Looking to fill gaps between stepping stones, brighten shady spots, or find a low-maintenance alternative to lawn? Groundcovers are the garden’s quiet workhorses—spreading beauty, controlling erosion, and softening hard edges without demanding much in return.

At Hinsdale Nurseries, we grow and stock groundcovers that thrive in Chicagoland’s unique conditions (Zone 6a), and we’ve curated a list—from sun-loving bloomers to shade-tolerant spreaders. Whether you’re designing a living path, edging a bed, or softening a slope, these selections deliver texture, color, and function.

Full Sun Groundcovers

Emerald Blue Creeping Phlox

Soft, light-blue blooms blanket this mat-forming favorite in spring. Its semi-evergreen foliage is great for draping over walls, edging rock gardens, or filling dry, sunny gaps.
Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Best spot: Borders, slopes, between rocks
Soil: Drier to moist, well-drained

Emerald Pink Creeping Phlox

Bright pink flowers offer a burst of spring color while forming a dense carpet that’s ideal for sunny areas. Like its blue cousin, it thrives in drier to moist soils and needs little once established.
Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Best spot: Sunny edging, rock gardens, walls

Yellow Stonecrop Sedum

This sun-loving succulent groundcover has bright green waxy leaves and cheerful yellow flowers in summer. Foliage deepens to rich red, orange, and purple in fall.
Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Best spot: Rock gardens, sunny slopes, between pavers
Soil: Dry

Sun to Part Shade Groundcovers

Golden Creeping Jenny (Moneywort)

A bright, chartreuse trail of round leaves adds a pop of color to partially shaded spots. It thrives near water features and looks stunning spilling from containers.
Best spot: Streambeds, containers, shaded borders
Soil: Moist, well-drained

Blue Star Creeper

A favorite between stepping stones, this sun-loving plant produces star-shaped blue blooms from late spring through summer and stays low and tidy.
Best spot: Pathways, patios, containers
Soil: Moist, well-drained

Irish Moss

Bright green and delicate-looking, Irish Moss is perfect between pavers in part-shade to sun. While not drought-tolerant, it thrives with consistent watering.
Attracts: Butterflies
Best spot: Between stones, shady beds, containers
Soil: Moist, well-drained

Dart’s Blue Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

An evergreen classic with lavender-blue blooms, this groundcover is very versatile—from shaded gardens to spots with a bit of sun. It blooms in spring and again lightly throughout summer.
Best spot: Shaded beds, under trees, erosion control
Soil: Moist, well-drained

Bronze Beauty Bugleweed (Ajuga)

With rich foliage and blue flower spikes in spring, this semi-evergreen groundcover thrives in sun to shade. Just be sure the soil stays moist in sunnier areas.
Attracts: Butterflies, bees
Best spot: Shady paths, borders, under trees
Soil: Does NOT tolerate wet soil

Part Shade to Full Shade Groundcovers

Green Carpet Pachysandra

Dense, glossy foliage and white spring blooms make this timeless groundcover a go-to for deeply shaded areas. It spreads easily and is low-maintenance once established.
Best spot: Woodland edges, under trees, shaded slopes
Soil: Moist, well-drianed

Sweet Woodruff

Fragrant white flowers and lush green foliage make this plant ideal for shady, moist areas. It creates a soft, natural carpet and emits a fresh hay scent when crushed.
Best spot: Under trees, shaded slopes
Soil: Moist, well-drained (goes dormant in dry soils)

Creeping Mazus

This tough groundcover produces charming purple flowers and tolerates light foot traffic. It spreads quickly and works well under trees or between stepping stones.
Attracts: Butterflies
Best spot: Walkways, borders, under shrubs
Soil: Moist, well-drained

Groundcovers are more than just fillers, they’re problem-solvers that bring beauty, biodiversity, and structure to your landscape. Whether you’re replacing lawn, controlling erosion, or just want something soft underfoot, we’ve got the perfect plant for your space.to