Ground Cover Plants With Pink Flowers (With Pictures) – Identification Guide 

Pink-flowering ground cover plants are ideal landscaping solutions to create a colorful mat of pink and green colors. Ground cover plants with pink flowers can grow in the shade to add a pop of color under shrubs, along fences, or in a north-facing garden. Additionally, full-sun ground-hugging plants with pink flowers provide colorful ground cover through summer despite growing in intense sunshine.

Planting mat-forming, spreading plants is perfect for covering bare ground in a garden landscape. However, pink-flowering ground cover plants also help with soil erosion, prevent weeds from growing, cover a foundation line, and generally beautify a front or backyard.

This article is an identification guide to choosing the best ground cover plants with pink flowers for your yard. Descriptions and pictures of perennial and evergreen ground-hugging spreading plants will help you choose the best varieties to plant in your garden. 

What Are Ground Cover Plants With Pink Flowers?

Ground cover plants with pink flowers are low-growing plants with a spreading habit. The plants typically grow between a few inches tall and 1 ft. (30 cm). The plants create a carpet of green foliage and shades of pink as they spread by rooting their stems in the ground. 

Ground covers can be perennial plants, meaning that they die back in winter before returning in spring to grow foliage and blossom. Some spreading cover plants are annuals and require planting every year to fill a border, bed, or cover bare ground with color. Other ground cover plants are evergreen and are perfect for keeping color in your garden throughout the year. 

Some ground covers are described as “evergreen perennials.” This term means they are evergreen in warmer climates, usually in USDA growing zones 7 to 11. However, planted in colder regions, the plants grow as “tender perennials.” Therefore, they die back to the ground when the temperature drops before coming back in spring. 

The Best Ground Cover Plants With Pink Flowers

The best pink-blooming ground cover plants are typically low-growing plants that form an attractive, colorful mat over bare ground.

The best ground covers with pink flowers are creeping thyme, pink bugleweed, creeping phlox, and pink-spotted deadnettle. Other good additions to a bare landscape are pink pansies, cranesbill, and sedum.

Usually, the flowering carpet-forming plants are fast-growing and low-maintenance. And the best ground covers are evergreen flowering plants with pink flowers. Examples of excellent ground-covering plants are clumping, trailing, and creeping varieties.

Why Plant Ground Cover Plants With Pink Flowers

Plants that create a carpet of foliage are all-around problem-solving landscape solutions. The ground-hugging trailing, creeping, or mound-forming plants inhibit weed growth, retain soil moisture, prevent soil erosion, and attract pollinators. In many cases, the best ground cover plants are an excellent replacement for turf grass in areas where grass cannot grow well.

Ground Cover Plants With Pink Flowers (With Pictures) – Identification Guide

The best ground cover plants with pink flowers offer a wide range of flowering seasons, growing habits, and tolerance for shade and sun. With so many to choose from, you can use them as a background for landscapes or as an accent for your flower beds. Here are some of the best examples of pink-blooming ground cover plants.

Pink Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)

Pink creeping thyme is a dense, low-growing plant with small pink flowers best suited to rock gardens, shady borders, and mass planting. The dwarf ground cover plant blooms profusely throughout the summer, filling landscapes with floral aromas, pink-purplish flowers, and evergreen foliage.

Pink creeping thyme grows 3” (7.5 cm) tall and spreads up to 12” (30 cm) by rooting stems in the soil. The densely-growing dwarf shrub thrives in USDA zones 4 to 9 and requires full sun and average, well-drained soil. 

Landscaping ideas for planting mat-forming creeping thyme include filling between stepping stones, edging borders or driveways, adding color to rock gardens, and covering bare soil. 

Here are some beautiful examples of evergreen, pink-flowering ground cover creeping thyme plants:

Moonlight thyme (Thymus leucotrichus): The ornamental carpet-forming ‘Moonlight’ cultivar features attractive light pink flowers with a dark purple or lavender center. The slow-growing plant grows 8” (20 cm) tall and 18” (45 cm) wide. 

Red creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum coccineum): This cultivar is an aromatic, herbaceous pink flowering shrub that creates a mat of light pink flowers with emerald-green foliage. 

Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Pink Chintz’): Identifying features of this sun-loving ground cover are tiny pale-pink flowers, aromatic fuzzy, dark-green leaves, and a low growth habit. The pink flowering shrub doesn’t grow taller than 2” (5 cm).

Pink Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata)

Pink creeping phlox is a beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover plant to add a pop of color to your sunny garden. This attractive low-growing plant creates a soft mat of evergreen foliage and fragrant, vibrant pink flowers. Creeping phlox has five-petaled, star-shaped flowers in various pink shades. 

Also called moss phlox due to its low height and soft green ground cover, creeping phlox thrives in USDA zones 3 to 9. The creeping stems have vigorous growth in full sun or dappled shade. It’s also drought-tolerant and performs well in most soil types. 

