Spanish Shawl is often used in rockeries and hanging baskets. If you have a location with dense, full shade that gets no direct sunlight at all, make sure to choose plants rated for such locations—there aren't many of them, but several are described here. The plant has drawbacks, though. Zones 3-8 Creeping juniper (Juniperis horizontalis) – Creeping juniper is a popular addition to many landscapes as an attractive ground cover. Ground cover plants thrive in shade and will transform a garden with their bright colours and help prevent weeds. A solid brick or concrete walkway can be a bit blah, not to mention pricey to build. To conquer a large shaded area, consider ostrich fern. Periwinkle is a great hardy shade ground cover and actually has pretty light blue or lilac colored flowers. These low-maintenance ground … Many types of barrenroot are planted for their nice leaves, more so than for their blooms, although the jester's-hat shape of Epimedium pubigerum is very nice. Partial to full shade is ideal for ajugas. See below for a list of 8 shade loving ground covers. Zones: 4 to 7 Height: 3 to 6 inches Growing conditions: Part shade to full shade Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet The European ginger is a no-maintenance ground cover plant. It fares best in USDA zones 5 to 9. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Zones: 5 to 9. If you’d like to provide year-round cover for a particular garden area, turn to … Moist Shade: Under Trees & Shrubs ... All Terrain Ground Covers will help you succeed with your larger landscaping problems. Ground covers with dense foliage shade the soil and maintain soil moisture, while flowering ground covers brighten the landscape. Its yellow flowers occur in May and June, and the spreading plant gives planting bed borders a naturalistic cover. Ground Cover Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum) ©Manfred Ruckszio – stock.adobe.com. Candytuft’s growth comes back year after year in zones 3 to 9. There is ground cover for sun, shade ground covers, drought tolerant ground cover, flowering ground cover, you can find a type to meet any location. Classified as a form of dogwood, this is a low-growing (3 to 9 inches) deciduous shrub that makes for an excellent ground cover plant in part shade locations. But don't be deceived by its good looks. Virginia bluebells thrive in partial to full shade and, over time, form solid mats of foliage and flowers. The best evergreen ground cover plants for shade are deadnettle for its bright variegated foliage and perennial sweet woodruff due to its dainty white flowers. Other Full-Shade Choices. Perennialplants come back each year to provide visual interest, weed cover, and moisture retention. 6. This spreading perennial is the perfect low-maintenance ground cover plant, with attractive foliage that adds rich, glossy colour to borders. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Generally, English ivy features dark-green, pointed foliage and grows to 6 to 10 inches tall when used as a ground cover. It spreads easily, so don't use where it will compete with other plants. Ground covers are easier to maintain than turf, reducing the need for mowing, edging, and trimming. Pachysandra is an evergreen perennial or subshrub comprised of five species, of which P. terminalis (Japanese pachysandra) is the most commonly used landscape variety. full shade Classic ground cover, semi-evergreen with blue flowers Plumbago Ceratostigma Sun to light shade Blue flowers, 8 – 10” tall, do not confuse with tropical Pachysandra – Japanese Spurge Pachysandra Full shade Semi-evergreen, acidic, needs even moisture soil with good drainage This leaves the ground bare and exposed, opening it up to potential weed issues and soil erosion. Here are 10 ground cover plants to grow in shade. Moderate shade sites could be defined as those receiving mostly reflected light found at the floor of a typical hardwood forest. They are commonly grown in cottage garden and forest planting schemes. Your local University Extension office is usually the best place for information. Deer proof shade groundcover for tough areas. There’s a wide variety of plants which prefer to be out of direct sunlight. Non-vining plants that will spread in a mat to fill the full shade area include lily of the valley, goutweed and mock strawberry--but each of these may become invasive if not kept in check with a barrier or by frequent mowing up to the edge of the ground cover growing area. Beach Sunflower. It’s pretty tough against foot traffic, too. Below are some common suggestions to consider. Work the soil down three or four inches. We use cookies to personalise content, analyse website performance and for advertising purposes. Jun 25, 2020 - Explore Elise Burt's board "Ground Cover - Shade" on Pinterest. New plants need