4. California Poppy
California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) may look delicate with the lacy foliage and paper-thin flower petals, but they are far from it.
Drive along the Pacific Coast and you’ll see them growing wild along roadsides and in other challenging spots.
In my neighborhood, California poppies are a popular choice for growing along sidewalks where the sprinklers don’t reach.
The plants grow up to 16 inches tall when in bloom and will spread as far as you let them in Zones 5 to 10. Though they bloom all summer, the foliage is dense enough that it suppresses weeds from spring through fall.
The species plant, native to western North America, features flowers in a lovely orange hue, but you can find red, pink, or yellow cultivars.
One of my favorites is ‘Thai Silk,’ with sheer pink blossoms that truly do resemble ruffles of silk.
You can purchase a packet of ‘Thai Silk’ seeds at Eden Brothers.
Learn more about growing California poppies here.
5. Clover
Clover is extraordinarily useful in the garden. While it might not be the prettiest option out there, though I’d argue it can be absolutely stunning, clover is one of those plants that gives back to the soil rather than just taking nutrients from it.
That’s because clover is a legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. Since nitrogen is the main nutrient lacking in most gardens, we typically rely on fertilizers to replenish it. Or you can use clover.
I first learned about using clover as a cover crop when I drove regularly through the agricultural fields of western Oregon, where farmers grow alfalfa and orchard hay.
During summer, the fields were full of tall grass, but in the fallow season, farmers planted clover seed. When crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) blooms, it creates one of the most beautiful sights imaginable.
Here’s the strategy: plant clover to fill spots usually occupied by flowering annuals. The clover will enrich the soil with nitrogen while suppressing weeds that like to try and take over when there aren’t other plants around.
Crimson clover is my favorite because it’s an annual, so it grows quickly but won’t stick around when I’m ready to plant something else.
Because it grows up to three feet tall, though usually more like a foot, it’s tall enough to smother any weed.
You can find crimson clover seeds available at Botanical Interests.
Red clover (T. pratense) is another great option. Just chop it up and work it into the soil when (and if) you want to get rid of it. Or let it stick around and please all the pollinators.
You can find red clover seeds available at High Mowing Seeds.
White clover (T. repens) is also a popular choice as a lawn replacement and is a bee magnet.
High Mowing Seeds also carries this one.
6. Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera, P. subulata) forms dense matts of medium green leaves absolutely covered in vivid flowers.
The plants grow about six inches tall and 24 inches wide with flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, and white, or in multiple colors.
These plants are native to the Appalachian region, so they’re a good option if you’re focused on growing natives in Zones 5 to 9. P. subulata is hardy to Zone 3.
Just provide good drainage and watch creeping phlox push out the weeds.
‘Candy Stripe’ is an adorable cultivar with white and pink striped flowers.
You can find ‘Candy Stripe’ plants available at Burpee.
Learn more about growing creeping phlox here.
7. Creeping Thyme
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox and T. serpyllum) is one of my favorite options for smothering weeds. It’s one of those plants that is just endlessly versatile. Like its cousin common thyme, the creeping variety is also edible.
The plants can tolerate foot traffic, making it a good lawn replacement or pathway option. The sweet, citrusy perfume is always welcome.
Creeping thyme forms a dense ground cover that effectively crowds out weeds and gently pushes its way through the garden without becoming aggressive.
It tolerates some shade and blooms with cheerful purple flowers.
You can find creeping thyme seeds available at Eden Brothers in a variety of packet sizes.
Read our guide to growing creeping thyme next!
8. Dianthus
The genus name Dianthus comes from the Greek dios meaning “divine” and anthos meaning “flowers” – literally “divine flowers.”
That’s quite a lofty reputation for these petite plants, but when you see the carpet of white, lilac, red, and pink flowers, you’ll understand.
The plants grow up to two feet tall with dense green foliage that blocks out all of the potential weeds. They thrive in Zones 3 to 9 and look glorious in any garden.
You can’t go wrong with any of the Dianthus species, from carnations to sweet williams, but the German hybrid ‘Firewitch’ is a classic choice that always thrills with its bright rose-colored blossoms.
You can find ‘Firewitch’ plants in one-gallon containers available at Fast Growing Trees.
Learn more about growing dianthus here.
9. Green-and-Gold
Green-and-gold aka goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum) lives up to its name with its carpet of ovate green leaves and golden star-shaped flowers.
The hairy foliage has crenate margins that look like little scallops, giving the whole plant extra visual interest, livening up dark spots where flowering plants rarely dare to go.
It will politely spread in Zones 5 to 9 in deep or partial shade, smothering out the weeds in those hard-to-reach areas.
10. Hellebore
It can be hard to find plants that flower in the shade and even harder to find ones that bloom during the cold months of winter and into early spring.
