Ground cover plants are low-growing, spreading plants used to cover bare soil instead of traditional turf grass. These plants form a dense, living carpet that provides year-round foliage and often features seasonal flowers. The need for speed is typically driven by a desire for immediate weed suppression, rapid erosion control on slopes, or quick aesthetic results. Choosing the fastest-spreading varieties requires understanding the biological mechanisms they use to colonize an area quickly.
Characteristics of Rapidly Spreading Ground Covers
The speed at which a ground cover establishes itself is directly related to its specific growth habit, allowing it to extend horizontally across the soil surface. Many aggressive growers utilize specialized vegetative structures to propagate new, independent plants. These plants do not rely solely on seeds, which take longer to germinate and establish.
One mechanism involves stolons, which are above-ground runners that spread out from the parent plant. When the nodes along these runners touch the soil, they quickly root and form a new plantlet. Other varieties employ rhizomes, which are similar spreading stems but operate beneath the soil surface, sending up new shoots at intervals to create a dense colony. Plants that root easily from their stem nodes are capable of covering a large area rapidly.
Successful fast-growing ground covers are highly adaptable and resilient to a range of soil and light conditions. This allows them to allocate energy toward horizontal expansion rather than establishing a robust root system. This combination of an aggressive horizontal growth habit and environmental tolerance enables the quickest coverage.
Specific Plants Known for Quick Establishment
The title of “fastest growing” often belongs to plants that possess aggressive spreading qualities, though this speed requires careful management. For sunny areas, Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a top contender, known for its bright chartreuse foliage and ability to spread rapidly via trailing stems that root at every node. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) also forms a dense, mat-like cover, spreading by intertwining stems to colonize large, open spaces.
In areas with partial to full shade, Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a fast-spreading option, utilizing above-ground runners to form a thick, low mat of foliage. Another effective shade-tolerant plant is the Trailing Periwinkle (Vinca minor), which features glossy evergreen leaves and spreads via long, rooting stems. Japanese Pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) is also a rapid grower in dry shade, expanding quickly through underground rhizomes.
A fast growth rate often correlates with an aggressive nature, and species like Japanese Pachysandra and Trailing Periwinkle can be considered invasive in certain regions. Gardeners must be prepared to install barriers or regularly trim these plants to prevent them from overtaking surrounding garden beds. Selection should be balanced with the need for long-term control, as the speed of coverage is a double-edged sword.
Techniques for Maximizing Growth Speed
Achieving the fastest possible coverage requires deliberate preparation of the planting site. Soil should be amended with organic matter, like compost, and tilled to a depth of 6 to 10 inches to ensure good drainage and a loose structure. This improved soil environment encourages rapid root expansion and is more conducive to quick establishment than dense, compacted ground.
The initial spacing of the plants is a primary factor in the speed of final coverage, as placing plants closer together accelerates the process. Instead of spacing plants according to their mature size, a “checkerboard” pattern with reduced spacing ensures that runners and rhizomes meet and knit together faster. For aggressive spreaders, new plant divisions can be planted with their roots spread shallowly, prompting them to send out new growth quickly rather than focusing on downward root depth.
Consistent moisture during the plant’s first growing season is necessary to encourage vigorous root development and horizontal spread. Newly planted ground covers should receive regular watering until their root systems are fully established, typically about a year after planting. Applying a starter fertilizer, rich in phosphorus, at planting time helps stimulate strong root growth, which fuels above-ground expansion. A light layer of mulch around the plants helps retain moisture and keep the soil temperature consistent, supporting rapid ground coverage.