Why You Should Consider Ground Covers and Ornamental Grasses in Your Landscape
Why You Should Consider Ground Covers and Ornamental Grasses in Your Landscape
When planning a garden or landscape, most people immediately think of colorful flowers, shrubs, or trees. While these elements certainly create beauty and structure, two often-overlooked garden stars can transform your outdoor space while reducing maintenance and improving long-term performance: ground covers and ornamental grasses.
These versatile plants bring texture, movement, color, and practical benefits that many traditional landscape plants cannot match. Whether you want to reduce water use, cover difficult areas, prevent weeds, or simply create a more polished and natural appearance, ground covers and ornamental grasses deserve a place in your garden plan. So, you know the drill, grab yourself a nice cup of coffee, pull up your chair, grab your metaphorical trowel and let’s dig in to Ground Covers and Ornamental Grasses!
What Are Ground Covers?
Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread horizontally to form a dense layer over the soil. Unlike turf grass, ground covers often require less mowing, less watering, and less maintenance while adding visual interest.
Ground covers can be evergreen or seasonal and are commonly used in:
- Sloped areas
- Around trees
- Along pathways
- Between stepping stones
- Under shrubs
- Areas where lawn struggles
Their ability to fill space quickly makes them both practical and attractive.
Benefits of Ground Covers
1. Reduce Weeds Naturally
One of the biggest advantages of ground covers is weed suppression. Once established, they create a living mulch that blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds.
Less exposed soil means fewer opportunities for unwanted plants to emerge, reducing time spent weeding and maintaining garden beds.
2. Help Retain Soil Moisture
Ground covers shade the soil surface and reduce evaporation.
This means:
- Less frequent watering
- More stable soil temperatures
- Reduced drought stress
For gardeners in dry climates or regions with water restrictions, this can make a noticeable difference.
3. Prevent Soil Erosion
Ground covers are excellent for stabilizing soil, especially on hillsides or sloped areas.
Their root systems help anchor the soil while foliage slows rainwater runoff.
This protection preserves valuable topsoil and reduces landscape damage.
4. Lower Maintenance Than Traditional Lawns
Traditional lawns often require regular mowing, edging, fertilizing, and watering.
Many ground covers require significantly less upkeep once established.
That means more time enjoying your garden and less time maintaining it.
Popular Ground Cover Choices
Different plants serve different landscape goals.
Popular options include:
- Creeping thyme
- Sedum
- Creeping phlox
- Ajuga
- Sweet woodruff
- Ice plant
- Native low-growing species
*When selecting ground covers, make sure to consider your climate, sunlight conditions, and growth habits.
Why Ornamental Grasses Deserve Attention
Ornamental grasses bring an entirely different dimension to the landscape.
Unlike traditional flowering plants, ornamental grasses create movement, structure, and texture that evolve throughout the seasons.
They come in sizes ranging from compact border grasses to dramatic tall grasses, these plants can fit nearly any design style.
Benefits of Ornamental Grasses
1. Add Year-Round Interest
Many ornamental grasses remain attractive well beyond their growing season.
Their seed heads and dried foliage provide:
- Winter structure
- Seasonal texture
- Visual interest even when flowers fade
In colder climates, grasses can become one of the most attractive elements in the winter landscape.
2. Create Movement and Softness
Few plants interact with wind the way ornamental grasses do.
Their swaying motion adds life and energy to a garden that static shrubs and flowers often cannot provide.
This movement creates a calming, natural feel in outdoor spaces.
3. Require Less Water
Many ornamental grasses are highly drought tolerant once established.
Their deep root systems help them survive dry periods with minimal irrigation.
For water-conscious landscapes, grasses are often an excellent alternative to thirsty lawns and annual plantings.
4. Support Wildlife
Ornamental grasses provide shelter and habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife.
Seed heads can feed birds, while dense foliage creates safe nesting areas.
Native grass varieties can be especially valuable for supporting local ecosystems.
Popular Ornamental Grass Choices
Some well-loved options include:
- Fountain grass
- Blue fescue
- Maiden grass
- Mexican feather grass
- Switchgrass
- Muhly grass
Choose varieties based on mature size and local growing conditions.
Combining Ground Covers and Grasses
One of the most effective landscape techniques is pairing ground covers with ornamental grasses.
The contrast between spreading foliage and upright grass creates depth and visual balance.
For example:
- Use ground covers beneath tall grasses
- Plant grasses as focal points surrounded by low-growing plants
- Combine textures for a layered, natural appearance
Together, these plants create landscapes that feel full and intentional without requiring excessive maintenance.
Things to Consider Before Planting
As with any landscape decision, planning matters.
Ask yourself:
- How much sun does the area receive?
- Do I need drought tolerance?
- Will the plant spread aggressively?
- How much maintenance am I comfortable with?
Research mature size and growth habits before planting.
Smart Landscaping That Works With Nature
Ground covers and ornamental grasses offer far more than decoration. They improve soil health, conserve water, reduce maintenance, and create dynamic landscapes that remain attractive throughout the year.
Whether you’re replacing a difficult lawn area, softening hardscape features, or designing a more sustainable garden, these plants offer practical beauty that works with nature—not against it.
Sometimes the most impactful garden choices aren’t the loudest blooms—they’re the plants quietly doing the work beneath and around them.
