21 Native Groundcovers
for Ontario Gardens
Groundcover plants have a lot of uses in gardens, from reducing maintenance, preventing weeds or mitigating erosion. Unfortunately, many groundcovers sold in traditional nurseries, such as Vinca or Lilly of the Valley, are very invasive and often spread to natural areas, out-competing native plants. By using native groundcovers instead, we can provide all the same benefits while improving our environment.
The groundcovers in this article are generally low growing, fast spreading and form dense covering over the soil. Some will tolerate higher foot traffic if grown in-between turf grass. I have made note of this for each plant.
In this article, you will find information on what the fastest growing groundcovers are, which ones can tolerate foot traffic and what groundcovers will grow in the shade. Many of our native groundcovers are drought tolerant and good for filling in trouble areas.
Native Groundcovers:
Growing conditions: Full sun to shade, moist to average, 60cm tall.
An adaptable, fast growing, low maintenance ground cover. It spreads vigorously by rhizomes to create a solid carpet of leaves. In late spring, showy white flowers with yellow centers rise above the leaves and have a long bloom time. It can overwhelm smaller plants, so keep this in mind. However, it’s the perfect ground cover for areas where it can run wild. Does not tolerate foot traffic.
Growing conditions: Sun, dry, 15cm.
A ground-hugging, super drought tolerant, evergreen groundcover with silvery-green foliage. Spreads quickly by runners. Attractive spring blooms that become fluffy seed heads. Host plant for painted lady butterflies. Great for erosion control in the driest of sites. Easily overwhelmed by taller plants. Salt tolerant and tolerates medium foot traffic.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Growing conditions: Sun to part shade, dry to average, acidic soil 30cm tall.
A ground-hugging, evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves. In mid spring it features nodding pink flowers that turn into red berries in the fall. The foliage turns burgundy in the fall, lasts through winter, then greens up again in the spring. Tolerant of urban pollution. Slow growing.
Silverweed (Argentina anserina)
Growing conditions: Sun to part sun, dry to moist, well-draining, <20cm tall.
If you need a fast-growing, drought tolerant ground cover for sun then Silverweed is for you! Stunning silvery-green foliage and long blooming yellow flowers. Grows vigorously by runners that root as they go. It may overwhelm smaller plants so it’s best suited to large gardens or as an under-story for taller plants. Excellent for erosion control, especially for sandy sites. Tolerates occasional foot traffic.
Growing conditions: Shade, deep shade, moist to dry, 20cm tall.
A classic groundcover for shade gardens! Wild Ginger shows off lush, heart-shaped leaves and does an excellent job at covering the ground. The unique, burgundy flower rests on the ground and is not visible unless you lift a leaf. Ginger spreads slowly but steadily to form colonies. It spreads by rhizomes and , to a lesser extent, seed. Fragrant stems.
Growing conditions: Sun to shade, dry to average, 30cm tall
A great grass-like, evergreen groundcover or lawn alternative! Use as a stand-alone ground cover or around taller species. Great for stabalizing slopes. Host plant for a variety of skippers. Interesting spring blooms. Tolerates medium foot traffic.
Bunchberry Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
Growing conditions: Full shade, moist, rich soils, 22cm tall.
A lush ground cover in shady, moist areas. It spreads at a moderate pace by rhizomes to form a lush carpet of leaves which turn a vibrant red colour in the fall. In late-spring, star-like flowers appear above the leaves and fade to bright red berries by late summer. This is a very low maintenance ground cover but it will not tolerate foot traffic at all!
Robin’s Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus)
Growing conditions: Sun, dry to average, 60cm tall (when flowering).
Robins Plantain forms a dense carpet of low-growing, paddle-shaped, hairy leaves. In spring, it send up delicate, aster-like flowers atop slender stems. It preforms best in nutrient poor soils, making it good for rock gardens, and is very drought tolerant. It spreads at a moderate pace by stolons and self-seeding. Very attractive en masse!
Running Strawberry (Euonymus obovatus)
Growing conditions: Shade, average to moist, rich soil, <30cm tall.
A seldom-used ground cover but definitely deserves time in the spotlight. It has a low, trailing habit and greens up early in the spring. The small, green flowers are not much to look at, however, the real attraction is the spiky, pink seed pods. As they mature, bright red seeds are revealed which add dots of red to the late summer garden. In addition, the foliage turns beautiful shades of red in the fall. Does not tolerate foot traffic!