Plant pink-flowering creeping phlox in a landscape as a foundation planting, edging plant, erosion control, or to enhance a rock garden. Phlox is one of the most spectacular flowering ground cover plants for adding a splash of color to sunny gardens. 

Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Pink’: This perennial ground cover plant is evergreen in hot climates and has vibrant, starry pink flowers and dark green needle-like leaves. The plant grows 6” (15 cm) tall and 24” (60 cm) wide. 

Phlox subulata ‘Crimson Beauty’: The pretty blanket-forming pink phlox shrub is covered in star-shaped deep pink flowers from spring until early summer. The dainty pink phlox flowers have a deep red starry center. 

Phlox subulata ‘Scarlet Flame’: This creeping phlox cultivar is an evergreen perennial with masses of magenta pink flowers in mid to late spring. The creeping plant for full sun or dappled shade grows 6” (15 cm) tall and 24” (60 cm) wide. 

Pink Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Pink bugleweed is a ground cover plant with pink flowers that forms a colorful blanket in shaded gardens. Fast-growing bugleweed flowers are attractive rosettes that bloom on short, erect spikes. When blooming in spring and early summer, pink bugleweed creates a striking pop of color thanks to its showy flowers. 

Ground-hugging pink bugleweed is suitable for growing in partial to full shade. The easy-grow perennial plant is evergreen in warmer climates and will grow in USDA zones 3 to 10. Pink bugleweed grows 4” to 8” (10 – 20 cm) tall and up to 24” (60 cm) wide.

This versatile ground cover plant with pink flowers is ideal for planting under shrubs and trees, on slopes for erosion control, or filling spaces between stepping stones. 

Ajuga reptans ‘Rosea’: This bugleweed cultivar has glossy, bright green foliage and spikes of pale pink flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. Ideal for ground cover planting in full shade and cold regions. 

Ajuga reptans ‘Purple Torch’: This attractive light-pink-flowering ground cover has dainty pink-lilac flowers. 

Cape Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

Cape periwinkle is a sun-loving, herbaceous ground cover plant with trailing vines covered in rosy-pink flowers. Blooming all summer long, cape periwinkle has showy tubular pink, pale purple, or white flowers and glossy-green spoon-shaped leaves. The attractive mat-forming plant spreads up to 3 ft. (1 m) wide.

Cape periwinkle is suitable for USDA zones 10-11. So depending on the climate, cape periwinkle grows as an annual, tender perennial, or evergreen ground cover in warm climates. You should grow the sprawling vining plant in full sun or partial shade where there is good drainage. 

Apart from growing as flowering ground cover, cape periwinkle is suitable for planting in beds, borders, containers, and drought-tolerant gardens. 

Pink Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)

Pink-spotted deadnettle is an attractive ground cover plant with pink flowers for shade gardens. This spreading perennial plant has small hooded pink flowers growing in attractive whorls, and heart-shaped leaves with serrated margins. The semi-evergreen ground cover also keeps its foliage in mild winters. 

Pink-spotted deadnettle is suitable for planting in USDA zones 3 to 8. Landscaping uses include ground cover, planting along a foundation line, using as ground cover under shrubs and trees, and brightening up a shade garden. 

Lamium maculatum ‘Shell Pink’: This cultivar features pale pink, almost white flowers blooming among dark green foliage. 

Lamium maculatum ‘Pink Pewter’: The outstanding feature of this deadnettle plant is its silvery leaves with narrow green margins and pale pink blossoms that persist throughout summer in full shade.

Lamium maculatum ‘Roseum’: A spectacular deadnettle ground cover with magenta pink hooded flowers and dark green, heart-shaped leaves with a creamy white stripe in the middle.

Lamium maculatum ‘Chequers’: Colorful variegated mounding foliage and rosy-pink leaves make this perennial excellent ground cover for partial to full shade conditions.

Lamium maculatum ‘Beacon Silver’: The semi-evergreen carpet-forming plant has small pinkish-lavender flowers growing on stems covered in silvery-pale green heart-shaped leaves.

Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’: This deadnettle cultivar has deep pink-magenta blossoms from late spring to summer and silvery-pale green leaves. Plant in partial shade to enjoy the best pink colors from this mat-forming perennial.

Pink Pansy (Viola)

Pink pansies are grown as annuals or tender perennials and are ideal for flowering ground cover throughout spring and summer. Pansies are known for the brightly-colored flowers in many vibrant shades of pink, yellow, red, blue, and purple. Pansies are typically low-growing plants, and flowering cultivars are available for most climates. 

Viola wittrockiana ‘Delta Pink Shades’: The stunning pink pansy for ground cover has pale pink and lilac petals with striking deep purple veins and a contrasting yellow throat in the center. 

