Evergreen ground cover plants work hardest where conventional planting struggles. Their dense foliage blocks light from reaching bare soil, suppressing weed growth without recurring intervention. Vinca minor, with dark green leaves and blue flowers from early spring into summer, spreads steadily to form a dense mat needing almost no maintenance. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is an outstanding evergreen ground cover for full sun and well-drained soil, producing pink flowers in early summer and releasing fragrance underfoot. Both are reliably hardy across London winters and tolerate partial shade.

For dry shade beneath established deciduous shrubs and trees, Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese spurge) offers deep green foliage and white flowers in late spring, tolerating poor soil where most ground cover plants fail. Spotted dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) is another dependable choice for shady conditions, producing silver-variegated leaves and pink flowers through spring and early summer. In sun or partial shade, Bergenia cordifolia (elephant's ears) forms bold clumps of large, glossy evergreen leaves that often turn red in cold weather, with pink flowers in early spring, and helps prevent soil erosion on banks and slopes.

Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens') is a semi-evergreen plant for shaded positions, where its near-black foliage creates striking contrast against stone or gravel. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) provides vivid blue flowers and white flowers in early spring on compact evergreen ground cover for sunny rock gardens and well-drained soil. Brunnera macrophylla is herbaceous rather than evergreen, but its heart-shaped leaves, silver-veined in 'Jack Frost', and forget-me-not blue spring flowers make it a leading ground cover for partial shade. Visit Boma Garden Centre in Kentish Town to see our full range of ground cover plants and take advice on spacing and soil preparation.