Every garden has those awkward , empty spotsthat feel unfinished or bare — but with the rightfiller plants , you may well adddepth , grain , andvisual flow . These unappreciated heroes of the plant world help link up everything together , making your garden feellush and stark .

In this clause , we showcase17 versatile makeweight plantsthat pass off life into thin areas , whether you ’re working with garden bed , borders , or container . From softfoliage fillerstolong - blooming companions , these plant add subtle beauty and structure without stealing the glare .

Fill in the gaps and give your garden the rich , layered look it deserve — the easy way !

17 Filler Plants That Bring Life and Layers to Sparse Garden Spaces

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum offers a subtle yet spectacular presence with its lilliputian , fragrant flowers . It ’s the ideal choice for edging pathways or filling gaps between larger plants .

This lively plant thrives in various soil term , basking in full sun or partial nuance . Its cascading nature arrive at it perfect for hanging baskets or border .

Not only does it bring a touch of elegance , but its scent is remindful of warm love . live for pull in good insects , Sweet Alyssum is a gardener ’s ally in preserve bionomic counterweight .

Sweet Alyssum

© Johnny’s Selected Seeds

Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny is a springy ground cover that spills over edges with its bright yellow - dark-green leaves . It ’s the everlasting way to clear up any shaded area of your garden .

This plant is incredibly various , thriving in moist condition and spreading quickly to fill up spaces . Its coin - influence leaves allow for a alone grain that contrasts beautifully with more rigid plants .

A ducky for rock gardens and container , Creeping Jenny brings vibrancy and trend . Plus , it offer a hint of gold , raise the visual ingathering of any garden landscape .

Sweet Alyssum

Hosta

Hosta are the darlings of wraith gardens , boasting a variety of leaf colors and texture . From deep blue - green to variegated bloodless , they offer sempiternal possibilities .

These plants are loved for their riotous foliage and power to expand in varying light conditions . Their wide , heart - form leaves create a calming , serene atmosphere .

Beyond their aesthetic solicitation , Hostas are low - maintenance , requiring minimum care . This makes them a honest pick for both tyro and experient gardeners aiming to fill those tricky shadowy spots .

Creeping Jenny

© The Spruce

Lamb’s Ear

Lamb ’s Ear trance with its silvery , velvety leave that children and adults alike dear to touch . Its tactual nature adds another dimension to garden spaces .

Ideal for borders and pathways , it create a soft , invite texture that contrasts beautifully with other plant . This hardy repeated withstands drought , make it a sustainable choice .

Its subtle peak may be understate , but the foliation is a star . Lamb ’s Ear not only bring visual interest group but also serves as a conversation starter with its unequaled feeling .

Creeping Jenny

Ferns

Ferns are nature ’s manner of adding lush , feathery layers to any garden . Their intricate fronds create a sense of depth and movement .

Perfect for shaded areas , ferns come in an raiment of size and textures , each offering a decided look and finger . They are excellent for creating a serene , timber - similar ambiance .

Low - maintenance and adaptable , ferns thrive in moist precondition , produce them an loose increase to any garden . Their timeless lulu ensures they stay a favored choice for gardener seeking to fill spaces elegantly .

Hosta

© White Flower Farm

Sedum

Sedum offers a spatter of people of colour with its succulent - similar leaves and star - shape flowers . Known for its resilience , it thrives in inadequate soil precondition and full sun .

This works is sodding for careen gardens , borders , or containers , where its vibrant hues can truly shine . The diversity in leaf shapes and color make Sedum a various alternative .

Easy to manage for and drought - tolerant , Sedum is ideal for those look to tot smasher with minimal effort . Its cheerful bearing can translate any quad into a resilient oasis .

Hosta

Coral Bells

Coral Bells are celebrated for their stunning foliage , offering colors tramp from inscrutable burgundy to birdlime greenish . They bring a splash of reverberance to shaded or partly cheery sphere .

Their ticklish , bell - shaped flowers add a charming touch , attracting pollinators like hummingbirds . Coral Bells adapt well to unlike soil types , enhancing their appeal .

This perennial is a fantastic choice for borders or as an accent plant . Its power to endure varying conditions makes it a reliable and cosmetic makeweight in any garden stage setting .

Lamb’s Ear

© Sylvan Gardens Landscape Contractors

Bacopa

Bacopa dazzles with its trailing habit and modest , colored flower . idealistic for hanging baskets or cascading over planters , it bring home the bacon a touch of whimsy .

The tiny flowers bloom abundantly , offering continuous coloring throughout the time of year . Bacopa thrives in full sun to partial shade , making it versatile for many garden setup .

Its gentle mantrap and ease of care make Bacopa a favourite among gardeners . Whether used in container or as land cover , it adds a floral cascade that enhance any space .

Lamb’s Ear

Caladium

Caladium boasts heart - shape leaves in vivacious hues , offer a bluff assertion in any garden . Its colorful foliage piss it a standout choice for shady patch .

