Ground Covers with Brilliant Orange Flowers to Brighten Your Landscape

Ground covers are low-growing plants that spread to form a dense mat, filling in empty spaces while requiring minimal care. Their short stature and spreading nature make them perfect choices to plant under trees on slopes and in other areas where turfgrass and taller plants don’t thrive. When selected wisely, ground covers can add splashes of color to formerly barren spots in your landscape. One of the most vibrant hues that ground covers provide is orange. Let’s explore some of the best options for ground covers boasting beautiful orange blooms.

Why Use Orange Flowering Ground Covers

There are many reasons to consider incorporating ground covers with orange flowers into your outdoor space:

• Add pops of warm, vibrant color to dull areas
• Provide nectar for pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds
• Fill in spaces between stepping stones or pavers
• Prevent soil erosion on banks and slopes
• Block weeds in beds and borders
• Replace water-hungry grass under trees and in shade
• Bring striking color near entries, patios, and walkways
• Mix with other hues for stunning color combinations
• Brighten up the autumn landscape with late seasonal color

Perfect Conditions for Orange Ground Covers

While specific needs vary by plant, most orange flowering ground covers thrive under these conditions:

• Full sun to partial shade – At least 4 hours of direct sun daily
• Moist, well-draining soil – Sandy or loamy soils often work best
• Moderate fertility – Avoid rich soil which encourages floppiness
• Near neutral pH around 6.5 – Not highly acidic or alkaline
• Zones 5-10 – Most suit temperate to warm climates
• Open areas without heavy tree root competition
• Room to spread out horizontally – Give 1-4 feet spread distance

Top Orange Flowering Ground Cover Options

Here are 12 of the best ground covers that bear stunning orange blooms at some point in the growing season:

Orange Ice Plant – Brilliant spring and early summer color on succulent foliage Hardy in zones 5-10.

Orange Butterfly Weed – Native milkweed with late spring orange flowers and monarch-friendly pods. Zones 3-10.

Orange Hawkweed – Mat-forming perennial with small orange-red daisies from early to mid summer, Zones 4-8

Orange Carpet California Poppy – Western native poppy with bright blooms spring through summer. Self-seeding. Zones 5-10.

Orange Geum – Clump-forming perennial with fuzzy foliage and drooping orange blooms in late spring. Zones 5-8.

Orange Stonecrop Sedum – Tough succulent with clusters of tiny starry orange flowers in summer. Various hardy species.

Orange Carpet Zinnia – Low mounding annual with warm orange pom-pom blooms from summer until frost. Zones 5-10.

Orange Emperor Spotted Deadnettle – Fast-spreading perennial with orange and yellow snapdragon-like blooms in spring. Zones 5-8.

Orange Gazania – Clumping perennials or annuals with daisy-like orange blooms that close at night. Zones 7-10.

Orange Iceland Poppy – Feathery blue-green foliage with satiny orange cup-shaped blooms in late spring. Zones 3-7.

Orange Bulbine – Clump-forming succulent with orange star-shaped flowers on spikes above grassy foliage. Zones 8-11.

Orange Shrimp Plant – Tender perennial with trailing stems bearing tiny orange flowers from spring to fall. Zones 9-11.

Design Tips for Planting Orange Ground Covers

Follow these tips to effectively incorporate orange ground covers into your landscape:

• Mass plant for high impact – Groupings of 3-7 plants make bold orange statements.

• Use as edging plants – Outline beds, borders, walkways and other edges.

• Allow natural spreading – Give ground covers space to self-seed and expand into bare areas.

• Mix with cool colors – Pair with blues, whites and silvers for dramatic contrast.

• Highlight focal points – Direct attention to garden art, seating areas and special plantings.

• Complement warm colors – Blend with yellows, reds and other hot-colored flowers.

• Consider succession planting – Combine early and late orange bloomers for color all season.

Caring for Orange Ground Cover Plants

To keep your orange ground covers looking their best:

• Water newly planted areas until established. Provide at least 1″ of water per week.

• Weed periodically to prevent competition, especially when plants are young.

• Cut back any overgrown or leggy areas to encourage new growth.

• Divide dense clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.

• Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.

• Fertilize lightly if needed in early spring and midsummer.

• Watch for pest and disease issues and address promptly.

With their ability to spread easily, choke out weeds, and add stunning color, ground covers with orange blooms are smart choices for problematic spots in your landscape. They come in a diverse range of forms from mat-forming perennials to trailing succulents. Incorporate several orange flowering ground covers to bring weeks or months of glowing color to your garden.