Perennial flowers are a great addition to any garden. They return year after year, providing color and beauty without the need for replanting. If you’re looking for low growing varieties, there are plenty of options that will suit your needs.

These plants are perfect for borders, ground covers, or filling in spaces between taller plants. Let’s explore some of the best low growing perennial flowers for your garden.

15 Low Growing Flowering Perennials

1. Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Creeping thyme is a hardy, low-growing plant that spreads quickly. It has tiny, fragrant leaves and small, pink or purple flowers. This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Creeping thyme is perfect for rock gardens, between stepping stones, or as a ground cover. It is also drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance choice.

2. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans)

Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a fast-growing ground cover. It has shiny, dark green leaves and spikes of blue, purple, or white flowers. Ajuga grows well in both sun and shade, though it prefers moist, well-drained soil. It’s an excellent choice for underplanting trees or filling in shady spots in your garden. Ajuga is also deer-resistant, which can be a plus if you have wildlife visiting your yard.

3. Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)

Snow-in-summer is a low-growing plant with silver-gray foliage and white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. It forms a dense mat that can help suppress weeds. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Snow-in-summer is drought-tolerant once established and can be used in rock gardens, along borders, or as a ground cover.

4. Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)

Dianthus, commonly known as pinks, are low-growing plants with frilly, fragrant flowers. They come in various colors, including pink, red, white, and purple. Dianthus prefers full sun and well-drained soil. These plants are ideal for borders, rock gardens, or containers. Some varieties are evergreen, providing year-round interest.

5. Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb’s ear is known for its soft, fuzzy, silver-gray leaves. It produces spikes of pink or purple flowers in late spring to early summer. Lamb’s ear thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established. This plant works well as a ground cover, in borders, or as an accent in rock gardens.

6. Heuchera (Heuchera spp.)

Heuchera, also known as coral bells, are valued for their colorful foliage. The leaves come in shades of green, burgundy, purple, and silver. Heuchera produces small, bell-shaped flowers on tall stems in late spring to early summer. It prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. Heuchera is an excellent choice for borders, woodland gardens, or as a ground cover.

7. Sedum (Sedum spp.)

Sedum, or stonecrop, is a hardy, low-growing succulent. It has fleshy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. Sedum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and can be used in rock gardens, as a ground cover, or in containers. Some varieties are evergreen, providing year-round interest.

8. Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis)

Blue star creeper is a low-growing ground cover with tiny blue flowers. It blooms from spring to fall and spreads quickly to form a dense mat. Blue star creeper prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is perfect for planting between stepping stones, in rock gardens, or as a lawn substitute in low-traffic areas.

9. Veronica (Veronica spp.)

Veronica, also known as speedwell, is a low-growing plant with spikes of blue, pink, white, or purple flowers. It blooms from late spring to early summer and prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Veronica is ideal for borders, rock gardens, or as a ground cover. It attracts butterflies and bees, making it a great choice for a pollinator-friendly garden.

10. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing ground cover with bright green or golden leaves and yellow flowers. It spreads quickly to form a dense mat and prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Creeping Jenny is perfect for hanging baskets, containers, or as a ground cover. It is also deer-resistant.

11. Mazus (Mazus reptans)

Mazus is a low-growing ground cover with tiny purple or white flowers. It blooms from late spring to early summer and spreads quickly to form a dense mat. Mazus prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is perfect for planting between stepping stones, in rock gardens, or as a lawn substitute in low-traffic areas.

12. Aubrieta (Aubrieta deltoidea)

Aubrieta is a low-growing plant with purple, pink, or white flowers that bloom in early spring. It forms a dense mat and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Aubrieta is drought-tolerant once established and can be used in rock gardens, along borders, or as a ground cover. It is also deer-resistant.

13. Ground Morning Glory (Convolvulus sabatius)

Ground morning glory is a low-growing plant with trailing stems and blue or purple flowers. It blooms from spring to fall and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Ground morning glory is drought-tolerant once established and can be used in rock gardens, hanging baskets, or as a ground cover.

14. Rock Cress (Arabis spp.)

Rock cress is a low-growing plant with white, pink, or purple flowers that bloom in early spring. It forms a dense mat and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Rock cress is drought-tolerant once established and can be used in rock gardens, along borders, or as a ground cover.

15. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Sweet alyssum is a low-growing plant with tiny white, pink, or purple flowers. It blooms from spring to fall and prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Sweet alyssum is perfect for borders, rock gardens, or as a ground cover. It attracts butterflies and bees, making it a great choice for a pollinator-friendly garden.

Benefits of Low Growing Perennials

Low growing perennials offer several perks for gardeners:

1. Low maintenance: Once established, they need little care beyond occasional watering and pruning.
2. Weed suppression: Their dense growth helps block weeds.
3. Erosion control: Their roots hold soil in place on slopes.
4. Versatility: They work well in rock gardens, as ground cover, or to edge paths and borders.
5. Long-lasting beauty: Many bloom for weeks or months and keep attractive foliage even when not in flower.

Winter Care for Low Growing Perennials

Most low growing perennials are hardy, but a few steps can help them survive winter:

1. Avoid fall fertilizing, which can spur tender new growth.
2. Leave foliage in place to protect the crown of the plant.
3. In cold regions, apply a light layer of mulch after the ground freezes.
4. In spring, remove mulch and trim away any winter-damaged foliage.

Low growing perennial flowers offer a world of possibilities for gardeners. They provide lasting beauty with minimal effort.

By choosing the right plants for your conditions and following basic care tips, you can create stunning ground-level displays that return year after year. Whether you’re looking to edge a path, cover a slope, or add color to a rock garden, low growing perennials are up to the task.