The works thrives in indirect sun , adding a fusillade of color where it ’s often need most . Caladium is consummate for container , margin , or mass plantings .

Easy to care for , it ask well - drained soil and regular watering to fly high . Caladium ’s dramatic leaf plough any garden area into a captivating display of color and texture .

Ferns

© Wild Seed Project

Viola

Violas are the cheerful face of the garden , offering vivacious colour and delicate blooms . Perfect for filling small distance , they bring joy with their continuous flowering .

These brave plants thrive in cool conditions , making them ideal for early spring or fall garden . Their ability to ego - germ insure a lasting mien .

Whether planted in border , containers , or as ground cover , Violas provide a magic touching . Their versatility and relaxation of concern make them a darling choice for gardeners attempt continuous color .

Ferns

Dianthus

Dianthus , with its risque scent and frilled petal , append old - fashioned spell to any garden . Its vivacious bloom of youth grade from pinkish to red , catching the eye .

This repeated thrives in well - drained soil and full sun , making it consummate for borders or rock gardens . Its compact size allows for versatile role .

Dianthus not only provide visual interest but also attracts pollinator . Its unfermented bouquet and coloured display assure it stay on a garden favorite , bringing a touch of nostalgia and beauty .

Sedum

© Perennial Wholesale Nursery

Ajuga

Ajuga , or Bugleweed , is known for its rich , jewel - tone foliage and striking racy blossom spikes . Its mat - forming habit work it an excellent ground blanket .

fly high in shade to fond sun , Ajuga is perfect for adding texture and color to underplantings . Its ability to develop in challenging area makes it a practical option .

The plant ’s low - growing nature and resilience ensure it fills spaces effectively . Ajuga ’s colourful foliage and blooms provide a year - round visual fete , enhancing any garden mount .

Sedum

Liriope

Liriope , often called Lilyturf , is a versatile plant with grass - alike leave and striking flower spike . An first-class margin plant , it defines pathways beautifully .

The plant thrives in various conditions , from full Sunday to shade , and tolerates drought once ground . genus Liriope ’s adaptability makes it a garden basic .

Its purple peak add a daddy of color , while its evergreen foliage ensures class - round sake . genus Liriope is perfect for those look to add anatomical structure and pernicious beauty to their garden figure .

Coral Bells

© Native Wildflowers Nursery

Japanese Forest Grass

Japanese Forest Grass offers a graceful , arch form that brings cause to shaded area . Its golden - fleeceable leaves create a spectacular contrast with darker foliage .

Ideal for woodland gardens , this cosmetic grass prosper in moist , well - drain soil . Its cascading habit yield edges and append a touch of elegance .

The plant life ’s ability to withstand deviate weather makes it a reliable choice . Japanese Forest Grass is cherished for its beauty and grain , transforming any shady spot into a calm retirement .

Coral Bells

Heuchera

Heuchera , also sleep together as Coral Bells , is have it off for its vibrant foliage . With a spectrum of colors , it adds depth and interest to any garden .

This dauntless perennial thrives in fond shade , gain it ideal for borders or container planting . Its bell - shape salad days appeal pollinator , enhancing garden biodiversity .

Heuchera ’s adaptability to different soil types ensures it persist a garden favorite . Its stunning leaf colors provide a year - orotund optical impact , constitute it a versatile and attractive choice for gardener .

Bacopa

© Pacific Nurseries

Catmint

Catmint delights with its aromatic foliage and lavender - bluish blossom . It ’s perfect for pull in pollinators and adding a calming chromaticity to sunny border .

The flora is drouth - tolerant and thrives in well - drained grunge , making it low - maintenance . Its sprawl substance abuse is ideal for satiate larger areas with color and perfume .

Catmint ’s resiliency and wizard blooms make it a dear addition to any garden . It provides a tranquil , cottage - garden smell , ensure it rest a favourite among garden enthusiasts .

Bacopa

Daylilies

Daylilies lend joy with their vivacious , horn - shaped heyday . Known for their lustiness , they thrive in sunny spots and adapt to various soil types .

The plant ’s power to bloom continuously throughout the summertime provide hold up colouration . Daylilies are perfect for mass planting or as accents in garden bed .

Their resilience and low-down - alimony nature make them a democratic choice for filling space . Daylilies ’ vivid bloom make a pollyannaish , inviting atmosphere , raise the ravisher of any garden context .

Caladium

© Classic Caladiums

Caladium

Viola

© Gardeners’ World

Viola

Dianthus

© Better Homes & Gardens

Dianthus

Ajuga

© Better Homes & Gardens

Ajuga

Liriope

© Amazon.com

Liriope

Japanese Forest Grass

© The Spruce

Japanese Forest Grass

Heuchera

© Spring Hill Nursery

Heuchera

Catmint

© Proven Winners

Catmint

Daylilies

© Easy To Grow Bulbs

Daylilies