For sunny areas with well-drained soil, creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) covers the ground while only growing 4 to 6 inches tall.
Hardy plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), sometimes called leadwort, forms a mat over the ground by spreading via rhizomes, aka underground stems.
his shrub will spread to become 6 to 8 feet across and 2 to 3 feet tall, so it won't take many plants to fill in a large area.
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a low-growing ground cover plant that quickly spreads mats of foliage.
If you have dry and sunny conditions, several varieties of Sedum spurium should keep weeds from taking hold.
For a native plant option, Kathy Jentz, author of Groundcover Revolution, recommends groundsel (Packera aurea), sometimes called butterweed, golden ragwort or senecio.
To brighten up shady areas, try Lamium maculatum. Most varieties have variegated foliage, which, along with white or purplish-pink flowers, lets them stand out in the shade.
he plants stay low to the ground, usually shorter than 12 inches, and spread out via rhizomes.