5 Native Ground Covers That Attract Wildlife

Native ground covers transform your yard into a wildlife sanctuary while requiring minimal maintenance. Consider planting Large-leaved Aster for late-season pollinators, Wild Strawberry and Lowbush Blueberry for edible fruits, and Bearberry for challenging sandy areas. These plants provide essential food sources, protective cover against predators, and nesting sites for birds and beneficial insects. By layering different native ground covers, you’ll create a resilient ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife throughout the seasons.

Native Ground Covers: Essential Urban Bird Habitats

Havens amid the concrete jungle, native ground covers transform urban spaces into essential sanctuaries for birds. When you plant species like bearberry and lowbush blueberry, you’re providing critical food sources that urban birds depend on for survival.

Dense colonies of wild geranium and large-leaved aster create protective cover that shields birds from predators lurking in city environments. Common strawberry offers edible fruits that attract diverse bird species, markedly boosting biodiversity in your neighborhood.

Beyond supporting wildlife directly, these native ground covers improve soil health and increase moisture retention, creating more hospitable environments for urban birds year-round.

Large-leaved Aster: A Pollinator and Seed Feast

While many native ground covers disappear beneath autumn’s first frost, Large-leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla) emerges as an essential late-season wildlife supporter.

You’ll find its pale violet blooms offering crucial nutrition to native bees and butterflies during fall months when food sources become scarce.

This resilient plant thrives in moist soil and partial shade, making it perfect for those challenging garden spots where other species struggle.

As it spreads through rhizomes, it forms colonies that create diverse microhabitats for wildlife while tolerating sandy conditions.

Wild Strawberry and Blueberry: Fruit-Bearing Sanctuaries

Unlike their showier flowering counterparts, native fruit-bearing ground covers offer a dual benefit to wildlife enthusiasts. By planting wild strawberry and lowbush blueberry, you’ll create sanctuaries that provide both food and habitat.

Wild strawberry blooms in spring, delivering an early nectar source for emerging pollinators, while its sweet fruits later nourish birds and small mammals.

Lowbush blueberry extends this feeding calendar with late summer fruits that attract diverse bird species.

Both native plants thrive in acidic soil and spread to form extensive patches that enhance biodiversity in your garden.

Their ground-hugging growth habit provides shelter for small wildlife while their fruits offer sustenance throughout the growing season.

These unassuming ground covers transform ordinary spaces into productive wildlife havens with minimal maintenance required.

Bearberry: Year-Round Bird Support in Sandy Soils

For gardeners with challenging sandy soils, bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) offers an exceptional wildlife partnership that extends beyond the fruiting season. This slow-growing perennial thrives where other plants struggle, creating stability through effective erosion control while supporting diverse wildlife.

1. You’ll notice urn-shaped flowers attracting bumblebees, boosting local pollinator populations during bloom time.
2. Its round red fruits provide essential winter nourishment for birds and small mammals when food sources are scarce.
3. The spreading colonies (3-6+ feet) create protective ground habitat for various wildlife species.
4. Its dense evergreen foliage offers year-round shelter and nesting opportunities for birds.

Creating Layered Wildlife Refuges With Native Ground Covers

Beyond mere ground decoration, layering native ground covers creates dynamic wildlife sanctuaries in even modest garden spaces. When you incorporate Wild Ginger in shady spots alongside Virginia Strawberry in sunnier areas, you’re establishing a continuous food source for pollinators while maximizing habitat potential.

These layered wildlife refuges strengthen local biodiversity while performing practical functions. Your ground covers will retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, and fill bare patches with life-supporting vegetation. By thoughtfully selecting plants with different bloom periods, you’ll create a resilient ecosystem that sustains wildlife year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Fastest Spreading Ground Cover?

Eastern Hay-Scented Fern is your fastest spreader. It’s highly aggressive, rapidly forming dense colonies in shaded areas. Wild Strawberry and Common Wild Ginger also spread quickly through their extensive rhizome systems.

Which Ground Cover Plant Is Best for Pollinators?

You’ll find Virginia Strawberry exceptionally valuable for pollinators, attracting native bees while producing edible fruits. Don’t overlook Trumpet Honeysuckle either—it’s a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees throughout the growing season.

What Is the Best Native Ground Cover to Stop Weeds?

Wild Geranium and Large-leaved Aster effectively suppress weeds by forming dense colonies. You’ll find Bearberry’s creeping nature prevents weed growth, while Lowbush Blueberry and Common Strawberry create thick mats that block weed establishment.

What Is the Best Non-Invasive Ground Cover?

You’ll find Wild Ginger and Allegheny Pachysandra excel in shade, while Green-and-Gold works in various conditions. Consider Virginia Creeper for colorful foliage, Creeping Phlox for spring blooms, or Lowbush Blueberry for edible benefits.

In Summary

You’ll find that adding these native ground covers transforms your yard into a vibrant wildlife sanctuary. By planting Large-leaved Aster, Wild Strawberry, Blueberry, and Bearberry, you’re providing food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and other creatures throughout the seasons. Don’t underestimate these low-growing plants—they’re ecological powerhouses that connect your urban space to the natural world while requiring minimal maintenance.