Perennial groundcovers could be the answer to your landscaping problems. A hardy, low-growing plant can cover bald spots in a yard and keep down weeds in a garden or bed. A perennial groundcover is also an alternative to a grassy lawn, which can be a labor-intensive water waster. You could plant wild thyme in your yard and park your lawnmower forever. Here’s a list of low-growing perennials that can make your life easier.
Thyme
This fabulous perennial groundcover is in the same family as the thyme used in cooking. This is a tougher wild version, an excellent substitute for a grassy lawn in dry areas. It smells heavenly when you walk on it, and has pink or white flowers in the spring and summer.
Ajuga
Commonly called bugleweed, this groundcover has attractive foliage ranging from purple to chartreuse, depending on the type. It produces short spikes of low growing perennial flowers in blue, pink or white in the spring and spreads quickly in the shade.
Lamium
Also known as deadnettle, this easy-care perennial groundcover spreads with stems that root as they grow. It’s a shade lover with silvery foliage that blooms in the summer, producing clusters of pink or white flowers.
Mondo Grass
A favorite of Southern gardeners, Mondo has dense clumps of grassy foliage that’s deep purple, green, or striped. It also bears spikes of flowers in blue, pink or white in the summer. Use it to edge borders or plant close together as a perennial ground cover.
Lamb’s Ear
This classic, old-fashioned perennial groundcover has fuzzy, silver-green leaves that grow into low mounds. It bears spikes of pink or purple flowers in the summer and spreads by sowing its own seeds.
Creeping Jenny
This plant’s round, chartreuse leaves grow on trailing stems that creep along the ground, rooting as it grows. It’s one of the fastest-spreading low-growing perennials. Use it to light up beds with color and provide contrast to other plants.
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley produces white, bell-shaped flowers that smell very sweet. It grows to six inches in height and spreads by sending out roots that sprout baby plants. It loves shade so it’s a good perennial groundcover under trees.
Vinca
Commonly known as periwinkle, this popular perennial groundcover has shiny, evergreen leaves and lavender blue flowers on trailing stems. It spreads by creeping on the ground, putting out roots as it goes. Vinca grows very quickly and can be invasive.
SOURCE:http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/gardening/8-low-growing-perennial-groundcovers