms from early thru late Spring. Plant in rock gardens or use in an alpine garden setting. A native perennial that is resistant to deer. And attracts butterflies. Once established, Emerald Blue Creeping Phlox is drought tolerant. 

Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox – a Flowering Ground Cover for Sun

Foliage is matted and moss-like in appearance. Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox is native to dry, rocky areas and woodlands of the Appalachian mountains. Grows in zone 3 to 9 in full Sun. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches wide. Blooms in Spring. Resistant to deer. Tolerant of drought and heat conditions. Plant in sunny garden beds, borders, or containers. And plant along rock walls, as edging, and on slopes. Good drainage is essential. 

Purple Beauty Creeping Phlox 

A springtime mat of bright purple blooms paired with deep violet center eyes appears with a grass-like foliage. Purple Beauty creeping phlox is an evergreen ground cover. Grows in zone 3 to 9 in full Sun. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches wide. Blooms from mid to late Spring. Sweetly fragrant blooms that draws butterflies. A native perennial that is resistant to deer. Tolerant of drought conditions. Plant in rock gardens or use in an alpine garden setting.  

10. Campanula Portenschlagiana  

Campanula Portenschlagiana also known as Dalmation Bellflower and Bellflower. Ground cover perennial, this Campanula Portenschlagiana will trail over walls, rock gardens, and between stepping stones. Blooms are light blue, bell-shaped flowers. Foliage  has rounded leaves crinkle and irregularly toothed. Grows in zone 3 to 8 in mostly shady to full Sun. Reaches 6 to 9 inches tall. Blooms from late Spring to Summer. Tolerates normal or clay soil conditions. Beneficial for pollinators. Tolerant of shade and humidity conditions. Plant in containers. The Dalmation Bellflower requires shade in Southern warmer climates. 

11. Geranium Flowering Ground Covers for Sun

Biokovo or Cranesbill, Perennial Geranium  

Originally from the Biokovo Mountains in Europe, Biokovo Geranium has masses of pink centered white flowers from late Spring until early Summer. Ground cover perennial with aromatic low-spreading mat of fragrant foliage turning red in the Fall. Grows in zone 5 to 8 in mostly shady to full Sun. Reaches 6 to 12 inches tall. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Tolerates normal, acidic, or sandy soil conditions. Beneficial for Pollinators and attracts butterflies. Resistant to deer. Tolerant of shade and dry shade conditions. Plant on a slope or bank as a ground cover. Use in container gardening. Provides Winter interest to the garden.  

Johnson’s Blue Geranium – a Flowering Ground Cover for Sun

Blue flowering Geranium. Johnson’s Blue Geranium grows in zones 4 to 8 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 15 to 18 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches wide. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Resistant to rabbits and deer and attracts butterflies. Also can be grown in containers.  

Max Frei Geranium

Fragrant magenta purple blooming ground cover. Max Frei geranium has ferny foliage. Grows in zones 3 to 8 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 6 to 8 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches wide. Blooms from early to late Summer. Bee friendly and attracts butterflies. Resistant to rabbits and deer. Lovely when planted en mass. 

12. Sedum – Flowering Ground Covers for Sun

Sedum x sedoro Blue Elf  

Clusters of fragrant dark-pink flowers open from red buds on Blue Elf Sedum. Also known as Stonecrop.  With frosty gray-blue foliage and an overcast of plum color. Fragrant ground cover perennial with compact mounded form. Grows in zones 4 to 9 to mostly sunny to full Sun. Reaches 3 inches in height. Blooms late Summer thru early Fall. Tolerates normal or sandy soil conditions. Attracts butterflies and is resistant to rabbits. Plant on a slope or bank as a ground cover. Tolerant of hot dry shade and seaside salt conditions.  

Sedum x ellacombianum Cutting Edge  

Ground cover perennial with scalloped green foliage trimmed in a band of chartreuse yellow. Cutting Edge Sedum is also known as Stonecrop. Cutting Edge has glowing rosettes are accented with starry yellow flowers. Grows in zones 4 to 6 to mostly sunny to full Sun. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall. Blooms from mid to late Summer. Tolerates normal or sandy soil conditions. Tolerates normal or sandy soil conditions. Attracts butterflies and is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Plant on a slope or bank as a ground cover. Tolerant of hot dry shade and seaside salt conditions. 

Firecracker Sedum – a Flower Ground Cover for Sun

Ruby red succulent foliage opens with a slight mint green on compact, low growing, upright plants. The Firecracker Sedum is also known as Stonecrop. And grows in zones 4 to 9 in full Sun. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall with a spread of 16 to 18 inches wide. Blooms in the Summer. Attracts butterflies with resistance to rabbits and deer. Tolerant of drought weather conditions. Plant along garden borders. And use as cut flowers in arrangements.  

13. Dianthus – Flowering Ground Covers for Sun

Paint the Town Magenta Dianthus 

This variety of Pinks has a fragrance that is light and clove-scented. Paint the Town Magenta repels pests with its fragrance. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 6 to 8 inches tall. Blooms are dark pink and magenta with blue green foliage. Blooms late Spring to Summer and mid Fall. A fragrant long blooming perennial that attracts pollinators and butterflies. Tolerant of heat, humidity, drought, and cold conditions. Plant in garden beds, borders, or containers.  

Raspberry Surprise Dianthus 

Fragrant 2 inch double pink flowers with burgundy-red eyes. Raspberry Surprise Dianthus has blue-green foliage. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 6 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 15 inches wide. Blooms in the Spring with resistance to rabbits and deer. Plant near rockeries, on border edges, and in containers.  

14.  Cerastium tomentosum Silver Carpet  

Blooms are white flowers with silvery-gray foliage. Cerastium tomentosum Silver Carpet is also known as Snow in Summer and Starry Grasswort. Silver Carpet cascades over walls to add a vertical look to the garden. Grows in zones 3 to 8 to mostly sunny to full Sun. Reaches 8 inches tall. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Tolerates normal, acidic, or sandy soil conditions. Resistant to deer. Tolerant of hot dry sites.  

15. Oxalis crassipes Rosea  

Oxalis crassipes Rosea also known as Wood Sorrel, Pink Wood Sorrel, and Strawberry Oxalis. Five petaled sparkling pink flowers float above clover-like bright green foliage. A mounding ground cover with three lobes and clover-like stems. Grows in zones 5 to 9 in part shade and part Sun to full Sun. Reaches 10 inches tall. Blooms late Spring to late Summer. Tolerates normal and acidic soil conditions. Attracts Butterflies. Plant in containers and use as cut flowers in an arrangement. 

These are 15 flowering ground covers for a Sunny yard. Useful plants to solve a variety of garden problems. From weed control to soil retention and low maintenance garden plants. If you try any of these ground covers for sunny gardens let us know how you make out. 

Interested in gardening? If you found this helpful . . .

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And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We always are ready to help you out. Thank you for dropping by. 

Mary