Alternative Lawns | Groundcovers

Alternative Lawns | Groundcovers
Create an alternative lawn by carpeting your landscape with colorful, low-care groundcovers. These low-growing perennials are an indispensable part of any well-well designed garden and are perfect for replacing areas of lawn, large and small, especially difficult-to-mow hillsides. Use them as a āliving mulchā to cool the ground and suppress weed growth or for filling in spaces between flagstones and pavers. Knowing and understanding their tolerance to foot traffic is a key element in deciding what are the right groundcovers for your needs. Read about Groundcovers You Can Step On and Creating A Thyme Lawn.
To choose the best plants for your garden, use our filters at left.
To choose the best plants for your garden, use our filters below.
6" tall x 12" wide. Iberis sempervirens Purity is a tidy compact variety of Iberis that blooms in late spring with a profusion of bright white flower clusters. The mounding, evergree...
Learn MorePurity Dwarf Candytuft (Iberis) Purity Dwarf Candytuft Iberis sempervirens PurityAs low as $10.99 Sale $9.89Per Plant - 5" Deep Pot6" tall x 12" wide. Iberis sempervirens Purity is a tidy compact variety of Iberis that blooms in late spring with a profusion of bright white flower clusters. The mounding, evergreen foliage looks good year-round.Learn MoreLamium maculatum Orchid Frost (Orchid Frost Deadnettle) is showy, repeat blooming groundcover for shady areas with large orchid-pink flowers and frosty variegated foliage....
Learn MoreOrchid Frost Lamium Orchid Frost Dead Nettle Lamium maculatum Orchid FrostAs low as $7.99 Sale $6.79Per Plant - 2.5" PotLamium maculatum Orchid Frost (Orchid Frost Deadnettle) is showy, repeat blooming groundcover for shady areas with large orchid-pink flowers and frosty variegated foliage.Learn MoreDelosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet is dwarf hybrid Ice plant with a profusion of eye catching, dime sized flowers of scarlet and lavender. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant...
Learn MoreJewel of Desert Garnet Ice Plant Jewel of Desert Garnet Dwarf Ice Plant Delosperma Jewel of Desert GarnetAs low as $8.99 Sale $8.09Per Plant - 2.5" PotDelosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet is dwarf hybrid Ice plant with a profusion of eye catching, dime sized flowers of scarlet and lavender. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).Learn MoreDelosperma cooperi (Coopers Hardy Ice Plant) is covered with large magenta-pink flowers for much of the summer. A perfect groundcover where easy-care, high color is on the wish-list....
Learn MoreCooper's Hardy Ice Plant Cooper's Hardy Ice Plant Delosperma cooperiAs low as $6.99Per Plant - 2.5" PotDelosperma cooperi (Coopers Hardy Ice Plant) is covered with large magenta-pink flowers for much of the summer. A perfect groundcover where easy-care, high color is on the wish-list. It grows vigorously, creating a succulent carpet of color.Learn MoreAppalachian Sedge (Carex appalachica) is a native grass-like plant with thin, fine-textured leaf blades. Appalachian Sedge is an outstanding choice for use as an attractive grassy gr...
Learn MoreAppalachian Sedge Grass Appalachian Sedge Carex appalachicaAs low as $9.99Per Plant - 3.25" PotAppalachian Sedge (Carex appalachica) is a native grass-like plant with thin, fine-textured leaf blades. Appalachian Sedge is an outstanding choice for use as an attractive grassy groundcover for shade and heavy shade areas.Learn MoreOur 'Low Work and Water' Dwarf Fescue Lawn Seed Mix will create the ideal low water, low maintenance, low-growing turf grass for yards and play areas. Enjoy the beauty and benefits o...
