Top 10 Groundcover Options to Reduce Mowing and Watering Needs

Table of Contents:

1. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)

2. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

3. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

4. Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)

5. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

6. Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata)

7. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

8. Prairie Zinnia (Zinnia grandiflora)

9. Silver Carpet (Dymondia margaretae)

10. Hummingbird Trumpet (Epilobium canum)

Creating a low-maintenance landscape doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty or functionality. Groundcovers offer an effective solution for homeowners who want to reduce mowing, watering, and weeding while still achieving a lush and vibrant outdoor space. These versatile plants spread across the ground, forming dense mats that prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds, and retain moisture—all without the high upkeep required by traditional lawns. If you’re ready to embrace a more sustainable, time-saving approach to landscaping, consider these top groundcover options that thrive in a variety of climates and garden settings.

When selecting groundcovers for a low-maintenance landscape, it’s essential to consider plants that:

• Require minimal watering once established
• Are drought-tolerant and hardy in your climate zone
• Spread easily without becoming invasive
• Provide good coverage to suppress weeds
• Are compatible with existing landscape features (sun, shade, soil type)

With these characteristics in mind, here are some of the best groundcover options suited to the Colorado Springs climate to help you create a sustainable, low-maintenance landscape.

• Ideal for: Full sun, sloped areas, erosion control
• Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant once established
• Description: Creeping Juniper is a low-growing evergreen groundcover that spreads widely, forming a dense mat of needle-like foliage. Its foliage varies in color, from green to blue-green, and often turns a purplish hue in winter. This hardy plant thrives in Colorado’s challenging climate and is particularly useful on slopes or in areas with poor soil.
• Tip: Plant Creeping Juniper in full sun and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

• Ideal for: Full sun, borders, and accent areas
• Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant
• Description: Blue Fescue is a small, ornamental grass known for its compact clumps of blue-gray foliage. This resilient plant can withstand drought and is well-suited to the dry Colorado climate. Its spiky, grassy texture provides a unique contrast to other groundcovers and is ideal for adding interest to landscape borders.
• Tip: Trim back any dead or damaged foliage in early spring to keep the plant looking fresh.

• Ideal for: Rock gardens, hot and dry areas, full sun
• Water Needs: Very low; highly drought-tolerant
• Description: Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a succulent groundcover that thrives in dry, sunny locations. With its thick, fleshy leaves, Sedum stores water and is highly resistant to drought. This versatile plant is available in many varieties, with different colors and textures, and it often blooms with small, vibrant flowers.
• Tip: Sedum is a great choice for rocky, well-drained areas, but avoid planting it in shaded or overly moist spots.

• Ideal for: Hot, sunny areas, slopes, erosion control
• Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant
• Description: Ice Plant is a colorful succulent groundcover that adds a splash of pink, purple, or yellow flowers to the landscape. It grows well in full sun and can handle the extreme heat and low humidity of Colorado Springs summers. Ice Plant’s mat-like growth also helps control erosion, making it perfect for sloped areas.
• Tip: Plant Ice Plant in well-drained soil, and be cautious not to overwater. It’s an excellent choice for a vibrant, resilient groundcover.

• Ideal for: Shade to partial sun, rocky areas, natural landscapes
• Water Needs: Moderate to low; drought-tolerant once established
• Description: Kinnikinnick, also known as Bearberry, is a native evergreen groundcover with small, leathery leaves and red berries. Its trailing habit makes it ideal for covering ground in rocky or shaded areas. It provides year-round interest with its dense green foliage and reddish berries, which attract birds and wildlife.
• Tip: Kinnikinnick prefers well-drained soil and does best in a naturalistic setting where it can spread freely.

• Ideal for: Full sun, slopes, dry areas
• Water Needs: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant
• Description: Purple Poppy Mallow is a low-growing perennial with bright magenta flowers that bloom throughout the summer. This plant is a showstopper in the landscape, spreading quickly to form a lush groundcover. It tolerates drought and poor soil, making it a strong candidate for dry, sunny areas in Colorado Springs.
• Tip: Plant Purple Poppy Mallow in well-drained soil and give it plenty of room to spread, as it can become invasive if not managed.

• Ideal for: Sunny areas, borders, rock gardens
• Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant once established
• Description: Snow-in-Summer is a charming, silvery groundcover with white, star-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring. This plant is tough and adaptable, handling heat and poor soil with ease. Its cascading foliage makes it an excellent choice for rock gardens or as a border plant.
• Tip: Snow-in-Summer spreads quickly, so it may need occasional trimming to keep it in check.

• Ideal for: Full sun, low-water areas, natural landscapes
• Water Needs: Very low; highly drought-tolerant
• Description: Prairie Zinnia is a low-growing perennial with bright yellow flowers that bloom in late summer. This native plant is perfect for xeriscaping, as it requires little to no supplemental watering once established. Prairie Zinnia is resilient in hot, dry conditions and adds a cheerful pop of color to Colorado landscapes.
• Tip: Plant Prairie Zinnia in full sun with well-drained soil to ensure optimal growth.

• Ideal for: Sunny areas, pathways, between stepping stones
• Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant once established
• Description: Silver Carpet is a low-growing, mat-forming groundcover with silver-gray leaves and small yellow flowers. This hardy plant tolerates drought and can handle some foot traffic, making it ideal for planting between stepping stones or in pathways. Its dense growth also helps to suppress weeds.
• Tip: Silver Carpet prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

• Ideal for: Full sun, attracting pollinators, rocky areas
• Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant
• Description: Hummingbird Trumpet is a Colorado native perennial with stunning orange-red, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. This groundcover thrives in sunny, rocky areas and can handle dry conditions well. Its bright blooms add a vibrant splash of color to the landscape in late summer and early fall.
• Tip: Plant Hummingbird Trumpet in a sunny, well-drained location and enjoy the pollinators it attracts.

1. Prepare the Soil: Groundcovers spread quickly, so invest time in preparing the soil. Remove weeds and add compost to improve soil quality and drainage.
2. Plant in Appropriate Conditions: Match each plant’s sunlight and moisture needs to the right area of your garden for optimal growth.
3. Mulch Around New Plants: Mulching can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition as your groundcovers establish themselves.
4. Water Carefully During Establishment: Even drought-tolerant groundcovers need regular watering until their root systems are established. After that, you can reduce watering according to each plant’s needs.