Pink Betony (Stachys officinalis ‘Pink Cotton Candy’) 

Pink betony is an eye-catching perennial ground cover with spikes of vibrantly-colored pink flowering spikes emerging from glossy, dark-green foliage. The pink flowers on this ground cover plant are tiny, two-lipped tubular blossoms. The mounding plant has semi-evergreen oblong leaves growing up to 5” (13 cm) long.

Pink betony has a dense, clumping habit that spreads to form excellent ground cover. The vivid cotton candy pink flowers bloom from early summer through fall. Pink betony is suitable for USDA zones 4 through 8, growing up to 24” (60 cm) tall and wide.

Wall Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)

Wall germander is a low-growing clumping plant with pinkish-purple flowers that bloom in midsummer for up to four weeks. The attractive features of wall germander are its dark green aromatic leaves with their serrated margins and attractive tubular pink flowers. This pink-flowering ground cover plant grows 12” (30 cm) tall and 24” (60 cm) wide.

Wall germander grows as an evergreen perennial in USDA zones 5 to 9. Suitable for small-scale ground cover in full sun, the pink plant is ideal for edging, planting in beds and borders, and coastal gardens. 

Cranesbill (Geranium) 

Cranesbill is an eye-catching ground cover perennial with pink flowers. The low-growing plant spreads with rhizomatous roots, quickly covering bare ground. The attractive open cup-shaped flowers grow at the end of thin stems, and the deeply lobed leaves provide dense ground cover. 

Ideal for full to partial sun, cranesbill thrives in USDA zones 3 to 8 and is easy to grow in most landscapes. Additionally, the plant’s long blooming season gives it tremendous ornamental value. 

Endres Cranesbill (Geranium endressii): The pink flowers on the mat-forming Endres cranesbill have five heart-shaped pink petals with dark pink veining and a white throat. 

Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum): The beautiful cup-shaped pink cranesbill flowers are a vivid magenta-pink color that bloom from late spring until early fall. 

Pink Bellflower (Campanula)

Pink bellflower is a spectacular flowering ground cover plant with showy bell-shaped pink flowers. Blooming freely throughout summer, pink campanula creates a carpet of pink colors and green foliage. The low-growing perennial grows up to 12” (30 cm) tall and 36” (100 cm) wide. 

Grow pink campanula in full sun or partial shade in USDA zones 3 to 9. 

Wall Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana): This cultivar has pinkish-purple blossoms with five pointed petals forming a trumpet shape. 

Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium): When in bloom during summer, this spectacular ground cover plant is a mass of bell-shaped, light pink flowers contrasting with dark green foliage. 

Stonecrop (Sedum)

Stonecrop is a ground cover plant known for its large, attractive clusters of pink flowers consisting of star-shaped blossoms. The colorful cymes (umbrella-shaped clusters) bloom from spring until fall and perform best in full sunlight or partial shade. Stonecrop grows 24” (60 cm) tall and 36” (100 cm) wide.

Plant stonecrop as full sun ground cover in USDA zones 3 to 9. The eye-catching drought-tolerant plant tolerates most soil types if they are well-draining. 

Sedum sieboldii: The spectacular pink cymes consist of tiny pink and white starry flowers with protruding pink stamens creating a fuzzy appearance. 

Sedum spectabile ‘Brilliant’: If you are looking for ground cover with large, darker pink flowers, this stonecrop cultivar is ideal. The flat clusters of pink flowers create a showy ground-level floral display. 

Sedum spectabile x Sedum telephium ‘Autumn Joy’: The sun-loving ‘Autumn Joy’ stonecrop cultivar has soft pink flowers that turn deeper rosy-red in the fall. 

Pink Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa ‘Siskiyou’)

Pink evening primrose is a ground-hugging perennial with masses of pale pink saucer-shaped flowers. The papery pink blooms contrast with the deep-green, lance-shaped leaves. Pink evening primrose blooms from late spring through midsummer. The trailing, low-growing plant grows 8” (20 cm) tall and 24” (60 cm) wide. 

Suitable for USDA zones 4 to 9 in full sun and well-draining soils.  

Crown Vetch (Securigera varia) 

Crown vetch is a shade-tolerant ground cover plant with delicate flowers in pink pastel shades. The vigorous low-growing plant with its rhizome roots is perfect for erosion control. Small clusters of pink flowers bloom from early summer through the end of fall. The flowering plant is ideal for covering bare soil thanks to the densely growing fern-like foliage. 

Crown vetch is suitable for growing in USDA zones 3 through 7.

Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoidea ‘Red Cascade’)

Rock cress creates a ground-hugging mat of deep pink to magenta flowers and evergreen foliage. The mounding flowering plant grows 4” (10 cm) tall and spreads up to 18” (45 cm). The identifying features of the evergreen perennial are four-petaled deep pink or magenta spring-blooming flowers, small leaves, and a low-growing habit. 

Rock cress is suitable for growing in USDA zones 4 to 9. 

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