The Short Answer: Low growing perennials are plants that return year after year and stay compact, typically under 12 inches tall. Gardeners love them because they’re easy to care for, work well as ground cover, and add color and texture to rock gardens, borders, and other tricky spots.
These hardworking plants solve common landscaping problems with very little upkeep once they’re established. From heathers that bloom through winter months to hellebores that thrive in shade, low growing perennials offer something for every garden style and growing condition. Whether you want to prevent soil erosion on a slope, fill gaps between stepping stones, or create a living carpet of color, these compact plants bring reliable beauty season after season.
What Are Low Growing Perennials?
Low growing perennials are plants that stay under 12 to 18 inches tall and return each growing season. Unlike annuals that only last one year, these perennial plants develop strong root systems that survive winter months and produce fresh growth each spring.
Defining Characteristics
Several traits make low growing perennials stand out in the garden:
- Compact growth habit: These plants spread horizontally rather than reaching upward, making them ideal for edging and ground cover applications.
- Strong root systems: Deep or spreading roots help with erosion control on slopes and banks while allowing the plant to survive harsh conditions.
- Year after year performance: Once established, most varieties return for many years with minimal intervention.
- Seasonal interest: Many offer attractive foliage, interesting textures, or blooms from early spring through late fall.
Why Gardeners Choose Them
Low growing perennials do more than add beauty. They solve real landscaping problems. They suppress weeds by covering bare soil, reduce lawn maintenance in difficult areas, and tolerate foot traffic better than taller plants. For gardeners in cooler climates or those dealing with poor soil, many varieties show impressive drought tolerance and adaptability to challenging soil conditions.
Popular Low Growing Perennials for Your Garden
The world of low growing perennials offers tremendous variety. Here are some categories and standout performers worth considering, for your garden beds, borders, rock gardens, and groundcover needs.
Heathers and Heaths
Heathers are an excellent choice for year-round color and texture. Calluna vulgaris varieties like 'Trinklet' grow up to 15 inches tall and bloom with mauve flowers in summer. Erica carnea 'Wintersonne' stays between 6-12 inches and produces pink flowers from late winter through early spring. Most heathers are evergreen ground covers that do best in full sun with well-drained soil and acidic conditions.
Shade-Loving Options
For partial shade to full shade areas, several low growing perennials excel:
- Hellebores: These deer-resistant plants produce white flowers, pink flowers, and purple flowers from late winter into early spring when little else blooms.
- Japanese forest grass: This ornamental grass creates soft, arching mounds of green or gold foliage in shady spots.
Sun-Loving Ground Covers
Areas with direct sunlight and full sun exposure support different varieties:
- Creeping thyme: Fragrant foliage, tubular flowers, and excellent tolerance for foot traffic make this a rock garden favorite.
- Sedums: Succulent leaves and star-shaped flowers attract beneficial insects while thriving in poor soil.
- Perennial geranium: Compact varieties produce daisy-like flowers in pink, purple, and white through early summer and late summer.
- Dianthus: Bright yellow flowers, pink blooms, and spicy fragrance characterize these cottage garden classics.
Native Plant Options
Native plant species adapted to your USDA hardiness zone often perform best with minimal care. Wild strawberry and creeping phlox provide food and habitat for local wildlife while requiring little supplemental water once established.
Growing Conditions and Care Requirements
Success with low growing perennials starts with matching plants to your site conditions.
Light Requirements
Most low growing perennials fall into three light preference categories.
- Full sun: These plants thrive with six or more hours of direct sunlight daily, making them ideal for open, south-facing areas of your garden.
- Partial shade: These varieties prefer morning sun with afternoon protection, perfect for spots that get dappled light or sit beneath taller plants.
- Shade tolerant: These options handle less than four hours of direct light and work well under trees or along north-facing borders.
Soil Preferences
While specific needs vary, most low growing perennials share common soil conditions preferences:
- Drainage matters most: Well-drained soil prevents root rot, the leading cause of perennial death.
- Fertility varies: Some thrive in poor soil while others appreciate amended beds.
- pH considerations: Heathers require acidic conditions while many others tolerate a range.
Low Maintenance Care
These plants earn their low maintenance reputation through simple care routines. Water deeply but infrequently during the first growing season to encourage deep roots. Once established, most need supplemental water only during extended dry spells. Light pruning after flowering keeps plants compact and encourages next season's blooms. A thin layer of mulch protects roots during winter months while suppressing weeds.
Design Ideas and Landscape Uses
Low growing perennials solve design challenges while creating beautiful garden spaces.
Rock Gardens and Slopes
Rock gardens showcase low growing perennials perfectly. Tuck plants between stones where they soften hard edges and spill over surfaces. On slopes, ground cover plants prevent soil erosion while eliminating difficult mowing. Choose varieties with spreading habits and strong root systems for the best erosion control results.
Borders and Edging
Create defined garden border edges with neat mounds of foliage and flowers. Plant in drifts of three to seven for natural-looking groupings. Combine different bloom times so color moves through the garden from early spring through early fall.
Pathways and Pavers
Between stepping stones and along walkways, low growing perennials withstand partial sun and occasional foot traffic. Creeping varieties fill gaps with greenery and release pleasant scents when brushed. This approach reduces maintenance compared to traditional lawn grass in these challenging spots.
Creating Focal Points
Mass plantings of a single variety create dramatic impact. A sweep of blooming heather becomes a focal point when other plants rest dormant. Combine ornamental grasses with flowering perennials for year-round texture and movement.
Singing Tree Gardens Nursery: Your Partner in Low Growing Perennials
Finding quality low growing perennials starts with a nursery that understands these special plants. Singing Tree Gardens Nursery has spent decades cultivating unusual and hard-to-find varieties that thrive in Pacific Northwest conditions and beyond.
Whether you garden on the West Coast or ship plants to your East Coast location, Singing Tree Gardens provides the expertise and plant quality that serious gardeners appreciate. Browse our online collection or visit the nursery in person to discover plants that will bring lasting beauty to your landscape.