Ground covers often play a quiet role in the garden, but their impact is far greater than it first appears. These low-growing plants do more than fill gaps between shrubs and trees. They add texture, prevent erosion, and create cohesion across a landscape. In both residential and commercial landscape design projects throughout Sydney and across Australia, ground covers are being used as integral elements that complete a garden rather than simply decorate it.
At Inspired Exteriors, every project considers ground covers as part of a broader design vision. They connect materials & forms and bring a level of softness. More importantly they make each garden feel layered and resolved.
The Role of Ground Covers in Landscape Design
Ground covers influence how a garden feels and functions. From above, broad sweeps of foliage create visual rhythm and unity. At ground level, they soften hard edges, link taller plantings, and complement architectural features such as paving, walls, or steps.
They are also highly practical. On sloped sites, ground covers stabilise soil and reduce erosion. Along coastal areas, they anchor sand and withstand exposure to wind and salt. In dry conditions, drought-tolerant species thrive where lawns or larger shrubs might fail. This flexibility makes them invaluable in both structured and naturalistic landscapes.
To learn more about how planting can contribute to a balanced and biodiverse landscape, see our article on Naturalistic Garden Design.
Selecting the Right Ground Covers for your Location
When selecting ground covers as part of a landscape design, the key is to balance performance with aesthetic value. Australia offers a broad palette of native and adaptive species that provide year-round interest, texture, and resilience.
Some of our most favoruite selections include:
- Viola hederacea (Native Violet): A hardy spreader for both sun and shade, producing soft purple and white flowers.
- Ajuga australis: Compact and lush, ideal for shaded garden floors with deep-toned foliage and mauve flowers.
- Banksia blechnifolia: A low-growing banksia with distinctive serrated foliage and sculptural flower spikes, perfect for dry sites.
- Carpobrotus virescens: A vigorous succulent with bright flowers, ideal for coastal gardens and erosion control.
- Westringia ‘Low Horizon’: A dense, low form of coastal rosemary that works beautifully in structured edging or mass planting.
- Casuarina ‘Cousin It’: Mop-like cascading foliage that adds drama and softness in contemporary designs.
By combining species suited to light, soil, and moisture conditions, ground covers can unify planting schemes and create natural transitions between architectural materials and garden elements.
How We Use Ground Covers in Landscape Design
In our landscape design Sydney projects, ground covers are never an afterthought. They are incorporated from the earliest design stages to ensure a strong connection between structure and planting.
In formal gardens, they may be clipped for order and repetition. In looser designs, they weave organically between stone, steps, or hedging, softening transitions and adding movement. Lighting can also highlight their texture after dark, making them an active part of the garden’s composition at all hours.
Mulching plays a role in establishing ground covers, but depth should be managed carefully to retain moisture and prevent weed growth without encouraging rot. Regular top-ups as mulch breaks down help maintain healthy soil and promote long-term resilience.
Why Ground Covers Matter
Ground covers sit at the lowest layer of a garden, yet they influence the entire design. They create unity between built and planted elements, moderate microclimates, and introduce tactile detail that invites closer interaction. When combined with thoughtful structure and materiality, they can transform a space from incomplete to cohesive.
At Inspired Exteriors, we design landscapes where every layer, from canopy trees to the smallest groundcover, works together in harmony. As leaders in landscape design, our goal is to create spaces that perform beautifully, feel authentic, and evolve gracefully over time.
CONTACT US TODAY to discuss how ground covers can enrich your next project.