Learn MoreLow Work and Water Dwarf Fescue Grass Seed Low Work and Water Dwarf Fescue Grass SeedAs low as $34.95 Sale $31.45Per 5 PoundsOur 'Low Work and Water' Dwarf Fescue Lawn Seed Mix will create the ideal low water, low maintenance, low-growing turf grass for yards and play areas. Enjoy the beauty and benefits of a turf grass lawn without all the work and water.Learn MoreMax Frei is a vigorous hybrid soapwort that blooms in mid- to late summer with hundreds of quarter-sized pink flowers. It's a large scale groundcover with attractive deep green folia...
Learn MoreMax Frei Saponaria Max Frei Giant Flowered Soapwort Saponaria lempergii Max FreiAs low as $8.99 Sale $8.54Per Plant - 2.5" PotMax Frei is a vigorous hybrid soapwort that blooms in mid- to late summer with hundreds of quarter-sized pink flowers. It's a large scale groundcover with attractive deep green foliage. An uncommon perennial that deserves wider use.Learn MoreVeronica pectinata (Woolly Speedwell) is one of our finest groundcovers. Growing with long stems of wooly evergreen foliage, the plants cover themselves with blue blooms, aging to la...
Learn MoreBlue Woolly Veronica Blue Woolly Speedwell Veronica pectinataAs low as $7.99Per Plant - 2.5" PotVeronica pectinata (Woolly Speedwell) is one of our finest groundcovers. Growing with long stems of wooly evergreen foliage, the plants cover themselves with blue blooms, aging to lavender-blue flowers in early to mid-spring. 2" tall x 18" wide.Learn MoreExclusive. Tiffindell Gold is a lush looking groundcover that can be used in flower beds or as a lawn substitute. This South African native has bright green, finely textured foliage ...
Learn MoreCreeping Gold Buttons (Cotula) Creeping Gold Buttons Cotula Tiffindell GoldAs low as $8.99 Sale $8.09Per Plant - 2.5" PotExclusive. Tiffindell Gold is a lush looking groundcover that can be used in flower beds or as a lawn substitute. This South African native has bright green, finely textured foliage and a profuse display of yellow button-like flowers in mid-summer. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric). A High Country Gardens introduction.Learn MoreBellium is a vigorous grower, covering itself with a multitude of 1/2" white daisies from late spring through the summer....
Learn MoreMiniature Mat Daisy (Bellium) Miniature Mat Daisy Bellium minutumAs low as $8.99 Sale $7.64Per Plant - 2.5" PotBellium is a vigorous grower, covering itself with a multitude of 1/2" white daisies from late spring through the summer.Learn MoreGazania Colorado Gold® (Colorado Gold® Treasure Flower) is a long-blooming, cold hardy perennial that covers itself with bright-yellow daisy-type flowers....
Learn MoreColorado GoldĀ® Gazania Colorado Gold® Treasure Flower Gazania linearis P004S Colorado Gold®$11.99Per Plant - 5" Deep PotGazania Colorado Gold® (Colorado Gold® Treasure Flower) is a long-blooming, cold hardy perennial that covers itself with bright-yellow daisy-type flowers.Learn MoreBig Leaf Variegated Periwinkle (Vinca major variegata) is large-leafed evergreen, that grows equally well in full sun or deep shade. The quarter-sized purple flowers appear in late s...
Learn MoreBig Leaf Vinca Big Leaf Periwinkle Vinca major variegataAs low as $8.99 Sale $8.09Per Plant - 2.5" PotBig Leaf Variegated Periwinkle (Vinca major variegata) is large-leafed evergreen, that grows equally well in full sun or deep shade. The quarter-sized purple flowers appear in late spring. Excellent for sloped areas. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric). 8" x 36" wide.Learn MoreVeronica oltensis (Thyme Leaf Speedwell) is a beautiful, tenacious, small scale groundcover with thin stems of tiny evergreen leaves that cover themselves with blue flowers in early ...
