Coral bells are the prettiest ground cover you can grow because no other low plant offers this many color options. You can find purple, silver, lime green, amber, and near-black foliage in this one species alone. That range of shades makes coral bells the top pick when you want ground cover that grabs your attention all season long.
I've tested many colorful ground cover plants side by side in my own beds over the past five years. Creeping thyme gives you great texture but only green leaves with small flowers. Ajuga comes in purple and bronze tones but offers just two or three color options. Lamium brings you silver-streaked green leaves and that's about it. My coral bells section had eight different colors growing at the same time, and every single one looked stunning from spring through late fall.
Coral bells work as a low growing perennial ground cover because they form tight mounds that spread 6 to 12 inches tall and about 12 to 18 inches wide. Each plant fills its space over two to three growing seasons. In zones 6 and warmer, the leaves stay on the plant through winter, giving you year-round coverage without bare spots. This semi-green winter habit sets them apart from most ground covers that vanish after frost.
The best varieties for mass planting as ground cover include 'Palace Purple', 'Plum Pudding', and 'Caramel'. These are strong growers that fill in fast and hold their color well even in less than perfect conditions. I planted a 20-foot border of 'Palace Purple' four years ago at 16 inches apart. By the end of year two, the plants had grown together into a solid carpet of deep plum foliage that stops people on the sidewalk.
Space your coral bells 14 to 18 inches apart when using them as ground cover. This feels too far apart on planting day, but the gaps close by the second season. Crowding them tighter leads to poor air flow and mildew problems down the road. Water your new plants well through the first summer and they'll reward you with a dense, weed-blocking mat of foliage by the following spring.
You can also mix coral bells with other ground covers for a layered look. Plant creeping thyme or sedum in the gaps between your coral bells during year one. The small fillers hold down weeds while your coral bells grow in. As the heuchera spreads, it takes over and the fillers either blend in or move to the edges. This combo gives you a garden bed that looks finished from day one instead of waiting two years for full coverage.
Read the full article: Coral Bells: How to Grow and Care Guide
