June 4, 2025, 12:55 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Under shrubs, trees, or in sparsely planted areas, weeds often spread—wherever the ground remains uncovered, they find ideal conditions. However, those who want to prevent natural wild growth can opt for fast-growing ground covers: They quickly take over open spaces and leave little chance for weeds. myHOMEBOOK presents five particularly suitable types.
Ground covers serve multiple purposes in the garden: They cover bare areas under trees or in beds and prevent weeds from spreading there—making tedious weeding unnecessary. At the same time, they protect the soil from sun and wind, reducing evaporation and increasing moisture content. Another advantage: Many ground covers bloom beautifully, transforming bare spots into flowering carpets. In this article, you’ll find five fast-growing ground covers.
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Fast-Growing Ground Covers
1. Cushion Phlox
Cushion Phlox, also known as Carpet Phlox, is part of the flame flowers and originally comes from North America. The plant grows creeping and has minimal requirements for soil and location. It can be used almost anywhere. However, it thrives particularly well in rock gardens, on slopes, or under shrubs where other ground covers struggle.
As early as spring, Cushion Phlox forms dense carpets of red, white, or violet flowers. Due to its origin, Carpet Phlox is winter-hardy here and retains its dark green, needle-like leaves even in the cold season.
Also interesting: 7 easy-care ground covers that are also edible
2. Periwinkle
Periwinkle comes in small and large varieties. The Large Periwinkle differs, as its name suggests, only by having larger leaves and flowers as well as longer shoots. Once planted, the Large Periwinkle spreads into a dense carpet up to 15 centimeters high, quickly greening especially shady areas.
The Small Periwinkle is overall a bit smaller and not quite as fast at covering bare areas. In April and May, and occasionally in the fall, Periwinkle bears violet or white flowers. Even in winter, Periwinkle, true to its name, remains dark green.
3. Cotoneaster
Ground-covering, winter-hardy, and an important plant for flora and fauna: That’s the Cotoneaster. It is also known as Rock Cotoneaster or Cotoneaster. Creeping Cotoneaster species prefer to conquer rock gardens, walls, or stone bed borders. They root in the gaps, creating a new habitat. The fine white, red, or pink flowers attract many pollinating insects from June onward.
Once the red fruits, reminiscent of mini rose hips, have ripened, they become an important food source for birds well into winter. Since blackbirds especially feast on the fruits, the Cotoneaster is also called the Blackbird Bread Tree. Creeping Cotoneasters are winter-hardy and evergreen, quickly taking over rock gardens and other less hospitable garden corners.
4. Ivy
Ivy often spreads on its own in shady and slightly wild gardens. If not regularly contained, it can become a nuisance, spreading massively in hedges, shrubs, or on house walls.
However, if you just want to green a bare area under a tree easily, Ivy is a great choice. The evergreen plant quickly spreads its long shoots, which develop roots upon contact with the ground. Regularly trimmed, Ivy remains manageable and easy to care for. The fine flowers are an important nectar source for many insects.
5. Mazus
Mazus also forms a dense, flowering, and evergreen carpet as a fast-growing ground cover, bearing blue-violet, bell-shaped flowers in May.
Originally from the Himalayan region, Mazus is accordingly resistant to weather extremes such as severe frost or drought. Only in the height of summer does the evergreen plant occasionally need a little water.
Ground Covers for the Lazy
“Neatly raked beds without weeds: For many gardeners, a desirable sight in their own garden, but also labor-intensive to maintain. Ground covers are therefore the perfect plants for ‘lazy gardeners,’ or those who prefer a green garden that requires little maintenance and less water. The flowers also provide pollinators with an additional food source. Fast-growing ground covers like Cotoneaster feed many birds well into winter. The presented types are not only for the lazy but also for the smart gardener.