10 Mediterranean garden ground cover plants

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Unlike other landscaping styles Mediterranean gardens rarely have expansive areas of lawn. This is because grass rarely grows well in hot and arid climates during the summer.

Even in cooler climates Mediterranean garden designs rarely incorporate lawns. Consequently, larger areas are dedicated to paving, gravels and planting borders.

This has many benefits including more horticultural interest and warmer temperatures. However larger borders generally mean more weeding!

For this reason, planting Mediterranean garden ground cover plants is an effective strategy. Ground covers can look very effective is gravel borders mixed with rocks and dry stone walls.

​Here I will list and describe 10 groundcover plants for the Mediterranean garden style. 

1. Euonymus fortuni ‘Silver Queen’

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Euonymus ‘Silver Queen’ is a familiar landscaping plant widely planted in private gardens and with public landscaping.

When planted in number, it forms a dense groundcover which can suppress weed establishment.

This groundcover is extremely hardy and tough being able to withstand both neglect and drought. Its light, silver foliage makes it the perfect groundcover for Mediterranean gardens.  
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2. Festuca ‘Glauca Blue’ 

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This strikingly beautiful, evergreen grass is favoured for its fine texture and light blue colour. When planted in blocks this clump forming grass becomes a carpet of blue within borders.

Its rustic look and low growing form makes it an effective ground cover for Mediterranean gardens. 
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3. Thyme

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Thyme is a very well known Mediterranean herb and is regularly planted for its aroma and flavour. However, Thyme has been traditionally underestimated as an effective landscaping groundcover plant.

When planted at high densities, Thyme makes a very effective Mediterranean garden groundcover which bees love. 
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4. Juniperus squamata blue star

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Some of the best ground covers not only fulfil their primary function but also look amazing!

​Juniperus blue star has one the most captivating foliage textures and colours of all low growing shrubs. This dwarf shrub adds the perfect Mediterranean effect to the front of beds and flower borders.  
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5. Creeping rosemary

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​Similarly to Thyme, Rosemary is celebrated for its culinary uses but not for its visual qualities. In regard to a groundcover Rosemary isn’t even on the map!

However this is because many have not familiarised themselves with Creeping Rosemary. This amazing, low growing, Rosemary can form one of the most interesting groundcover displays!

It’s rough, visual, texture and aromatic scent makes it the perfect Mediterranean ground cover plant. 
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6. Alchemilla mollis

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More commonly known as Ladys-Mantle this low growing groundcover is native to southern Europe. It has lime green foliage and spays of small yellow flowers during the summer.

​Its leaves have an umbrella, fan, shape which can help to blanket out weeds. Grown in groups it can provide a very vibrant coloured ground cover at the front of borders. 
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7. Heather

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Heather is typically associated with moors and mountainous uplands. However, the Mediterranean regions also have their very own native, heather, species.

​Heather does have many characteristics of other Mediterranean plants making it fit in to such gardens. These, course, groundcovers look very effective planted in gravel gardens or in amongst rocks. 

8. Lavender

​​If you want a ground cover plant in your Mediterranean garden then you have to at least consider lavender. Lavender is loved and celebrated as both a Mediterranean ground cover plant and herb.

​Lavender is generally better grown in drifts as it can become leggy after a few years. However its grey foliage and beautiful flowers makes it’s a must have. 
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9. Lamb’s ears

​Lamb’s ears are low growing members of the mint family originating from the Eastern Mediterranean. This plant has a clump forming nature and eventually spreads into a robust groundcover.

Its foliage has an attractive, silver sheen and is covered with fine white hairs. Its silver foliage and light purple flowers make it a novelty groundcover for a Mediterranean garden. 
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10. Dwarf mountain pine

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​The dwarf mountain pine or Pinus mugo is a small spreading pine tree native to the Balkans.

Far from a typical ground cover this tree can grow up to 6 metres. However if it is restricted and pruned its spreading habit can be encouraged.

​This dwarf pine can become an amazing tall groundcover for Mediterranean gardens. These almost bonsai like spreading pines look so effective panted in rock and gravel gardens. 
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​Thank you for reading our article on 10 groundcover plants for Mediterranean gardens. If you require Mediterranean garden landscaping services why not contact us. Below I have included some other articles you may find useful. 

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