Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

I have come to the conclusion that planting out bedding plants every year is too labour intensive and back breaking for me to do anymore. I want to plant things which don't get too big - either in height or width - and possibly evergreen. I would appreciate any ideas. I have a large garden with quite a lot of beds which do have some perennials but too much space for weeds to get in between when they die back in the winter.

Re: Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

Hypericum, conifers, low growing ones, heathers, hebes: lovely because they look like topiary and have nice flowers, good value for money. Potentilla are pretty, you can get some ground cover roses. Berberis, cotoniaster (may have spelled that wrong) you could grow some box trees and shape them, nice hobby.

Re: Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

Thanks Twizard - they all sound like good possibilities especially the Hebes.

Re: Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

Rockery plants are good for ground cover. Herbs, lavender, heuchera (lots of nice colours) rhubarb have lovely big leaves, bergenia too, vinca minor (periwinkle) has pretty blue flowers. You could even plant ivy and a variegated one would be nice.
Some plants don't like too much shade though.

Re: Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

I was also about to suggest Vinca.
You can get a variegated form and that's nice.
How about Clematis ? You can grow them without supports so they cover the ground and there are evergreen varieties. I have a small leaved one who's name escapes me

Re: Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

Have you considered putting a weed supressant ground cover down before planting zinnia? It's a time consuming job but well worth it. Goodbye to weeding.

Re: Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

oh yes I agree I have only had to buy a few bedding plants this year as I have planted shrubs and ground cover everywhere,and the benefit is also no weeds as there isn't room for them.
Ajuga is brilliant ground cover and you can buy it in different varieties
http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourc....0.IA8yWDT7kQg

Re: Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

I have a ground cover evergreen that I call 'Ground Honeysuckle'; it probably has another name but it is evergreen and has tiny Honeysuckle shaped flowers in late summer. Thyme is also good but I suggest looking around your area to see what grows well in your soil and climate. Already mentioned, Vinca is a low maintenance ground cover, grows anywhere.

Re: Best Small Ground Cover Shrubs

Thanks for all your very good suggestions - hopefully next year my garden will be much easier on my poor back and still looking nice and tidy.