Replace labor-intensive turf areas with attractive groundcovers that dramatically reduce mowing requirements, conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and add diverse textures to landscape compositions. Lark Landscape recommends proven groundcover species specifically adapted to Ankeny's climate conditions, soil types, and sun exposure variations. These living carpets provide year-round coverage while requiring minimal maintenance once established, making them ideal solutions for slopes, tree-shaded areas, and spaces where traditional turf struggles to thrive.

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) offers exceptional versatility, tolerating light foot traffic while releasing aromatic fragrance when stepped on. This Mediterranean native produces tiny purple, pink, or white flowers in early summer, creating colorful mats that attract beneficial pollinators. Thyme groundcover thrives in full sun with well-draining soil, making it perfect for areas between stepping stones, along walkway edges, and in rock gardens. Established plantings require no supplemental irrigation once root systems develop, and the dense growth naturally suppresses weed competition.

Sedum varieties, particularly Sedum album and Sedum spurium, excel in challenging growing conditions including poor soils, drought stress, and intense sun exposure where other plants fail. These succulent groundcovers store water in fleshy leaves, enabling survival during extended dry periods without irrigation. Spring brings clusters of small white, yellow, or red flowers depending on variety, while thick leaf coverage prevents weed germination. Sedum groundcovers spread gradually through creeping stems, eventually forming dense colonies that require minimal care beyond occasional edge trimming.

For shaded areas beneath tree canopies, wild ginger (Asarum canadense) creates lush green carpets with distinctive heart-shaped leaves that emerge fresh each spring. This native woodland species thrives in moist, organic-rich soils and provides excellent weed suppression through dense coverage. Companion plantings with ferns, trilliums, and spring ephemeral wildflowers create naturalistic woodland gardens requiring minimal intervention. Our installation process includes comprehensive soil conditioning with organic amendments, strategic weed mat placement where needed to accelerate establishment, and calculated planting densities to ensure rapid coverage and minimize gaps where weeds might establish.

Living walkways created by planting groundcovers between paver joints add softness to hardscape features while maintaining functionality. We recommend low-growing, traffic-tolerant species like moss, baby's tears, and corsican mint for these applications. Maintenance involves minimal spring cleanup, seasonal fertilization with organic amendments, and periodic edge trimming to maintain defined boundaries. View extensive groundcover installation galleries, species selection guides, and maintenance schedules on our Ankeny landscaping page to find the perfect low-maintenance solution for your landscape challenges.