Top 10 Groundcovers for Zone 6b: Easy, Beautiful Plants That Fill In Fast

1. Why Groundcovers Are a Smart Summer Move

If you live in the New Hampshire Seacoast and you're looking to fill in bare spots, reduce weeds, or add low-maintenance color to your garden, choosing the right groundcovers should be at the top of your list. Groundcovers aren’t just space-fillers; they help retain moisture, prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and add texture and seasonal interest to your landscape. Groundcovers do more than fill space — they help suppress weeds, retain moisture, and reduce garden maintenance. From June through August, the warm soil and consistent summer moisture make this a great time to plant groundcovers in Zone 6b. They settle in quickly with a bit of care and offer long-term benefits for soil health and curb appeal.

💡 Note: While summer is a great time to plant, early spring (April–May) and early fall (September–early October) are also ideal planting windows in Zone 6b. Just avoid planting once frost risk returns in late fall through winter.

2. Signs Your Landscape Needs Groundcover

Noticing bare patches under trees, mulch slipping down slopes, or weeds creeping into your flower beds? These are all signs your garden could benefit from strategic groundcover planting. Groundcovers can stabilize tricky spots, improve visual flow, and cut back on weeding time—all while adding seasonal color and texture. By June, your garden is likely in full swing—but you might be noticing areas that feel unfinished or hard to manage. Bare spots under trees, edges where weeds keep popping up, or slopes where mulch won’t stay in place—these are all signs your garden could benefit from the right groundcover.

Here are 10 top-performing groundcovers we recommend for Seacoast gardeners in towns like Rye, Hampton, and Hampton Falls.

1. Creeping Phlox

Bright spring blooms in pinks, purples, and whites that form a dense, spreading mat. Perfect for slopes or rock gardens.

2. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Golden green foliage that spreads fast. Excellent around stepping stones or along garden edges.

3. Sweet Woodruff

Delicate white spring flowers with fragrant foliage. Thrives in shady, moist spots.

4. Ajuga (Bugleweed)

Low-growing, glossy foliage with purple flower spikes in spring. Great for shady areas under trees.

5. Woolly Thyme

Soft, fuzzy texture and small purple flowers. A fragrant, walkable groundcover that works well between stepping stones.

6. Sedum (Stonecrop)

Drought-tolerant and sun-loving. Sedum comes in many varieties, offering both color and texture year-round.

7. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Glossy evergreen leaves and violet-blue flowers. A tough, spreading groundcover for shade to partial sun.

8. Coreopsis ‘Nana’

Compact and cheerful, with long-blooming yellow flowers. Great for sunny spots and pollinator-friendly gardens.

9. Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill)

Spreads gently with colorful blooms from late spring through summer. Foliage turns red in fall.

10. Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Evergreen foliage with a burst of white flowers in spring. Ideal for borders and rock gardens.

Why Groundcovers Matter

Groundcovers don’t just look good—they help suppress weeds, hold in moisture, and stabilize slopes. Plus, many of these plants attract pollinators, stay low to the ground, and don’t require constant care.

Need Help Planning the Right Mix?

At Seacoast Gardener, we help homeowners choose plant combinations that look great and work with our local climate. Whether you're tackling a slope, filling in under trees, or just want a no-fuss flowerbed, we can help you pick groundcovers that thrive in Zone 6b.

Contact us for a free consultation. Let’s build a garden that fills in beautifully.