Learn MoreThyme-Leaf Veronica Thyme-Leaf Speedwell Veronica oltensisAs low as $8.99Per Plant - 2.5" PotVeronica oltensis (Thyme Leaf Speedwell) is a beautiful, tenacious, small scale groundcover with thin stems of tiny evergreen leaves that cover themselves with blue flowers in early to mid-spring. Veronica oltensis is a little beauty that serves as an excellent crack filler between flagstone or pavers. Thyme Leaf Speedwell is a drought resistant/drought tolerant perennial plant (xeric).Learn MoreTurkish speedwell is one of our showiest blue flowered groundcovers native to the mountains of Turkey. Spreading stems of evergreen foliage root as they spread across the soil and co...
Learn MoreTurkish Veronica Turkish Speedwell Veronica liwanensisAs low as $7.99Per Plant - 2.5" PotTurkish speedwell is one of our showiest blue flowered groundcovers native to the mountains of Turkey. Spreading stems of evergreen foliage root as they spread across the soil and cover themselves with bright blue flowers in late spring.Learn MoreRed Mother of Thyme blooms with showy rose-red flowers in late spring and grows to form thick mats of tiny, deep green leaves. Not as xeric as some other varieties, this one needs re...
Learn MoreRed Mother-of-Thyme Red Mother-of-Thyme Thymus serpyllum CoccineumAs low as $7.99 Sale $7.19Per Plant - 2.5" PotRed Mother of Thyme blooms with showy rose-red flowers in late spring and grows to form thick mats of tiny, deep green leaves. Not as xeric as some other varieties, this one needs regular moisture.Learn More1" tall x 8-10" wide. Fabulous needle shaped leaves and bright pink flowers make Thymus neiceffii (Juniper Leaf Thyme) a garden treasure. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (...
Learn MoreJuniper Leaf Thyme Juniper Leaf Thyme Thymus neiceffiiAs low as $7.99 Sale $7.19Per Plant - 2.5" Pot1" tall x 8-10" wide. Fabulous needle shaped leaves and bright pink flowers make Thymus neiceffii (Juniper Leaf Thyme) a garden treasure. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).Learn More10" tall x 18" wide. A heat loving plant that thrives in sunny, dry areas along baking south and west facing walls and pavement areas. Spreading rapidly on shallow roots when the hot...
Learn MoreShowy Pink Evening Primrose Showy Pink Evening Primrose Oenothera speciosus Rosea$10.99Per Plant - 5" Deep Pot10" tall x 18" wide. A heat loving plant that thrives in sunny, dry areas along baking south and west facing walls and pavement areas. Spreading rapidly on shallow roots when the hot summer weather arrives, give this beauty plenty of room to grow as it will overrun smaller, less vigorous plants. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).Learn MorePink Creeping Thyme is an outstanding selection with glossy, dark green leaves covered with light pink flowers pushing form rose-pink buds in early summer. This variety is impressive...
Learn MorePink Creeping Thyme Pink Creeping Thyme Thymus praecox ssp. arcticus CoccineusAs low as $7.99Per Plant - 2.5" PotPink Creeping Thyme is an outstanding selection with glossy, dark green leaves covered with light pink flowers pushing form rose-pink buds in early summer. This variety is impressively xeric, with tough woody stems. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).Learn More1" tall x 18" wide. Pink Chintz Thyme (Thymus Pink Chintz) is a tight, low growing creeping thyme with thick stems of woolly green foliage that blooms in mid-spring with a profusion ...
Learn MorePink Chintz Creeping Thyme Pink Chintz Creeping Thyme Thymus serpyllum Pink ChintzAs low as $7.99 Sale $6.79Per Plant - 2.5" Pot1" tall x 18" wide. Pink Chintz Thyme (Thymus Pink Chintz) is a tight, low growing creeping thyme with thick stems of woolly green foliage that blooms in mid-spring with a profusion of salmon-pink flowers.Learn MoreDoone Valley has varigated yellow and green foliage that is intensely lemon scented. It grows as a mounded plant and blooms in summer with lots of pink flower clusters covering the p...
