Gardening can be an enjoyable and hugely rewarding hobby, but there are some jobs that even the most enthusiastic gardener may find less than enjoyable. Topping the list of disagreeable garden chores is undoubtedly weeding.

However, there exists a method to significantly reduce the frequency of this task, potentially making it an annual affair.

As we become more aware of the need to refrain from saturating our gardens with chemicals to ward off weeds, primarily due to the risk these weedkillers pose to pollinating insects, planting effective ground cover plants can make your flower beds highly unwelcoming for unwanted guests.

There's a broad range of ground cover plants, some that flourish in bright sunshine and others that thrive in shade.

The common trait they all share is their ability to form a dense carpet that inhibits perennial weeds from taking root in your garden.

While many ground cover plants, such as ivy, periwinkle and hostas, can appear somewhat mundane, Garden News expert Graham Rice has highlighted a few potential candidates that will not only suppress invasive weeds but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden.

Hellebores

Hellebores are perennials, often boasting bold evergreen leaves, some marbled or silvery for added allure. They bloom in winter and early spring, a period when little else is happening in the garden.

They produce attractive blooms in shades of green, white, pink or ruby.

Hellebores flourish on woodland edges, relishing dappled shade. While some varieties can also grow in sun, others favour deeper shade.

They're a relatively low maintenance plant, with flowers that offer valuable nectar for early pollinators.

Geraniums

Hardy geraniums provide a delightful burst of colour throughout the summer, with some varieties – such as Brookside – showcasing large bowl-shaped blue flowers as early as May. They're suitable for sun or dappled shade in almost any soil as long as it's not completely waterlogged.

Another variety, Little David, has compact green foliage and from June to September produces magenta pink flowers that are adored by bees and other pollinators.

Heucheras

There are dozens of Heuchera varieties, all with colourful leaves – ranging from green to deep purple. They thrive best in partial or dappled shade, strong summer sun can scorch and damage the foliage, especially on paler-leaved varieties.

Garden Pinks

From late spring to Autumn these hardy plants provide wonderfully fragrant blooms with a memorable clove-like scent – and most will repeat flower if deadheaded.

They come in several colours, not just pink, and take their name not so much from the colour but for the flowers' ragged edge that looks as if it has been trimmed with a dressmaker's pinking shears.

Sedums

Sedums, a type of ground cover plant, are surprisingly resilient, withstanding both drought and frost. They flourish even in shallow, poor soil without the need for extra water or much feeding.

These plants create a lush carpet of succulent evergreen foliage and an abundance of colourful star-like flowers throughout the summer.

However, it's crucial to remember that while these ground cover plants can suppress weeds, they could also potentially hinder the growth of other desired plants.

Ground covering ivy, for instance, will certainly make life difficult for weeds, but it may also crowd out primroses, anemones and spring bulbs. "The trick is to choose strong-growing bulb varieties, plant in clumps and plant bulbs and ground cover at the same time," advises Graham.

"By the time the ground cover has formed a dense carpet, the bulbs will be well established and able to penetrate the low ground cover foliage."

Before you begin planting your ground cover, there's one last task – the ground needs to be thoroughly cleared of weeds, one last time.