Bare Patch? There’s a Plant for That
Every garden seems to have one.
A bare patch beneath a shrub. An awkward space beside a path. A border edge that never quite looks finished. Or a gap between larger plants that you just cannot decide what to do with.
The good news is that these forgotten spaces can become some of the prettiest parts of your garden.
The right ground cover plants and low-growing perennials can spread between larger plants, soften hard edges and help cover exposed soil while bringing extra flowers, foliage and colour into your planting.
Here are five plants to consider when you want to fill those awkward garden gaps.
Geranium Rozanne — for long-lasting border colour
If you want to fill a gap while adding plenty of flower colour, Geranium Rozanne is a great place to start.
Its masses of violet-blue flowers spread naturally through borders from summer into autumn, making it particularly useful around larger shrubs or towards the front of a border.
Rather than leaving exposed soil between bigger plants, Geranium Rozanne can help create a softer, fuller-looking planting scheme.
Best for:
- Fronts of borders
- Around larger shrubs
- Filling spaces between established plants
- Adding long-lasting violet-blue colour
Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’ — for sunny paths and border edges
For a softer, more relaxed look around paths and sunny border edges, try Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’.
Its lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage create naturally rounded mounds that work beautifully alongside paths, roses and other sunny border planting.
Once established, it is also wonderfully easy to care for, making it a useful choice when you want an informal planting style without making the border feel overly busy.
Best for:
- Sunny border edges
- Beside paths
- Planting around roses
- Softening harder garden edges
Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’ — for colourful evergreen ground cover
Not every gap needs more flowers.
Sometimes foliage is exactly what a border is missing.
Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’ forms a low carpet of green, cream and burgundy foliage, bringing year-round colour to partially shaded borders while helping cover bare soil.
The mixture of foliage colours also makes it useful for adding contrast beneath taller plants.
Best for:
- Partially shaded borders
- Bare soil between larger plants
- Low evergreen ground cover
- Adding foliage colour and texture
Vinca minor — for sun or partial shade
Vinca minor is another useful evergreen ground-cover plant for those awkward spaces where you want reliable coverage.
Its spreading green foliage forms a dense carpet while violet-blue flowers add seasonal colour.
It can be particularly useful in borders, on banks and in spaces beneath shrubs where exposed soil can otherwise make an established planting scheme look unfinished.
Best for:
- Beneath shrubs
- Borders and banks
- Sun or partial shade
- Evergreen ground cover
- Areas where you want spreading foliage
Erigeron karvinskianus — for rockeries, walls and steps
Some of the hardest garden gaps are not really borders at all.
They are the little spaces between stones, beside steps or around paving.
That is where Erigeron karvinskianus, commonly known as Mexican fleabane, can be particularly effective.
Let it tumble between stones, soften walls and spill naturally over steps and paving for a relaxed, established look.
Its masses of small daisy-like flowers open white before gradually turning pink, bringing a soft mixture of colour throughout the warmer months.
Best for:
- Rockeries
- Walls
- Steps
- Paving edges
- Informal planting schemes
Which ground cover plant should I choose?
The best choice depends on the gap you are trying to fill.
If you want lots of flower colour at the front of a border, look at Geranium Rozanne.
For a sunny path or soft border edge, Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ creates a relaxed mound of lavender-blue flowers.
If the space is partially shaded and you want colourful evergreen foliage, Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’ is worth considering.
For spreading evergreen coverage beneath shrubs or across bare soil, Vinca minor is a useful option.
And if your awkward gap is around walls, rockeries, paving or steps, Erigeron karvinskianus can create a much softer, more natural-looking finish.
Turn awkward gaps into part of the planting
Bare patches do not have to spoil an otherwise beautiful border.
Instead of treating them as empty spaces, think of them as an opportunity to add another layer to the garden.
Choose a plant that suits the position, water it well while it establishes and give it time to spread into a fuller display year after year.
Whether you want violet-blue flowers, evergreen foliage or something that will tumble naturally over a wall, there is usually a plant that can make even the most awkward gap feel intentional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good plants for filling bare patches in a garden?
Good options depend on the position and the look you want to create. Geranium Rozanne works well for flower colour in borders, Nepeta can soften sunny paths and edges, while Ajuga and Vinca are useful where low-growing coverage is needed.
What can I plant beneath shrubs?
Vinca minor can be used in spaces beneath shrubs, where its spreading evergreen foliage helps cover exposed soil. Geranium Rozanne can also be planted around larger shrubs where the conditions suit it.
What plants are good for the edge of a border?
Geranium Rozanne works well towards the front of borders, while Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ creates soft lavender-blue mounds beside sunny paths and border edges.
What is a good evergreen ground cover plant?
Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’ provides colourful evergreen foliage in partially shaded borders, while Vinca minor creates a spreading green carpet with violet-blue seasonal flowers.
What can I plant around steps and paving?
Erigeron karvinskianus is ideal for creating an informal look around steps, paving, walls and rockeries, where its small flowers can spill naturally over harder surfaces.