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Check PriceThese 14 perennial plants have stunning flowers and strong roots that stop weeds and unwanted plants from growing by chemically attacking them. Because of their strong root systems, they develop such a dense living rug, making it impossible for weeds like dandelions to penetrate their surface.
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1. The scientific name for Lady's Mantle is Alchemilla Mollis.
This medieval favorite grows a thick set of overlapped leaves with a scalloped edge. The leaves prevent sunlight from reaching any weed seeds below them. They routinely and rapidly fill in space and their underground rhizomes spread to create an impermeable barrier. For full coverage by the 2nd year, plant 18” spacing.
2. Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii)
Catmint is a drought-tolerant perennial that creates a fragrant carpet and is not affected by heat, cold, or neglect. Besides being loved by humans, deer and rabbits completely avoid catmint. The fragrant oils in catmint deter many weed seeds from germinating in the area around it. Catmint also spreads through underground runners.
3. Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis)
Astilbe sinks and weeds are good companions. Along with your shallow roots, they can keep most unwanted plants from establishing. The plumes add vertical interest while the leaves form a mulch to smother everything beneath.
4. Coral Bells (Heuchera species)
These colorful mounds form tightly knit communities that spread out each year. The sheer size of these mounds stifles the growth of surrounding weeds. Their abundant and year-round foliage keeps weeds contained throughout the entire growing season. Their shallow yet widespread roots capture moisture so that surrounding weeds cannot.
5. Stachys byzantina also known as Lamb's Ear
Lamb's ear has fuzzy and thick leaves that create an environment that is too shady and dry for most weeds. This Mediterranean native plant carpet spreads via underground stolons and requires no extra water once established. Lamb's ear carpets a growing area and will spread more if cut back once a year.
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6. Pachysandra procumbens
The best possible ground cover for shaded areas is native pachysandra. While it can take decades to grow a dense mat, that growth is very slow. The waxy leaves shed water, directing it to the roots. It also surprisingly blocks sunlight so nothing grows beneath this tough native.
7. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild ginger has leaves that are heart-shaped and overlap like shingles. This creates a complete cover of soil in forest settings. Wild ginger has creeping rhizomes that form thick mats. These mats prevent the seeds of weeds from touching the soil. Since wild ginger emerges in early spring, it gets a jump on competing plants.
8. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)
The nickname 'carpet bugle' comes from how this tough groundcover forms thick, low mats that spread via surface runners. Plant ajuga where you want total coverage. It will take over bare soil and outgrow grass and weeds without mercy.
9. Magus kellukas (Galium odoratum)
Sweet woodruff creates unique ecosystems in shady places. The plant produces whorls of leaves that are bright green (emerald) and flowers that are white and small. The combination of the plants dense leafy mass and shallow roots draws moisture and nutrients such that competing weeds find none to exploit.
10. Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)
The amazing ferns form thick clumps, and even colonies, perfect for weed suppression. As they also arch? over each other, creating thick shade, and capture nutrients and moisture in the soil, they suppress the establishment of weeds.
11. Creeping Phlox
Called moss pink, this species forms thick mats of evergreen needle-like foliage that fully carpets sunny slopes and rock garden locations. Its extensive root system not only prevents erosion, but also creates a barrier to annual weeds.
12. Numele științific pentru urzica moartă este Lamium maculatum.
The dead nettle can spread vigorously and create a living mulch as ground cover for shady areas. In these areas, weeds can be a problem, but the dead nettle will outpace most aggressive weeds. As a member of the mint family, the dead nettle produces natural growth inhibitors, which slows down the germination of plants surrounding the dead nettle.
13. Geranium mare este numele științific pentru geranium macrorrhizum.
This species of geranium, as the name implies, grows large root systems that influence the soil ecosystem. Each year, thick mounds of foliage grow while underground rhizomes send up shoots to fill every available spot that weeds may try to occupy.
14. Barrenwort is a type of Epimedium species.
Each spring, new foliage is developed bronzed, then during winter, it turns into a dense brown covering. Barrenwort is well known for its slow but steady spread. Barrenwort can create colonies of plants that can live for decades. Because Barrenwort is one of the early spring plants, it has a competitive advantage over spring germinating weeds.
Perennials can be planted to provide the best weed suppression. To enhance quick coverage, perennials can be spaced 25% closer than recommended. While perennials are establishing over the first two years, you may consider applying heavy mulching. After this period, the weed control burden will disappear since the bouncers will occupy and control the garden beds.