That’s one of the reasons that lenten roses or hellebores (Helleborus spp.) are so popular. But you can also use them to shade out weeds.
Plant hellebores close together in Zones 4 to 9 and the 18-inch-tall plants will prevent unwelcome weeds from popping up underneath.
The gorgeous blossoms will keep on blooming weeks and weeks in mid to late winter. Any type of hellebore will work, but there are a few really special options available.
I especially love ‘Pink Frost.’ The flowers start out as burgundy buds that open up as bright pink blooms before maturing to deep pink.
You can find ‘Pink Frost’ in six-inch containers available from Fast Growing Trees.
Learn more about hellebores here.
11. Ice Plant
If there’s a more cheerful sight than a patch of ice plants, also known as Livingstone daisies (Dorotheanthus bellidiformis), I don’t know what it is.
The red, white, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and fuchsia blossoms crown thick, succulent leaves. They only grow to about nine inches tall but can spread as far as they can find lots of sun and dry, sandy soil.
Several plants share the name “ice plant,” but this particular species earns its moniker from the enchanting effect of flowers that appear dusted with ice crystals.
It’s a tender perennial in Zones 9 to 11, but thrives as an annual in any climate.
You can find seeds in a variety of packet sizes available at Eden Brothers.
12. Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is an aggressive spreader, which can be good or bad, depending on where you live.
In some areas, this species is listed as invasive, in others, it is just aggressive enough to crowd out weeds while filling the garden with foot-tall leaves and stalks of sweet, fragrant blossoms.
These are tough plants that can grow anywhere with good drainage in Zones 2 to 9 so long as they don’t receive too much sun. No wonder lily of the valley is such a popular solution for shady areas.
In addition to the classic bell-shaped blossoms, there are pink varieties that you can mix in with the white ones adding charm.
You can find bare root plants in packets of two, four, or eight available at Eden Brothers.
Learn more about lily of the valley here.
13. Lobelia
Lobelias (Lobelia spp.) put on a show during the cooler months with blossoms that can range from pale lavender to deep purple.
Some cultivars will bloom nonstop from spring through frost, so you won’t have to deal with weeds at all while enjoying the colorful display.
Most species are perennials in Zones 10 and 11 but grown as annuals elsewhere.
‘Blue Carpet’ is an L. erinus cultivar that grows just six inches tall and spreads as far as you let it – without becoming invasive.
In bloom, the plants are absolutely covered in blue-purple flowers and you can hardly see the foliage underneath!
You can find ‘Blue Carpet’ seeds available at Eden Brothers.
Check out our guide to growing lobelia to learn more.
14. Marigold
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) should have a place in every single garden, as far as I’m concerned.
They’ve been proven to keep certain pests out of the garden – that alone should earn them a spot.
But the dense growth habit of many varieties also makes them perfect for suppressing weeds. Oh yeah, and they add incomparable color to the garden!
Marigolds are self-sowing annuals which return to the garden year after year in Zones 2 to 10.
There are so many options available. For a classic look, the Happy Days Mix has cheerful red and orange ruffled flowers.
You can find 150 seeds available at Burpee.
‘Naughty Marietta’ is a French marigold (T. patula) with single yellow flowers that have red centers. You can find seeds available at Botanical Interests.
Or if you love the look of African marigolds (T. erecta), ‘Pinwheel’ is sure to draw attention. It has deep maroon and bright yellow blossoms.
Purchase seeds in a variety of packet sizes at High Mowing Seeds.
Read our guide to growing marigolds here.
15. Nasturtium
As I mentioned, nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are considered a nuisance in some areas, though the species isn’t actually listed as invasive.
If you are gardening in Zones 9 to 11, it’s possible that the plants may wander into areas you don’t want them to.
Outside of these regions, nasturtiums are grown as annuals as they can’t tolerate freezing temperatures. I like to grow nasturtiums in my herb garden to fill in bare patches and crowd out weeds – while also preventing my chickens from damaging the herbs!
The vines spread cheerfully, creating a thick carpet on the ground, with flowers that last all summer to first frost.
There are lots of color options, but my favorite is the cheery orange of ‘Alaska.’
This cultivar is a dwarf option that spreads about 18 inches.
Head to True Leaf Market to purchase seeds in a variety of packet sizes.
Learn more about how to grow nasturtiums here.
16. Passionflower
I admit to being a bit close-minded about passionflowers (Passiflora edulis). I’ve always grown mine up arbors, fences, or other supports.
But then one day while chatting with my neighbor, I realized he had filled his garden beds with passionflower vines as ground cover.
When I asked why he chose to grow them that way, he explained that as he’d aged, he couldn’t keep up with weeding, but the dense vines suppressed the unwanted plants.
