11 Ground Covers That Stay Green Through Cold Weather

When winter arrives and most plants fade away, evergreen ground covers keep your garden looking alive. These hardy, low-growing plants spread beautifully, filling empty spots with texture and color even in freezing temperatures.

They’re low-maintenance, resilient, and ideal for bringing life to the landscape when everything else turns brown. Here are 11 ground covers that stay green through cold weather.

Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme forms a fragrant, green carpet that thrives in poor soil and full sun. Its tiny leaves stay evergreen in mild winters and semi-evergreen in colder ones. It’s also a pollinator favorite that returns stronger each spring.

Pachysandra

This glossy, shade-loving ground cover is perfect under trees or along pathways. Pachysandra’s rich green leaves stay vibrant through frost and snow. It spreads quickly and suppresses weeds without much upkeep.

Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Vinca minor offers glossy green foliage and pretty violet-blue flowers. It stays lush all winter long, even in cooler climates. This hardy spreader is excellent for covering slopes or hard-to-mow areas.

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Known for its bright chartreuse color, creeping jenny brings cheer to gray winter days. It cascades beautifully over rocks, walls, and containers. The foliage remains semi-evergreen in colder zones and fully green in mild regions.

Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)

Wintercreeper’s leathery leaves hold their deep green—or variegated—color year-round. It climbs, trails, or spreads depending on how you plant it. Tough and adaptable, it’s perfect for borders or ground coverage.

Ajuga (Bugleweed)

Ajuga forms dense mats of colorful foliage, ranging from green to bronze and purple. It keeps its leaves through most winters and sends up pretty blue flower spikes in spring. It’s an excellent option for shady areas that need ground coverage.

Irish Moss (Sagina subulata)

Irish moss creates a soft, cushiony carpet of bright green foliage. It’s hardy in cold climates and tolerates frost with ease. When the weather warms, it rewards you with tiny white blooms.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Bearberry is a tough evergreen native ground cover that thrives in poor soil. Its small, glossy leaves stay green all winter and turn reddish-bronze in very cold weather. It’s ideal for erosion control and rocky areas.

Sedum (Stonecrop)

Some sedum varieties, like Sedum ‘Angelina,’ stay green or golden even through snow. These drought-tolerant plants handle harsh winters with ease. Their low profile makes them perfect for borders, slopes, or rock gardens.

Hellebore Leaves (Lenten Rose Foliage)

Though hellebores are prized for their blooms, their thick evergreen leaves are equally valuable. The foliage stays fresh and glossy through freezing weather. It adds depth and texture to garden beds year-round.

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox remains green under snow and bursts into color come spring. Its needle-like foliage forms dense mats that prevent weeds and erosion. It’s especially beautiful cascading over walls or garden edges.

Even when frost covers the ground, these resilient plants keep your garden looking lush and full of life. Evergreen ground covers are the quiet heroes of winter, bringing beauty and texture to every corner of the yard. With them, your landscape never truly feels bare.