Ground covers are the foundation of your garden.

They provide plants for pollinators to live in and under. They shade your soil, keeping in moisture for other plants. The shade also blocks sun from weed seeds, so you have less weeds overall.

They can be ground hugging, or up to a foot tall...just as long as they cover the soil and work under other plants, shrubs and trees they are a ground cover. 

If you want a manicured look with less maintenance work, don't skimp on groundcover plants.