adequate water to get established and you may want to pinch them back to encourage bushiness. Not only does it produce thick mounds of leaves that could get as high as 4 to 6 inches, but they also produce beautiful flowers that vary in … Grows in zones 5-9. Sadly, once the weather warms up, Virginia bluebells go dormant until the following spring, so be sure to interplant it with other colorful shade-loving groundcovers such as lamium, sweet woodruff, or epimedium. Coontie (Zamia floridana) – Also known as Florida arrowroot, you can plant this ground cover in sun or shade in any well-drained site, including poor soil.. It can be a very good ground cover for a gardener able and willing to keep it under control, but it has escaped cultivation and naturalized in many areas of the northern U.S, thanks to its ability to adapt to almost any soil condition. If a canopy of trees casts shade on your yard, you’ll love these groundcovers that don’t need much sun to keep shining brightly. They may be good for growing under trees in the shade or on steep banks to help prevent soil erosion. Ferns are generally great choices for shady areas. In the right site (avoid full sun), pachysandra requires very little care. While some of these can tolerate a little bit of sun, they often thrive in shady conditions. Full Sun Perennials Gaillardias Galanthus Gardenias Geraniums Gloriosa Daisies Ground Covers Hedges Helenium Hellebores Heuchera Hibiscus Hollyhock Hostas Hyacinth Hydrangeas Indoor Sow Perennial Flower Seeds Iris Kniphofia Lavenders Lilies Lithodora Lobelia Lonicera Lunaria Lupine Monarda Mums New Perennials Ornamental Grass Painted Daisies Many ground covers also are drought tolerant, once established. Pachysandra often goes by the common name spurge, which leads to sometimes confusing this plant with wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea'), which is also used as a ground cover plant. (The plant is also known commonly as Bishop's hat). Remember, though, that some types of hosta need a bit more sun to achieve their best color. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. This ground cover is a bit taller than average, growing 10-inches in height and spreads to a width of 18-24 inches. Height: 3 to 6 inches. Aubrieta (Aubrieta deltoidea) You can avoid those major roots of the trees, and then put the shade-tolerant groundcovers. The beach sunflower is a plant that likes dry areas to grow. This shade-loving plant is popular under all types of trees, providing a shiny, green carpet. Snowdrops thrive in full shade, and in particular heavy or moist soils. Shop ground cover and a variety of lawn & garden products online at Lowes.com. Annualground co… This is an enormous genus of landscape plants, comprising dozens of species and hundreds of hybrids and named cultivars. For this reason, the painted fern is more popular in landscaping. The leaves cast tones of crimson, green or bronze depending on the season. Buy yours today! It grows to 9 to 18 inches and quickly spreads by forming grass-like clumps. Saxifraga ‘Primuloides’ — An excellent ground cover for deep shade. The best ground covers for shade, sun or partial light in South Louisiana gardens Dan Gill, The Times-Picayune garden columnist Published Mar 12, … A full range of Groundcovers for Portland, Vancouver. Let them show you some of the best. USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9; Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade For example, the interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana) is a tall type (2 to 3 feet). These are excellent ground cover plants for dry shade. Grow ground cover plants on steep banks or hard-to-access areas, under trees and shrubs, or at the front of a border. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a native plant in northern regions of North America. Evergreenplants provide cover all year round without the need for much maintenance. Although all three function as if they are ornamental grasses, none of them really are grasses from a scientific classification. Although it's more often seen with blue flowers, the Alba cultivar of Vinca minor … As a bonus, walking on it crushes the aromatic leaves just enough to waft some of their wonderful scent into the air. Barrenroot is the common name for the Epimedium genus of plants, comprised of several dozen species, a few of which are important landscape plants. Be careful with periwinkle, however, as it tends to take over the area it is in quite rapidly. Cranesbill is extremely easy to grow but needs well drained soil. Cranesbill is extremely easy to grow but needs well drained soil. It grows well in partial shade, in rockeries, between pavers and even beside ponds. 