Learn MoreDoone Valley Lemon Thyme Doone Valley Lemon Thyme Thymus citriodorus Doone ValleyAs low as $7.99Per Plant - 2.5" PotDoone Valley has varigated yellow and green foliage that is intensely lemon scented. It grows as a mounded plant and blooms in summer with lots of pink flower clusters covering the plant.Learn More4-5" x 15-18" wide. This Old World wildflower is an outstanding groundcover for sun and part sun areas. It blooms in late spring with a profusion of bright pink, pollinator attractin...
Learn MoreSaponaria ocymoides Rock Soapwort Saponaria ocymoidesAs low as $7.99 Sale $7.19Per Plant - 2.5" Pot4-5" x 15-18" wide. This Old World wildflower is an outstanding groundcover for sun and part sun areas. It blooms in late spring with a profusion of bright pink, pollinator attracting flower clusters.Learn More1" tall x 18" wide. Silver Nailwort is a tough-as-nails groundcover with tiny green thyme-like leaves and silver seed heads that look like white flowers. Recommended as an improved ...
Learn MoreParonychia (Silver Nailwort) Silver Nailwort Paronychia kapela ssp. serpyllifoliaAs low as $7.99 Sale $7.19Per Plant - 2.5" Pot1" tall x 18" wide. Silver Nailwort is a tough-as-nails groundcover with tiny green thyme-like leaves and silver seed heads that look like white flowers. Recommended as an improved substitute for white thyme because it's more durable and drought tolerant. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).Learn MoreHerman's Pride Variegated Yellow Archangel is one of our best Old World groundcovers for shade and semi-shade. Lamiastrum galeobdoblon Herman's Pride features short spikes of bright ...
Learn MoreHerman's Pride Archangel (Lamiastrum) Herman's Pride Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon Herman's PrideAs low as $7.99Per Plant - 2.5" PotHerman's Pride Variegated Yellow Archangel is one of our best Old World groundcovers for shade and semi-shade. Lamiastrum galeobdoblon Herman's Pride features short spikes of bright yellow flower are held over variegated silver and green foliage, Blooms in late spring.Learn MoreHardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is one of the most versatile groundcovers for cold climates growing in both sun and shade and most soil types. Plumbago blooms in late su...
Learn MoreHardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma) Hardy Plumbago, Leadwort Ceratostigma plumbaginoidesAs low as $8.79 Sale $8.35Per Plant - 2.5" PotHardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) is one of the most versatile groundcovers for cold climates growing in both sun and shade and most soil types. Plumbago blooms in late summer with deep blue flowers followed by the foliage that turns burgundy red in fall.Learn More
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The following items are either out of season or we've sold out of our inventory. Please feel free to browse our selection and sign up for our newsletter below to be notified when these products are available for next season! We often have similar items available, so please utilize our search or filters (on the left) to explore other options. Or, call us at (800) 925-9387 for help.
- Phlox subulata Drummond's Pink
- Veronica prostrata Dick's Wine
- Leptinella squalida Platt's Black
- Phlox subulata Scarlet Flame
- Stachys coccineus
- Lemhi Purple Creeping Phlox
- Hantamberg Orange Gazania
- Butterscotch Baby Gazania
- Boulder Mountain Pussy Toes (Antenaria)
- Cleopatra Oregano
- Prairie Phlox
- Solid Gold Salvia
- Large Flowered Stonecress (Aethionema)
- Sonoma Coast Yarrow
- Shades of Pink Creeping Phlox
- Gold On Blue Prairie Zinnia
- Scarlet Tanager Gazania
- Alpine Blue Mint Bush (Zizophora)
- Gold Nugget Ice Plant
- White Nugget Ice Plant
- Mesa VerdeĀ® Ice Plant
- Lesotho Pink Ice Plant
- Sweet Woodruff (Gallium)
- Dwarf Silver Evening Primrose
- Carpeting Pincushion Flower (Pterocephalus)
- Partridge Feather (Tanacetum)
- Reiter Creeping Thyme
- Blue Yonder Veronica
- Woolly Turkish Veronica
- Fringed Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe)