Ground covers not only set beautiful accents in the garden, they are also very easy to care for. In addition, there are varieties and species that offer bees and co plenty of food.

In a nutshell

  • bee-friendly ground covers are easy to care for, robust and fit into any garden
  • There are different types and varieties of ground cover for a wide variety of locations
  • different flowering periods provide bees with nectar and poles for several months

Ground cover at a glance

Groundcovers in the garden are a good choice, especially if they are bee-friendly and help bees with their foraging activities. In addition, they are also practical and extremely easy to care for. They are mainly suitable for unfavorable areas in the garden, for example under trees, on outskirts or slopes. There is a suitable ground cover for every location.

Plants from A - E

Andean cushion (Azorella trifurcata)

Source: Patricio Novoa Quezada from Valparaíso, Chile, Azorella madreporica Clos (41430055341), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • Growth height 5 to 8 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • yellow-green umbels of flowers
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • Soil stony, sandy to loamy, slightly alkaline to neutral, moderately dry
  • extremely bee friendly

Bergenia (Bergenia)

Autumn bloom, Bergenia cordifolia
  • Growth height 20 to 40 cm
  • Growth width 35 to 40 cm
  • Flower color pink
  • Flowering time April to May
  • partially shaded to shaded locations
  • well-drained, nutrient-rich soil

Blue Pillow (Aubrieta deltoidea)

  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • Lawn-forming cushion and cushion perennial
  • Flowers violet-blue to crimson
  • Flowering time April to May
  • sunny locations
  • also tolerates windy and cold places
  • nutrient-rich soils
  • Cushion phlox and Caucasian goose cress as neighbors

Tip: After flowering, the plant can look a bit untidy. After cutting back the tendrils, a new beautiful cushion is formed.

Blood-red cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum)

  • Growth height up to 40 cm
  • Flowers blood red, sometimes white
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • prefers moist, deep soil
  • Yellow Corydalis as a neighbor

Accentor (Prunella vulgaris)

Little Brownie
  • Growth height 5 to 20 cm
  • Growth width 50 to 80 cm
  • Flowers violet to blue
  • Flowering period June to September
  • sunny to partially shaded place
  • prefers sandy to clay soil
  • Lime tolerant Byzantine woolly ziest (Stachys byzantina)
  • Growth height 30 to 40 cm
  • Growth width 25 to 30 cm
  • Flower color violet, pink
  • Flowering period July to August
  • sunny location
  • slightly dry, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

Ivy (Hedera helix)

  • Growth height climbing up to 500 cm
  • Flowers inconspicuous light yellow
  • Flowering period September to October
  • sunny to shady locations
  • gets along with any soil

Planting from F - J

Plumeria (Dianthus plumarius)

  • Growth height 10 to 30 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • Flower color white, pink
  • Flowering time June to July
  • sunny locations
  • loamy-sandy, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil

Rock Alyssum (Alyssum saxatile)

Rock Alyssum, Alyssum saxatile
  • Growth height 15 to 30 cm
  • flowers yellow
  • Flowering time April to May
  • sunny location
  • loves dry soil
  • particularly suitable for rock gardens, dry stone walls and borders

Tip: After flowering, cut back to 5 cm above the ground. This keeps the upholstery nice and bushy.

Tomentose thyme (Thymus praecox)

Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Thymus praecox kz01, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Growth height 3 to 5 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 25 cm
  • Flower color pink
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny locations
  • dry, well-drained soil
  • extremely bee friendly

Fingerbush (Potentilla fruticosa)

  • Growth height 50 to 130 cm
  • Growth width 50 to 150 cm
  • Flowers yellow, orange, red, pink, white
  • Flowering period June to October
  • sunny location
  • prefers sandy-loamy soils

Spring Adonis (Adonis vernalis)

  • Growth height 10 to 20 cm
  • flowers yellow
  • Flowering time April to May
  • sunny locations
  • prefers calcareous and humus-rich soils
  • small trees like Pinus montana as neighbors

Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea)

Source: Wouter Hagens, Pseudofumaria lutea A, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Growth height 15 to 30 cm
  • flowers yellow
  • Flowering time May to September
  • prefers semi-shady to shady locations
  • fresh, not too dry soil

Stalked Speedwell (Veronica peduncularis)

  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • Flower color dark blue
  • Flowering time April to July
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • loamy-sandy, stony soil

Common Thrift (Armeria maritima)

Thrift, armeria
  • Growth height 10 to 20 cm
  • Flowers pink to carmine
  • Flowering time May to July, sometimes to September
  • full sun location
  • well suited for edging, stone and heather gardens
  • sandy, dry soil preferred

Golden Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)

Source: Agnieszka Kwiecień (Nova), Waldsteinia ternata 01, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Growth height 20 to 30 cm
  • flowers yellow
  • Flowering time April to May
  • sunny to partially shaded place
  • Ideal for underplanting under deciduous trees
  • prefers deep, not too lean soil
  • bee-friendly forest foam flower as a neighbor

Ringworm (Chrysogonum virginianum)

  • Growth height 25 cm
  • Growth width 30 cm
  • flower deep yellow
  • Flowering time May to April
  • sunny to slightly shady locations
  • humus-rich, well-drained, freshly moist soil
  • extremely bee friendly

Golden nettle (Lamium galeobdolon)

  • Growth height 25 cm
  • Growth width 35 cm
  • flower yellow
  • Flowering time May to June
  • partially shaded to shaded locations
  • well-drained, humus-rich soil

Greater Chickweed (Stellaria holostea)

  • Growth height 40 cm
  • Growth width 35 cm
  • large, star-shaped, white flower
  • Flowering time April to June
  • partially shaded locations
  • Soil fresh, slightly acidic, rich in humus, well-drained

Tip: So that the plants can stay in their place for years, they should be treated with leaf compost or manure peat in autumn.

Planting from K - O

Catnip (Nepeta racemosa)

  • Growth height 30 to 60 cm
  • Flower color lavender blue
  • Flowering time May to September
  • dry, full sun locations
  • prefers well drained soils
  • tolerates drought
  • Sun eye as a neighbor

Cat's Paw (Antennaria dioica)

Common cat's paw, Antennaria dioica
  • Growth height 3 to 10 cm
  • Growth width 15 to 20 cm
  • Flower silvery pink
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • Soil dry, fresh, low in lime, permeable

Caucasian goose cress (Arabis caucasica)

  • Growth height 10 to 20 cm
  • white cross flowers
  • Flowering time March to April
  • sunny location
  • preferred for rock gardens and dry stone walls
  • grows in any garden soil

Notice: There are various cultivars with pink or double white flowers.

Caucasian comfrey (Symphytum grandiflorum)

Symphytum caucasicum, Caucasus Comfrey
  • Growth height 20 to 30 cm
  • pale yellow tubular flowers
  • Flowering time April to May
  • semi-shady to shady position
  • humus-rich, fresh soil

Pillow broom (Cytisus decumbens)

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Cytisus_decumbens#/media/File:Cytisus_decumbens_001.JPG.webp
  • Growth height 20 cm
  • Growth width 80 cm
  • Flower bright yellow
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny locations
  • well-drained soil
  • extremely bee friendly

Shamrock bittercress (Cardamine trifolia)

Source: Jan Eckstein, Cardamine trifolia Debeli vrh SI, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Growth height 10 to 20 cm
  • flower color white
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny to partially shaded places
  • prefers fresh to moist, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil
  • Elf Flower or Narrow-leaved Lungwort as a neighbor

Small-leaved periwinkle (Vinca minor)

  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 30 to 60 cm
  • flower blue
  • Flowering time April to May
  • partially shaded to shaded locations
  • Soil loamy-sandy, fresh, rich in humus

Small blood barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

  • Growth height 50 cm
  • Growth width 50 cm
  • yellow flower clusters
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • sandy-humic soil

Compact tomentosum (Cerastium tomentosum)

Source: Ghislain118 http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.net, Cerastium tomentosum 4, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 25 cm
  • flower white
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny locations
  • Soil dry, loamy-sandy, poor in humus and nutrients

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

  • Growth height 30 to 60 cm
  • Flower color from violet-blue to lilac
  • Flowering period June to August
  • dry, warm, full sun locations
  • permeable, calcareous soils
  • Catnip or summer sage as a neighbor
  • extremely bee friendly

Tip: In the spring, a vigorous pruning is advisable to maintain compact cushions.

Liver Balm (Ageratum houstonianum)

  • Growth height 10 to 12 cm
  • Flowers blue, also pink and white shades
  • Flowering time May to October
  • sunny places
  • prefer well-drained, humus-rich garden soil

Tip: In order to prolong the flower blossom, faded flowers should be removed regularly.

Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis)

Hepatica, Hepatica transsilvanica
  • Growth height 7 to 15 cm
  • violet to blue individual flowers
  • Flowering time March to April
  • semi-shady to shady place
  • preferably under deciduous trees
  • loves sandy-loamy soil
  • tolerates lime

Loyal to men (Lobelia erinus)

  • Growth height 10 to 20 cm
  • Flowers blue, white, violet
  • Flowering time June to August, often also until September
  • prefers sunny locations
  • nutrient-rich garden soil required
  • ideal for edging flower beds
  • annual

Morocco - Chamomile (Anacyclus pyrethrum)

Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Anacyclus pyrethrum kz12, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • flower white
  • Flowering period June to August
  • sunny locations
  • fresh, well-drained soil

Tip: After cutting back after the first flowering, a second pile takes place in late summer.

Planting from P - S

Cushion bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana)

Campanula portenschlagiana, Dalmatian bellflower
  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • violet corollas
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • Flowering period June to August
  • sunny to semi-shady locations
  • prefers sandy-loamy soils

Astilbe (Astilbe)

  • Growth height 40 to 100 cm
  • small single flowers in white, pink, red
  • Flowering period July to August
  • semi-shady to shady position
  • light and moist soil
  • Neighboring silver cohosh and autumn anemone

Rose Woodruff (Phuopsis stylosa)

  • Growth height 20 cm
  • Growth width 35 cm
  • pink fragrant flower balls
  • Flowering period June to August
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • well-drained, sandy-humic soil
  • extremely bee friendly

Red Summer Spirae (Spiraea japonica)

  • Growth height 15 cm
  • Growth width 60 cm
  • red umbels
  • Flowering time July to September
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • Soil sandy-humic

Red-leaved Bugle (Ajuga reptans)

Dark Bugle
  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 25 to 30 cm
  • Flower violet blue
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • fresh, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil

Red moss stonecrop (Sedum album)

  • Growth height 5 to 10 cm
  • Growth width 15 to 20 cm
  • flower white
  • Flowering period June to August
  • sunny locations
  • dry, well-drained soil

Red-and-white knotweed (Polygonum affinis)

Source: Akbar Khan Niazi, Beautiful Deosi Flowers, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Growth height 25 cm
  • Flowers white to red
  • Flowering time May to October
  • sunny to partially shaded place
  • normal garden soil is sufficient
  • also grows on barren sites

Hot Stonecrop (Sedum acre)

  • Growth height 5 to 10 cm
  • Growth width 10 to 20 cm
  • bright yellow flowers
  • Flowering time June to July
  • sunny to semi-shady locations
  • loves rocky to sandy soils
  • lime tolerant
  • extremely bee friendly

Rock cress (Arabis procurrens)

Source: DHochmayr, Arabis procurrens 01HD, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
  • Growth height 5 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • flower snow-white
  • Flowering time April to June
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • Soil well-drained, fresh, slightly acidic to alkaline

Snow Carpet Bacopa (Sedum spurium)

Jerzy Opioła, Sedum spurium a1, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 25 cm
  • flower white
  • Flowering time July to August
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • fresh, well-drained soil

Summer sage (Salvia nemorosa)

Wood sage, steppe sage, Salvia nemorosa
  • Growth height 40 to 70 cm
  • Flower color violet, blue, white, pink
  • Flowering time May to September
  • prefers sunny locations
  • calcareous, moderately dry, well-drained soil
  • Gold Sheaf or Globe Thistle as a neighbor

Spanish daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus)

  • Growth height 20 to 30 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • Flower white, pink
  • Flowering time May to September
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • well-drained, fresh soil

Perennial Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)

  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • Violet-purple flowers, almost white center
  • Flowering period June to August
  • sunny locations
  • Soil dry, rocky, poor in humus, permeable

Stone Aster (Aster ericoides)

Source: Manfred Werner - Tsui, Myrtenaster Pink Star (Aster ericoides) Blumengarten Hirschstetten Wien 2014 a, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Growth height 5 to 10 cm
  • Growth width 30 to 40 cm
  • flower white
  • Flowering period September to October
  • sunny to partially shaded locations
  • Soil well-drained, dry to fresh
  • extremely bee friendly
  • popular ground cover

Stemless gentian (Gentiana acaulis)

Source: xulescu_g, Gentiana acaulis (34566094694), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Growth height 20 cm
  • dark azure funnel flowers
  • Flowering time May to November
  • full sun location
  • loves heavy, loamy soil with plenty of moisture

Sinnermann mountain avens (Dryas x suendermannii)

  • Growth height 5 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • Flower white with a yellow center
  • Flowering time June to July
  • sunny locations
  • sandy-gravelly, fresh, well-drained soil

Planting from T - Z

Carpet Sheaf (Achillea tomentosa)

Source: Krzysztof Golik, Achillea tomentosa in Dunedin Botanic Garden 03, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Growth height 5 to 20 cm
  • Growth width 15 to 30 cm
  • flower deep yellow
  • Flowering time June to July
  • sunny locations
  • dry, fresh, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil

Carpet phlox (Phlox subulata)

cushion phlox
  • Growth height 5 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • Flower color from violet to blue, pink to white, also multicolored
  • Flowering time April to June
  • sunny to partially shaded location
  • loves sandy-stony soils
  • sensitive to lime

Carpet dogwood (Cornus canadensis)

Source: Jason Hollinger, Bunchberries (3599531983), Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • Growth height 10 to 20 cm
  • flowers green
    . Flowering time May to June
  • partially shaded places
  • prefers sandy-loamy soils

Gypsophila (Gypsophila repens)

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gypsophila_repens#/media/File:Gypsophila_repens_L._(7477383754).jpg.webp
  • Growth height 10 to 15 cm
  • Growth width 20 to 30 cm
  • flower soft pink
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny locations
  • Soil fresh, poor in nutrients, well drained

Medlar (Cotoneaster dammeri)

Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Cotoneaster dammeri var. radicans kz02, Edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Growth height 15 cm
  • Growth width 45 cm
  • flower white
  • red berries in autumn
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny to shady locations
  • no claims to soil

Turinese woodruff (Asperula taurina)

Source:Jerzy Opioła, Asperula taurina a1, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0
  • Growth height 50 cm
  • Growth width 35 cm
  • flower white
  • Flowering time May to June
  • partially shaded to shaded locations
  • fresh, well-drained soil

White Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)

White Deadnettle, Lamium maculatum
  • Growth height 20 cm
  • Growth width 25 cm
  • lip-shaped, white flower
  • Flowering time May to July
  • partially shaded locations
  • well-drained, humus-rich soil
  • extremely bee friendly

Cotoneaster horizontalis

  • popular ground cover
  • flowers pinkish white
  • Growth height 100 to 150 cm
  • Flowering time May to June
  • sunny to semi-shady locations
  • prefers well-drained, sandy-loamy soils with a medium nutrient content

frequently asked Questions

Why use bee-friendly ground covers whenever possible?

Due to large-scale monocultures, bees can no longer find many suitable food sources. The population is steadily decreasing. Using bee-friendly plants in the garden can make a small contribution to protecting bee colonies.

Are there certain care measures for the ground cover?

No. These are usually quite easy to care for. Additional watering should be done during prolonged dry periods. Depending on the type and variety, a pruning is sometimes necessary. In the spring, basic fertilization should be carried out, for example with horn shavings.

What are the characteristics of bee-friendly ground covers?

Ground covers in general are shrubs and perennials with low stature heights that grow quickly and densely. You can wear a leaf or flower jewelry. Depending on the species, the leaves are summer or winter green. They are bee-friendly if they have a high pollen and nectar content and have a long flowering period. Their flowers are single and open wide, allowing bees to reach the food source unhindered.

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Garden maintenance