The fastest growing ground cover plant for most gardens is Creeping Jenny. It can spread several feet in one growing season under the right conditions. Sweet woodruff comes in as a close second for shady areas. It fills gaps at a pace that surprises most first-time growers.
I planted a flat of Creeping Jenny along a shady border in late spring. Runners shot out in every direction within weeks. By the end of August it had covered three times the area I gave it. Sweet woodruff moved slower at first but caught up by the second season. It formed a thick carpet under my maple tree that looked great by fall.
My second test with ajuga gave me another surprise. I put six plugs in a partly shaded bed in early May and by September they had merged into one solid mat. Comparing all three to my slow-growing sedum plantings showed me just how much speed varies between species. You can save yourself a full year of waiting by picking the right fast grower for your spot.
The secret behind fast spreading ground cover species comes down to how they move across the soil. Plants like Creeping Jenny grow through stolons, which are above-ground stems that root at every node where they touch dirt. Sweet woodruff and ajuga spread through rhizomes, underground stems that push outward beneath the surface. Stolons tend to cover ground faster because they don't have to push through soil first, but rhizomes create denser root networks that hold up better long term.
You can fill large areas in one growing season with ajuga or Creeping Jenny. Space your plants 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 centimeters) apart. This gap gives each plant room to run without leaving bare soil for weeds. Fast spreading ground cover like these two work best when you water well for the first month and then step back.
If you want quick growing ground cover that fills in fast, your planting strategy matters just as much as the species you choose. Start with healthy plugs rather than tiny seedlings. Water every other day for the first two weeks. Apply a thin layer of compost mulch between plants to keep moisture in while they establish roots.
Here is the warning that most garden centers won't tell you: the fastest growers can become invasive if you don't set boundaries. Creeping Jenny will march right into your lawn, flower beds, and anywhere else it can reach. I learned this the hard way when mine jumped a stone border and invaded my herb garden. Install plastic or metal edging at least 4 inches (10 centimeters) deep around your planting area. You get the speed you want without the headache of pulling runners out of places they don't belong.
Read the full article: 10 Best Ground Cover Plants for Any Yard
