Ground covers with purple flowers are low-growing plants that spread to form dense, carpet-like layers in gardens or landscapes. These plants are valued for their ability to add vibrant color while serving practical purposes like suppressing weeds, stabilizing soil on slopes, or filling gaps between taller plants. Their purple blooms, ranging from soft lavender to deep violet, bring visual appeal, often blooming in spring or summer, depending on the species. They’re ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance solutions with aesthetic benefits.
These ground covers thrive in various conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and adapt to different soil types, though most prefer well-drained soil. Some are drought-tolerant, making them suitable for xeriscaping, while others flourish in moist environments. Their adaptability allows them to fit diverse settings, such as rock gardens, borders, or under trees, where they can enhance the landscape while reducing the need for frequent upkeep.
The purple flowers of these ground covers often attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems. Their blooms may appear in clusters, spikes, or as delicate single flowers, adding texture and depth to garden designs. Many also feature evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage, providing year-round interest even when not in bloom, which makes them versatile for both ornamental and functional landscaping.
Care for these plants is generally straightforward. Regular watering during establishment helps them develop strong root systems, but many become low-maintenance once settled. Pruning or trimming after flowering can maintain their shape and encourage denser growth. Some species may spread aggressively, so monitoring their growth ensures they don’t overtake other plants or areas of the garden.
Ground Covers With Purple Flowers
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
- Description: Aromatic, evergreen herb (3-6 inches tall) with tiny purple flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil, drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, pathways, lawn substitute. Attracts pollinators.
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
- Description: Fast-spreading perennial (4-8 inches) with spikes of purple-blue flowers in spring. Glossy foliage.
- Conditions: Partial shade to full sun, moist but well-drained soil.
- Uses: Shady areas, under trees, or as lawn edging.
Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
- Description: Mat-forming perennial (4-6 inches) with masses of purple or lavender flowers in spring.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Tolerates poor soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, slopes, borders.
Aubrieta (Aubrieta deltoidea)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with vivid purple flowers in spring. Evergreen in mild climates.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained alkaline soil.
- Uses: Rock walls, edging, containers.
Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
- Description: Evergreen ground cover (4-6 inches) with lavender-blue flowers in spring to summer.
- Conditions: Shade to partial sun, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Shady slopes, under shrubs. Can be invasive.
Veronica ‘Georgia Blue’ (Veronica peduncularis)
- Description: Compact (6-8 inches) with saucer-shaped blue-purple flowers in spring. Bronze-tinted foliage.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Borders, rock gardens, ground cover for small areas.
Hardy Geranium (Geranium ‘Rozanne’)
- Description: Spreading perennial (12-18 inches) with large, violet-blue flowers from summer to fall.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Mixed borders, cottage gardens.
Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with bell-shaped purple flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, walls, edging.
Lamium (Lamium maculatum)
- Description: Spotted deadnettle (6-8 inches) with purple-pink flowers and silver-green foliage.
- Conditions: Shade to partial shade, moist soil.
- Uses: Shady areas, woodland gardens.
Dwarf Creeping Speedwell (Veronica prostrata)
- Description: Mat-forming (4-6 inches) with small, bright purple flower spikes in late spring.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, borders, ground cover for sunny areas.
Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii)
- Description: Spreading perennial (12-18 inches) with lavender-blue flower spikes in summer. Aromatic foliage.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Borders, edging, pollinator gardens.
Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
- Description: Succulent ground cover (3-6 inches) with vibrant purple flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, sandy, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, dry slopes, xeriscaping.
Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with fragrant purple flowers in early spring.
- Conditions: Partial shade, moist, rich soil.
- Uses: Woodland gardens, shaded borders.
Rock Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides)
- Description: Trailing plant (4-6 inches) with clusters of pinkish-purple flowers in late spring.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Tolerates poor soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, cascading over walls.
Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides)
- Description: Spreading perennial (6-12 inches) with nodding, purple-blue bell flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil. Can be invasive.
- Uses: Borders, cottage gardens, naturalized areas.
Dwarf Iris (Iris pumila)
- Description: Compact iris (4-8 inches) with vibrant purple flowers in early spring.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, edging, small spaces.
Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)
- Description: Succulent-like ground cover (8-12 inches) with striking purple foliage and small pinkish-purple flowers.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil. Frost-sensitive.
- Uses: Containers, borders, warm-climate gardens.
Woolly Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
- Description: Fuzzy-leaved thyme (2-4 inches) with tiny lavender-purple flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Rock gardens, between pavers, aromatic ground cover.
Horned Violet (Viola cornuta)
- Description: Low-growing (6-8 inches) with delicate purple-violet flowers from spring to fall.
- Conditions: Partial shade to full sun, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Borders, containers, woodland edges.
Creeping Mazus (Mazus reptans)
- Description: Fast-spreading (2-4 inches) with small, purplish-blue flowers in spring to summer.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moist soil.
- Uses: Between stepping stones, moist areas, lawn substitute.
Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata)
- Description: Mat-forming (6-12 inches) with dense clusters of violet-purple flowers in summer.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Cottage gardens, borders, rockeries.
Purple Rock Cress (Arabis blepharophylla)
- Description: Compact (4-6 inches) with bright purple flowers in spring. Evergreen foliage.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, walls, edging.
Creeping Speedwell (Veronica umbrosa)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with spikes of deep purple flowers in spring.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Borders, rock gardens, ground cover for slopes.
Lithodora (Lithodora diffusa)
- Description: Evergreen (6-9 inches) with star-shaped, vivid purple-blue flowers in late spring.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained, acidic soil.
- Uses: Rock gardens, slopes, containers.
Wild Thyme (Thymus pulegioides)
- Description: Low-growing (4-6 inches) with clusters of purple flowers in summer. Aromatic.
- Conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant.
- Uses: Herb gardens, pathways, pollinator-friendly areas.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Purple’)
- Description: Trailing plant (2-4 inches) with purple-tinted foliage and occasional purple flowers.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moist soil.
- Uses: Wet areas, pond edges, hanging baskets.
Dwarf Bugleweed (Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’)
- Description: Compact (3-4 inches) with dark, bronze-purple leaves and blue-purple flower spikes in spring.
- Conditions: Partial shade to full sun, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Shady borders, under trees, small spaces.
Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
- Description: Grass-like perennial (6-10 inches) with small, star-shaped purple-blue flowers in spring.
- Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained soil.
- Uses: Meadow gardens, borders, naturalized areas.
General Care Tips
- Watering: Most prefer well-drained soil; water regularly during establishment, then adjust based on drought tolerance.
- Pruning: Trim after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
- Invasiveness: Monitor aggressive spreaders like creeping bellflower or creeping Jenny to prevent overtaking other plants.
- Soil: Match soil preferences (e.g., acidic for lithodora, moist for mazus).
- Sunlight: Most thrive in full sun, but some (e.g., horned violet, dwarf bugleweed) tolerate shade.
- Check USDA hardiness zones (most are hardy in zones 4-9, but purple heart is tender, zones 8-11).
- Many attract pollinators, enhancing garden ecosystems.
- Pair with contrasting ground covers like sedum or low grasses for visual interest.