As nurseryman , weeds are one of our biggest best-loved peeve . They vie with our plant for nutrients , body of water , and sunshine , take up distance , and are n’t always as fairly as what we ’ve got grow .

While some weeds gain pollinator , most species crowd out cultivated plants , and some can even harm animals . Prevention is more effective than remotion — dense , humble - growing plants strategically placed throughout your garden can course stop or forbid green goddess growth , saving you time and drive while protect your garden .

Hardy Plumbago

The leaves of this evergreen shrub are hefty and thick , making it ideal for weed management . It spread through underground stems and makes an fantabulous earth cover ; weeds do n’t stand a hazard . Plus , it has beautiful blue flowers that will stomach out in your garden .

Hardy plumbago raise well in full Sunday to partial shade and is suited for U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) zone 9–11 . It ’s drouth - patient of , deer - resistant , and gentle to uphold .

Yarrow

When planted in group , yarrow in effect asphyxiate weed increase . This perennial has many benefits for your garden . Its blossom come in various colors and add sonority to your space . The colorful blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterfly stroke .

However , this plant ego - come and can infest the garden if get out unchecked . Yarrow is various and low - maintenance . It flourish in full sun and well - draining soil , worthy for zona 3–9 .

Creeping Phlox

creep phlox is a low - growing industrial plant that creates thick coverage that help dissuade weeds . It grows into a dense lustrelessness of evergreen plant foliage that grows well on walls or crack . It produces pink , white , and regal star - shaped flowers that add color to your garden and attract bees .

creep phlox is desirable for USDA zone 3–9 and grows well in full Sunday and moist , well - draining grunge .

Azalea

Azaleas are part of the rhododendron variety . This bloom shrub grow thick foliage that inhibit pot growth . Azaleas are neat for foundation planting , hedging , or screening .

Azaleas thrive in sunny and partly shaded areas ; a couple of hours of sun in the morning is enough . Well - draining ground is ideal for this plant , suitable for USDA zones 6–9 .

Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme is a ground cover that forms a dense carpet cover the ground and blocking weeds from sunlight . It ’s a groovy alternative to turfgrass for small spaces and pee a beautiful ornamental industrial plant . It produces lowly , fragrant pink and imperial bloom that appeal pollinator .

It ’s a member of the mint kinfolk . Some varieties are grow as herbs and often used in cooking . The hardy perennial requires full sun and grows well in well - draining sandy soil . It ’s suitable for USDA geographical zone 2–9 .

Lambs Ear

A member of the mint mob , Lamb ’s capitulum is a fantastic pick for a dry land cover plant life that blocks weeds . The works has velvety gray - green foliage that forms a dense carpet and covers its plant area .

Lamb ’s Ear want total sun picture and thrives in well - draining grime . It grows well in USDA zones 4–8 and is comparatively low - maintenance .

Creeping Mazus

This fast - growing perennial is ideal for weed suppression because it form thickheaded rug covering the ground . It grows little patrician - purple flowers that blossom from spring through former winter .

Creeping mazus is a beautiful lawn alternative for belittled areas . It tolerate pes dealings , prefer well - run out soil , and thrives in cheery areas . While it ’ll still grow in the shade , increment will be slow . It ’s ideal for USDA zone 5 to 8 .

Bugleweed

As the name suggests , Bugleweed is sometimes considered a weed , too . Hence , it ’s best to pick out the less strong-growing variety show . The arresting recurrent acquire dense and thick , thus block sunshine from get through the soil .

Bugleweed is low - maintenance and durable . Its vibrant purple spike make a swell addition to the garden . It tolerates all light levels and produce well in USDA geographical zone 4 - 11 .

Sweet Woodruff

Sweet fragrant bedstraw is a scummy - maintenance ground cover works . Its buddy-buddy , deciduous foliage can choke out weeds . It ’s bushy and can spread quickly , creating a dense carpet . In the bound , it produce small lily-white redolent flowers .

Since it can spread quickly , deny it water and grow it in the tincture helps keep it in tab . It only involve water in time of drought . It needs part or full shade and requires well - drain loamy dirt . It ’s suited for zone 4 through 8 .

Hellebores

Commonly cognise as lenten rose , it produces thick foliage , leathery leaves , and rose - like colorful bloom . Because it form a dense cover , it lessens the likeliness of farm weeds . It ’s well-fixed to care for and adds color to the dark corner of the garden .

Lenten rosiness are swell beneath trees and shrub for staring terra firma cover or border . They choose partial to full shade and moist , well - drained soil . The hardy plant is suitable for USDA zone 4 - 8 and is hare — and deer - resistant .

Hosta

Hostas are a personal favorite of mine . They are beautiful and characterized by overlapping loggerheaded foliage . They can be uprise around shrubbery and trees to blockade weeds   from see the light of sidereal day . There are several motley of hosta to choose from , and they ’ll all keep mourning band out .

Hostas tolerate tone and can be grown even in the drab niche of the garden . They thrive in gay spots , too , provided they get enough weewee and are ideal for USDA zones 3 - 8 .

Catmint

‘ Walker ’s Low ’ catmint is a mounding works , meaning it grow vertically and horizontally , leave it a rounded appearance . The mounds of foliage are wonderful weed suppressants . Catmint is known for its beautiful small tubular flowers and aromatic leaf .

Catmint is a various plant that is rattling for underplanting trees and bush . It screw full sun and partly shady areas and grows best in well - draining grease . It ’s low criminal maintenance , disease — and plague - free , and hardy in zones 3 - 8 .

Green-and-Gold

Green - and - Gold is a flowering solid ground covering plant with impenetrable immature foliage that can hinder the growth of weeds . Its vivid green leaves and vibrant scandalmongering blossom earn the plant its name . It self - seeds , but it does n’t scatter aggressively , making it a groovy addition to your quad .

There is conflicting information regarding the amount of light it requires , but everyone seems to agree that it needs part sun and part shade . It grows best in moist stain and is suited for zones 5 to 9 .

Pachysandra

Also called Nipponese spurge , pachysandra spreads via underground runners and form a dense mat that inhibits skunk growth . Its shiny , leathery leaves overlap each other , blocking out light from anything underneath it .

It diffuse aggressively if not controlled . Pachysandra develop well in partial to full shade . It grows in most types of soil but prefer acid grease . It ’s easy to grow and is hardy in zones 4 through 9 .