Introducing...
These shrubs form a dense carpet of foliage, often with attractive flowers and fruits too. They’re a low-maintenance, wildlife friendly way to cover bare ground. You can choose from evergreens such as prostrate junipers (Juniperus horizontalis) and heathers (Calluna vulgaris), and deciduous types (that lose their leaves in autumn) such as Cotoneaster horizontalis. Ground-cover shrubs suppress weed growth with their dense stems and foliage.
These low-growing shrubs spread their woody stems across the ground, covering it in attractive foliage, often enhanced with seasonal flowers and colourful fruits. The densest coverage is provided by evergreen plants..
These shrubs often like plenty of space to spread and sprawl. To encourage fast, dense growth, plant in fertile soil and keep them well watered.
Make sure you choose a plant to suit your growing conditions, otherwise it won’t thrive. Acid soil loving plants won't thrive in an alkaline soil. Even those that tolerate dry soil need watering regularly until fully established.
All the information you'll need to grow & care for shrubs in your garden.
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
