We have all types of ground covers for sun! Spring brings purple flower stalks to this drought-tolerant ground cover option that does just fine in full or part sun but also thrives in partial shade. Red creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum coccineus ) is a heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant ground cover that grows in zones 3 to 9. This drought tolerant perennial grass is an easy grower in full sun, and loves a hot, dry spot. Periwinkle. For best results, plant sweet alyssum in full sun or partial shade. Sweet alyssum is drought tolerant, frost resistant, and heat resistant, and it grows well in just about any soil. The best ground covers are low maintenance, stop erosion, cool the soil and beautify the landscape. Can get up to 5 feet tall; Prefers full sun; Suitable for Zones 5-9; Several varieties are late bloomers to add to autumn color; So hopefully you’ve found a few drought-tolerant perennial plants that are suitable for your area. In areas with mild winters and hot, dry summers, there may be certain parts of your garden that are baking hot and sunny, with limited or no irrigation. The Best Drought-Tolerant Ground Cover. Native to Africa and also known as vinca, this is one of the most heat tolerant of all annuals. Zones: 3-8. What’s not to love! Light: Full sun. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) Zones 5-9 Plant it around stepping stones; it gives off a … Zones 5-9. Zones: 3-10. It's deer-resistant, too. Zones: 5 to 7 Size: 2 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil Spacing: 3 feet apart for coverage in two seasons. These areas are ideal for shrubs that thrive in full sun and are drought tolerant. They are hardy through zones 5 to 8, though growers in zone 5 may find that thyme won’t survive the winter as perennials. Drought-tolerant shrubs that have a sunny position do not necessarily need to be spiky, thorny shrubs. Shade Ground Covers - Drought Tolerant Drought Proof Groundcovers for Shade. Thriving in full, hot sun, it blooms prolifically from early summer until frost. Buy It: ½-Pound Assorted Hens-and-Chicks, ($34, Mountain Crest Gardens) This variety does not reseed. Well behaved and neatly mounded with fine strappy foliage, this grass grows to 2 feet and sends up stalks of white plumes in early-mid summer. We'll help you find the best ground cover that will provide beauty, color, staying power and ease of use. Water: Plant in well-drained soil. Creeping Thyme: This European and North African native is an evergreen ground cover with flowers in shades of pink and purple. As always, I love to know your favorites! It is particularly useful as a ground cover, because it grows equally as well in sun or shade. Size: Up to 6 inches tall. It reaches only 8-12 inches high and makes a pretty ground cover, especially in flowerbeds and along walkways. It likes full sun and grows close to the ground at only two to four-inches tall. Thyme is drought-tolerant, often used in the sizzling heat of full-sun rock gardens, and available in a huge array of scents, leaf patterns, and bloom colors. 8. It's easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and needs almost no maintenance. Among this clan, however, there are a few that break the mold. A willow may seem like a very un-ground-cover-like choice: Most are trees or shrubs that thrive in damp places. Most trees and shrub will rob moisture from the soil making it difficult to establish groundcovers. Select from low maintenance, drought tolerant, evergreen, fast growing, wet areas, slopes or plants that you can walk on. In just about any soil and grows close to the ground at only two to tall. In shades of pink and purple thrive in full sun and are drought drought. Rob moisture from the soil and beautify the drought-tolerant ground cover full sun zone 5 it: ½-Pound Assorted Hens-and-Chicks, $. 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