Ground cover plants can be a real boon for the garden. They fill in space and are often low-maintenance plants. There are ground cover plants suitable for sunny and shady locations and for a range of climate and soil conditions. Flowering ground covers add some extra beauty during the growing season. We’ve gathered up a lovely assortment of flowering ground cover plants in shades of purple to create some colorful drama in your garden.
Why choose purple flowering ground covers
Purple hues bring depth and contrast to landscapes, helping to highlight foliage textures and architectural lines. These plants tolerate a variety of conditions-from dry, sunny slopes to shaded borders-and many are drought-tolerant, thriving with minimal irrigation once established. A thoughtful mix of textures and bloom times creates continuous interest from spring through autumn.
15 outstanding purple-flowering ground covers and related notes
- Lamium (purple dragon dead nettle) - A colorful shade-loving ground cover with two-toned leaves; fast-spreading but not invasive in the Purple Dragon cultivar. Trim once or twice per season to keep in check.
- Creeping phlox (Phlox sublata) - Also known as moss phlox, with small five-petaled blossoms in orchid pink to lavender tones; spreads quickly without overtaking other plants; thrives in partial to full sun.
- Heavenly Blue (Lithodora diffusa) - Tiny violet-blue funnel-shaped flowers; evergreen mat-forming and deer-resistant; best in partial to full sun with well-drained soil.
- Campanula 'Blue Waterfall' (Serbian bellflower) - Low-growing with pale purple star-shaped flowers; blooms all summer; suitable for ground cover, edging, or spilling over rock walls.
- Creeping phlox (pale violet) - A variation noted for soft pastel violet tones; good weed suppression and non-invasive behavior with occasional trimming.
- Pulmonaria 'Mrs. Moon' (Lungwort) - Shade perennial with pale green, spotted foliage and spring trumpet-shaped flowers ranging pink to blue; prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
- Geraniums (cranesbill) - Ground-covering varieties with cascading habit and violet blooms; 'Rozanne' offers long-lasting color with deadheading for a second flush.
- Trailing lobelia (Lobelia erinus) - Often grown as annual; tender perennial in zones 10-11; blooms in cool colors and attracts butterflies.
- Campanula portenschlagiana (Dalmatian bellflower) - Low-growing with tiny violet cup-shaped flowers; tolerates partial sun or shade; prune faded blooms to refresh foliage.
- Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple' (Woodland phlox) - Spring bloomer with purple flowers; thrives in partial to full shade and spreads slowly from its clump.
- Dianthus deltoides (pinks) - Ground-cover dianthus with blue-green leaves; long-blooming flowers in a wide color range; deadheading promotes new buds.
- Sweet alyssum - Delicate-looking annual that forms a dense mat; reseeds in suitable climates and offers white to purple bi-colors; excellent edging and weed suppression.
- Asters (Woods’ purple variety) - Short, compact ground cover with weeks of color from late summer to autumn; prefers well-drained, loamy soil that stays fairly moist.
- Catmint (Nepeta) - Fragrant perennial with blue-green foliage and spreading habit; 'Cat's Pajamas' is a compact cultivar with spikes of blue-purple blooms; prefers sunny, sandy sites.
- Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume' - Spring-blooming woodland phlox with pale periwinkle flowers; reliable spring color and good for division and spread.
Practical tips for planting purple ground covers
- Match the function to the site: cover bare spots, stabilize slopes, edge beds, or underplant trees.
- Assess light and soil: some prefer full sun and well-drained soil, others thrive in partial shade or moist roots.
- Consider drought tolerance: many listed are drought-tolerant once established, reducing irrigation needs.
- Maintenance mindset: many require deadheading, occasional trimming, or division every few years to maintain vigor and prevent invasiveness.
- Spacing matters: plan for gradual spread to avoid overcrowding; some species spread by stolons or rhizomes and will fill spaces on their own.
Additional notes on specific selections
The Ice Plant and related succulents referenced in landscape contexts can provide bold, pink blooms and drought tolerance, forming a dense carpet in sunny areas with low water needs. While not all purple ground covers are succulents, choosing a mix that includes both succulents for color on hot slopes and perennials for seasonal interest can create a resilient, low-maintenance landscape.
My Favorite Non-Invasive Ground-Covers For Sun and Shade! Tough and Versatile. //FlowerFanatic
Ground covers suit a variety of spaces, from woodland shade to sunny embankments. When selecting, consider not only color but growth habit, bloom time, and compatibility with existing garden styles. For instance, Lamium provides dependable shade coverage, creeping phlox offers spring spectacle, and heather-like Lithodora adds subtle evergreen texture along with color.
Table: quick reference by light and soil
| Plant | Light | Soil | Bloom | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamium (Purple Dragon) | Partial to shade | Well-drained | Spring-summer | Non-invasive in cultivar; trim to control spread |
| Creeping phlox | Full to partial sun | Moist, well-drained | Spring to early summer | Spreads; good on slopes |
| Heavenly Blue | Partial to full sun | Well-drained | Summer | Night deer-resistant; evergreen mat |
| Campanula 'Blue Waterfall' | Full sun to partial shade | Well-drained | Summer | Prolific blooms, low maintenance |
| Lamium maculatum (Spotted dead nettle) | Partial to full shade | Moist, well-drained | Spring to fall | Can be invasive; edge bed |