Growing conditions: Shade to part shade, dry to average, 30cm tall.
Broad, heart-shaped leaves spread by rhizomes to form a carpet of leaves. Individual plants don’t bloom every year but, when they do, they show off with flat-topped clusters of lavender blooms. Tolerates dry shade.
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade, dry to moist, <15cm tall.
A fast-spreading, salt tolerant, adaptable ground cover with pleasing spring blooms. Tolerates road salt, compaction, drought and light foot traffic. Forms a dense carpet in full sun but will tolerate light shade. It is very competitive in sunny areas and will smother plants smaller than itself.
Growing conditions: Shade to part sun, moist to dry, < 60cm tall.
A wonderful, medium height ground cover with deep green leaves and a mounding form. The bell-shaped spring blooms range in colour from white to purple to lavender. Spreads quickly by self-seeding so its a good choice for erosion control or covering a large space.
Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Growing conditions: Sun, dry, rocky soils, 45cm tall.
A ground-hugging, drought tolerant spreading juniper with blue-green foliage. Often spreading upwards of 20ft out (you can prune it smaller). It thrives in dry, open areas with sandy or rocky soils. Intolerant of shade and poor drainage.
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Growing conditions: Shade part sun, moist, 1.8m tall
An elegant fern with ostrich plume foliage and a vigorous growth habit. It really needs consistent moisture to thrive and will go brown by mid summer if moisture requirements are not met. A great choice for quickly covering a moist shady spot!
Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens)
Growing conditions: Shade to part sun, dry to moist, < 10cm tall.
A low, trailing, evergreen groundcover that can handle acidic soils. Tiny, pinkish white flowers bloom in spring and give-way to small red berries that persist into winter months. Both berries and flowers are small but contrast nicely with the evergreen foliage. Slow growing. Tolerates occasional foot traffic but generally doesn’t like to be disturbed.
Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)
Growing conditions: Shade, dry to moist, 15cm tall.
A low growing ground cover with broad, glossy leaves and frothy white flower clusters in late spring. The flowers turn into red berries by the fall. In ideal conditions it will spread non-aggressively by rhizomes to form lush carpets of foliage. A great alternative to the invasive Lily of the Valley.
Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea)
Growing conditions: Full sun to shade, average to moist, 60cm tall.
Golden Ragwort is an easy to grow, adaptable groundcover. In late summer it features a profusion of vibrant yellow blooms that stand out in the shady landscape. It spreads easily by rhizomes to form dense, weed-suppressing carpets of foliage. Self seeds into bare spots. An absolute stunner when planted en masse!
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Growing conditions: Shade, part shade, moist but well-drained soil, 25cm tall.
Bloodroot blooms very early in the spring, before its leaves even unfurl. The pure-white flowers with yellow centers only last a day or two but they are truly an impressive sight. Large, heart-shaped leaves unfurl shortly after the flowers fade and remain attractive into the fall months. They will spread at a moderate pace by rhizomes to form a lush carpeting ground cover.
Growing conditions: Shade, part shade, moist to average, rich soil, 25cm tall (when in bloom).
A ground-hugging ground cover with evergreen, heart-shaped leaves. In spring, small spires of creamy white flowers rice above the foliage. Expect it to spread via runners to form a dense, weed suppressing carpet. Plays well with other plants. Does not tolerate foot traffic.
Blue Violet (Viola sororia)
Growing conditions: Shade to sun, dry to average, 20cm tall.
highly adaptable, fast growing groundcover. It often gets a bad reputation because of this, however it is a very versatile plant if used correctly. best used as a groundcover under taller plants as it can overwhelm small plants. It greens up and flowers very early in the spring. Use it as a solitary groundcover or pair it with Wild Strawberry. If grown in-between turf grass it can tolerate medium foot traffic while increasing the biodiversity of your lawn.
Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)
Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade, dry to average, prefers rich soils, <15cm tall.
An adaptable, evergreen groundcover with glossy green leaves and yellow spring blooms. Spreads quickly by rhizomes to push out weeds, even in shade. Good for covering slopes to prevent erosion. Attractive fall foliage! Tolerates light foot traffic.
