Transforming your garden with walkable groundcovers is a practical and beautiful way to enhance outdoor spaces. These low-maintenance plants create a lush, green carpet between stepping stones or along pathways and help with weed suppression and reduce garden upkeep. Many of the best options are native to New Zealand, offering ecological benefits and a native touch. From the vibrant purple hues of Acaena Purpurea to the fragrant, culinary Creeping Thyme, these groundcovers thrive in various conditions and will add beauty and functionality to your garden for years.
Groundcovers are perfect for light foot traffic and thrive in free-draining soils. They typically have shallow root systems, so a well-prepared area incorporating a potting mix at planting time is essential to establish them. These low-maintenance plants will thrive and transform your outdoor space with regular watering, especially in summer.
Here are some of the best walkable groundcovers that are perfect for creating green carpets in your garden:
Pratia Angulata (NZ Native)
- Growth: Fast-growing, quickly establishes itself.
- Flowering: Produces abundant flowers from late spring to autumn, adding a long season of colour.
- Conditions: Thrives in shade but can tolerate sun if the soil remains well-watered. Requires maintenance to prevent it from spreading into unwanted areas.
Acaena Purpurea (NZ Native)
- Growth: A vibrant purple groundcover.
- Conditions: It is best in full sun or part shade; colours may fade in full shade. It needs well-worked soil to avoid bleaching when the plant dries out.
- Note: Adds a pop of colour to your garden with its unique purple hues.
Thyme Creeping
- Growth: A multipurpose perennial.
- Uses: Not only a decorative groundcover but also a culinary herb. Perfect for areas with limited root space.
- Flowering: White flowers appear in summer.
- Conditions: Requires full sun to thrive.
Scleranthus biflorus (NZ Native)
- Growth: Resembling moss, this low-maintenance groundcover spreads to form a lovely, compact mat.
- Conditions: Needs full sun to maintain a tight growth habit but can tolerate some partial shade.
- Height: Varies in mound height as it grows, adding texture to your garden.
Dichondra Emerald Green & Silver Falls
- Growth: These multi-purpose perennials are perfect for cascading down pots, hanging baskets, or covering the ground.
- Conditions: Excellent in areas with shallow soil, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
- Dormancy: In cooler climates, these plants become dormant in winter and bounce back in late spring.
Leptinella Platts Black (NZ Native)
- Growth: A dense mat-forming plant with small, fern-like leaves.
- Conditions: Suitable for sun or part shade. Prefers moist, well-drained soil to avoid browning during summer.
- Note: A colourful and versatile option that adapts to various garden spaces.
Using groundcovers like these in your garden helps with weed suppression and reducing maintenance and creates a softer, greener look for spaces that would otherwise be bare or filled with stones. Many of these plants are native to New Zealand, adding a unique, eco-friendly touch to your landscape. With the right care and selection, these walkable groundcovers will thrive and enhance the beauty of your garden.
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