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English gardens are celebrated for their generous flower borders and historical elegance. English garden borders are often broad and well structured.
Such generous planting schemes often require low growing ground cover plants to the front of flower beds. English garden groundcovers provide fine visual textures and also help to suppress weeds. In this article I list and summarise 10 of the best ground cover plants for English gardens. 1. Ostrich fern
With lush, tall fronds, ostrich fern is a majestic plant that can add a touch of natural beauty to any garden. It can reach an impressive height of up to five feet, creating a stunning visual display. This fern forms dense colonies, effectively crowding out any unwanted weeds that may try to take root in the area. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil conditions and prefers partial shade, making it an ideal choice for damp areas in traditional English gardens. The feathery foliage of the ostrich fern not only adds a delicate texture and elegant appeal to the garden, but also helps to suppress the growth of undesirable plants. 
2. Cranesbill geraniumCranesbill geraniums are incredibly hardy plants that produce bright and colorful blooms in the spring. These eye-catching flowers are accompanied by lush, green foliage that remains attractive all year round or for most of the year, depending on the variety. What makes cranesbill geraniums truly remarkable is their ability to thrive in a wide range of soil conditions, although they do best in well-draining soil. These low-growing, mounded plants are perfectly suited for use as ground covers or edging plants in English-style gardens. When planted around taller perennials or shrubs, these groundcover plants add a pop of color and help suppress weeds due to their dense growth habit. 
3. Creeping thyme
A wonderful choice for sunny spots in English gardens, Creeping Thyme is a small, aromatic plant that can tolerate dry conditions very well. They form a dense, low-growing mat of tiny leaves and beautiful pink or purple flowers. This groundcover plant does best in poor, alkaline soil. You can use Creeping Thyme in many creative ways. Plant it between pavers or along walkways to create fragrant stepping stones that also help prevent weeds from growing. The plant is also a great choice for planting on top of walls or retaining walls, where it will spill over the sides in a lovely cascade of color and scent. With its ability to thrive in harsh conditions, Creeping Thyme is a versatile and tough addition to any garden. 
4. Lilly of the valleyThe lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a delightful and fragrant flowering plant. It produces charming bell-shaped white blossoms that gracefully hang along arching stems. Beneath these elegant blooms, you'll find vibrant green, linear leaves that add to the plant's dazzling beauty. This woodland ground cover thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil and prefers partial to full shade conditions. When planted in shaded corners, these delicate beauties create captivating, natural displays that will bring a touch of fancifulness to your outdoor space. 
5. HeucheraHeucheras, or coral bells, are small perennial plants that are famous for their stunning foliage. These plants form lovely round clusters of lobed leaves in a variety of vibrant colors, ranging from deep burgundy red to bright chartreuse yellow. The leaves often have intricate patterns or veining that adds to their beauty. Heucheras thrive in consistently moist yet well-draining soil conditions and prefer partial to full shade environments. With their mounding growth habit and eye-catching foliage, these groundcover plants make excellent additions to English-style garden borders, providing textural interest and a pop of color. 
6. Ladies mantleLady's Mantle is a lovely plant with soft, rounded leaves and clusters of tiny, star-shaped yellow flowers. This plant can grow in many types of soil and light conditions. You can plant Lady's Mantle in flower beds with other plants, in pots, or by itself as ground cover. Lady's Mantle will add texture and interest to your garden through the seasons. It brings charm and beauty to any garden area. With its versatility and attractive features, Lady's Mantle is a great choice for creating beautiful garden landscapes. 
7. Lilly turfLily Turf, popularly called monkey grass, is a hardy evergreen plant with the scientific name Liriope spicata. Its striking features include dark green, elongated leaves resembling swords and upright spikes adorned with lavender-purple blooms. This resilient ground cover thrives in well-drained soil conditions and prefers partial shade environments. Throughout the year, Lily Turf offers a visually appealing and structured presence, making it a delightful addition to traditional English gardens. 
8. Creeping JuniperThe creeping juniper, known scientifically as Juniperus horizontalis, is a marvelous evergreen ground cover that requires minimal effort for upkeep. Its needle-like foliage boasts a striking blue-gray color, adding a touch of natural beauty to any landscape. This hardy plant is highly adaptable, thriving in diverse soil conditions and demonstrating remarkable resilience against heat and drought. As a result, the creeping juniper emerges as an exceptional choice for covering banks, slopes, or rockeries, particularly in English-style gardens. 
9. LavenderLavender is a wonderful plant that brings a delightful fragrance and beautiful violet flower spikes to English gardens. These plants, scientifically known as Lavandula angustifolia, thrive in chalky or alkaline soils and require full sun exposure. Lavender is an excellent choice for ground cover, as it attracts pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Additionally, lavender serves as an elegant edging plant, providing a beautiful border around pathways or garden beds. 
10. BergeniaBergenias, scientifically known as Bergenia cordifolia, are remarkable ground cover plants. Their wide, lush leaves spread across the ground horizontally, forming a thick mat that effectively covers bare spots and prevents weeds from growing. Bergenias have strong, deep roots that create an extensive network underground, ensuring they remain stable and resilient even in harsh conditions. In spring, they produce beautiful rose-pink or pure white flowers on tall stems, adding ornamental value to your garden while serving as excellent ground cover. Bergenias seamlessly combine structural support, lush foliage, and stunning floral displays, making them ideal for traditional English gardens. 
Thank you for reading our article on the best ground cover plants for English gardens!
If you require garden drainage services do not hesitate to contact us. Based in Amersham, we provide a wide range of garden landscaping services including: paving, patios, driveways, paths, edging, raised beds, garden drainage, lawn drainage, gardening, fencing, new lawns, garden walls, ponds, re-levelling, planting, wildlife gardens and vegetable gardens. Our landscaping services cover a 10 mile radius from Amersham and typically cover: Amersham, Aylesbury, Bovingdon, Chalfont, Chesham, Hyde Heath, Great Missenden, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Penn, Beaconsfield, Tring, Gerrard's Cross and Denham.
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