The funky, alien-like flowers are just a huge bonus! You can find varieties that thrive in Zones 8 to 11, though you can successfully grow them in Zone 7 with winter protection. Some will even reward you with flavorful fruits that are a real delicacy.
‘Possum Purple’ is a perfect option if you want flowers and edible fruit. It blooms all summer and into the fall, followed by sweet, citrusy fruits.
You can find ‘Possum Purple’ in #5 containers available at Nature Hills Nursery.
Our guide to growing passionflower has more information.
17. Soapwort
Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides) produces a riot of brilliant pink wildflowers that pollinators can’t resist.
It has naturalized across Europe and parts of the US, so some gardeners might classify it as a weed.
But for those who love these 18-inch-tall plants with their even taller spikes of blossoms, soapwort effectively suppresses unwanted plants.
This cheerfully spreading perennial thrives in alkaline soil in Zones 2 to 8.
You can find soapwort seeds at Eden Brothers.
18. Strawflower
Strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum) are frost-tender annuals that produce blankets of chrysanthemum-like blossoms in white, yellow, pink, red, burgundy, gold, and orange that last for months at a time.
Depending on the cultivar, the flowers may be several inches in diameter on plants that grow two to three feet tall, effectively shading out weeds.
‘King Size Silvery Rose’ Strawflowers
They make excellent cut flowers in addition to providing weed control.
I’m personally partial to the large, silvery-pink flowers on ‘King Size Silvery Rose.’ You can find packets of seeds available at Botanical Interests.
Learn more about growing strawflowers.
19. Sweet Woodruff
I’ve got a quick anecdote for you. My grandma had creeping Jenny and turfgrass that would constantly intermingle in her garden.
She wanted me to keep the two separate, and it was a constant battle – one would move in, then the other would push back.
But over the years, the neighbor’s sweet woodruff (Galium odorata) started sneaking into the yard.
It shoved out all the creeping Jenny, pushed the turfgrass back, and even started creeping into the ivy.
I didn’t have to worry about pulling weeds wherever it grew. In other words, sweet woodruff won’t let anything keep it down, not even weeds. The eight-inch stems are covered in delicate white flowers.
It’s not considered invasive anywhere in the US, so while it spreads aggressively, sweet woodruff stays manageable.
I used to dig up patches and transplant them to problem areas in my own yard – under bushes and trees where only weeds would grow. It spread happily in these spots but never tried to take over.
Sweet woodruff grows readily in Zones 4 to 9 and you can pick up plants at Nature Hills.
20. Vinca
If you mention periwinkle or vinca (Vinca minor) in my neighborhood, you’ll be greeted with looks of terror.
I’m working on my Backyard Habitat Certification, a program that helps gardeners create beneficial wildlife habitat in their yards.
Everyone I’ve spoken to who’s working on or has achieved certification says the hardest part was eliminating vinca or English ivy from their property.
In my garden, I have both. Vinca is listed as invasive in my state of Oregon and in many eastern states. So triple-check before you introduce this species to your yard.
That warning aside, when I lived in Utah, vinca was a lifesaver. It filled shady areas of my yard and suppressed weeds that constantly emerged otherwise.
The plant forms a dense mat of dark green leaves dotted with beautiful lavender blossoms, effectively denying weeds space to establish.
Flowers appear sporadically from spring through fall, providing ongoing color.
Each vine reaches about 18 inches and spreads via roots and stems, covering substantial ground even in drought conditions. It thrives in Zones 4 to 8.
If you live in an area where you can grow this species, Fast Growing Trees carries vines in one-gallon containers.
21. Yarrow
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) makes me so happy, even when it isn’t in bloom as the lacy, finely cut leaves are beautiful on their own.
In summer, they’re topped by panicles of blossoms that are traditionally creamy-yellow or white, though cultivars now offer red, pink, or purple flowers.
This common wildflower doesn’t need much care and will spread cheerfully throughout your garden, crowding out weeds as it establishes.
If you have a spot with poor soil, yarrow is an excellent choice as it thrives even in depleted, nutrient-poor conditions. Depending on the variety, yarrow reaches two to three feet tall.
It freely self-sows in Zones 3 to 9, so not only will the perennial roots send up new shoots each spring, but new plants will pop up wherever you let them.
If you’d like to sample a mix of several colors, you can find seeds in a variety of package sizes available at High Mowing Organic Seeds.
Our guide to growing yarrow has cultivation details.
Trade Weeds for Blossoms
There are many ways to tackle unwanted plants in the garden.
A thick layer of mulch helps suppress them, a consistent weeding schedule keeps them manageable, and dense flowering plants that crowd out invaders offer a beautiful solution that works with nature rather than against it.
Which of these species are you planning to add to your garden? Or do you know any good options that we missed? Let us know in the comments section below!
And for more information about growing flowers in your garden, add these guides to your reading list next:
