If you want your garden to feel lush, colorful, and full of life, groundcover plants are a wonderful choice. In California’s diverse climate, these plants don’t just survive, they thrive, filling spaces with rich foliage and charming blooms.
They can handle a variety of conditions, making them a smart and beautiful addition to your outdoor space.
Many of these options bloom for months, attract pollinators, and add texture to your landscaping. Some even provide year-round greenery so your garden looks vibrant no matter the season.
With a little care and the right spot, you can enjoy a carpet of flowers and leaves that will keep your yard looking fresh and inviting.
#1 Checkerbloom
Checkerbloom forms a low mound of bright green leaves topped with delicate pink flowers. It blooms in mid to late summer, often producing hundreds of blossoms at once.
Plant it in full sun or light shade for the best display. Water regularly during dry spells to keep the flowers coming. Its cheerful look makes it a great choice for borders and pathways.
#2 Douglas Iris
Douglas Iris produces elegant, bluish-purple flowers with striking veins in spring. It prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Once planted, it forms clumps that return year after year. Remove spent blooms to encourage fresh growth. This iris brings a cool, calming touch to shady spots in your garden.
#3 Seaside Daisy
Seaside Daisy is covered in white-petaled blooms with sunny yellow centers from early spring through fall. It grows well in both full sun and light shade.
This plant is tolerant of coastal conditions, making it ideal for breezy gardens. Keep the soil slightly moist for continuous flowers. Its long season of color makes it a favorite for cottage-style landscapes.
#4 Bearberry
Bearberry has glossy evergreen leaves and dainty white blooms in spring. By summer, it produces small red berries that attract birds. It spreads slowly to form a dense mat, perfect for erosion control on slopes.
Plant in sunny or lightly shaded areas with well-drained soil. Minimal care keeps it looking neat and vibrant year-round.
#5 Campanula
Campanula delights with bell-shaped blooms in shades of blue, purple, or white. It flowers over a long season, often from spring into fall.
This groundcover prefers cooler temperatures and regular moisture. Trim back spent flowers to keep the plant tidy. Its low, spreading habit makes it lovely for edging garden beds.
#6 Redwood Sorrel
Redwood Sorrel has fresh green, clover-like leaves and small white or pink flowers in spring. It thrives in shaded, moist locations, making it perfect for under trees.
Keep the soil rich with compost for strong growth. The leaves gently fold when touched, adding an extra bit of charm. It creates a soft, natural carpet in woodland gardens.
#7 California Aster
California Aster bursts into bloom in summer with clusters of lavender, blue, or yellow flowers. It grows in many soil types and enjoys full sun to partial shade.
This plant attracts butterflies and bees, adding movement to the garden. Cut it back after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of growth. It’s a hardy choice that brings late-season color.
#8 Yerba Mansa
Yerba Mansa grows quickly and spreads to fill damp areas. In spring, it offers white flowers that gradually turn red as the days warm.
Keep it in consistently moist soil for the best display. It’s well-suited for water gardens or low spots in the yard. Its unusual bloom color shift makes it a conversation piece.
#9 Yarrow
Yarrow is a hardy perennial with feathery leaves and clusters of tiny flowers in late spring and summer. It thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil.
Once established, it needs very little water. Deadhead regularly to extend blooming. It’s also a magnet for pollinators, making it both beautiful and beneficial.
#10 Verbena
Verbena offers vibrant purple blooms with hints of white along the petals. It flowers generously from fall into late spring in warmer zones.
Give it full sun and regular watering to keep it healthy. This plant’s trailing habit makes it ideal for borders, rock gardens, or hanging baskets. It adds a lively splash of color when other plants may be resting.