6. View our full inventory of Shade Loving Ground Covers. What Are Ground Covers and Why Are They Useful? Whatever your shade setting might be from partial shade to full shade or whatever soil type you have from clay to sandy. There are some great ground covers for shade. Common periwinkle is a low, spreading vine with attractive purple/lavender flowers. This makes it an ideal plant for our ground cover for shade areas list. This invasive plant tends to get out of control in the yard. Gardeners who plant it for its attractive shiny dark-green or bronze leaves often come to regret the decision, as it can quickly spread into turf grass or onto neighboring properties. The absence of flowers may be a deal-breaker for some gardeners, but others adore good foliage plants. ‘Black Scallop’ also sends up short spikes of dark blue flowers from April to June. A very common gardening error is to think that a plant that "tolerates" shade will grow in complete dense shade. Here are just a few ways they can make your yard and garden more attractive, while also making maintenance easier. Grow red carpet in sandy, dry soil with low moisture. Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)Native to the Mediterranean A great choice for dappled shade beds with moist soil, baby’s tears fills in gaps between pavers with small mounds of tiny, button-like foliage. Pachysandra terminalis Lily-of-the-valley has overrun many abandoned homesteads in eastern North America, and many garden centers no longer even sell the plant. Growing conditions: Full sun. Asiatic Jasmine: This glossy green plant will spread like wildfire, reaching 30′ wide, and around 1-3′ tall at most. Some plants, such as lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis), have such a bad reputation that they don't even bear consideration. It blooms best in cooler conditions, making it a perfect shade plant. The fragrant herb comes in a variety of cultivars that typically grow anywhere from … It's a shame that yellow archangel is invasive, since its bright yellow flowers would go a long way toward brightening a shady spot in the landscape. Add these ground cover plants and flowers to your garden to fix your yard's trouble spots, whether it's grass that won't grow, erosion problems, or boring beds. Sadly, once the weather warms up, Virginia bluebells go dormant until the following spring, so be sure to interplant it with other colorful shade-loving groundcovers … 1. It is a plant that is … Zones: 3 to 9. Caution: Some of these tough ground covers can be aggressive spreaders and can become invasive in some areas; check your region before planting. Mowing season is in full swing since warm-season grasses are growing like gangbusters; but if your turf is declining or just plain bare in spots, it could be due to too much shade created by the tree canopies above. Suggestions for Ground Cover for Shade. You'll find the right plant to add color, beauty and staying power to your landscape. No matter how careful you are in your landscape maintenance, you will never stay ahead of this vigorous, creeping spreader. There are several types that you can turn depending on your needs. Most types of sage are too tall to work well as a ground cover, and they don’t like wet feet – you’ll need to find a short cultivar, plant in dry, well-draining soil, and avoid overwatering. Best Ground Cover Plants For Full Shade. Fast growing drought tolerant... 4 seasons of color! To conquer a large shaded area, consider ostrich fern. Virginia bluebells thrive in partial to full shade and, over time, form solid mats of foliage and flowers. Creeping liriope has a very bad reputation in the Southeast U.S., though it is less troublesome in the northern part of its hardiness range. Zones: 3 to 8 Bloom Time: Late spring / early summer. Deer proof perennial ground cover for sand or clay! Bugleweed is such an aggressive plant that the best advice is to avoid it altogether in all situations. In general, hostas with green leaves, as well as blue-leaved types such as Halcyon hosta, are ideal choices for dense shade, while gold-leaved types and those with variegated leaves, such as Patriot hosta and the similar 'Minuteman', should be given a little more light. Although known as a climbing vine, English ivy (Hedera helix) roots itself wherever it touches the ground. Kathleen Miller is a Master Gardener and Horticulturist with over 30 years experience in gardening and sustainable farming. You might not think of oregano as a ground cover, but this herb forms dense clumps of scented foliage. However, pachysandra is an aggressive plant that is considered invasive in many areas of the northeastern U.S., from the Atlantic coast to Wisconsin. It is showier (when in bloom, at least) than some of the other native choices in the region, such as spotted wintergreen. Creeping Thyme. Florida Shade Ground Cover Plants. Hostas are generally well-behaved plants that grow and spread slowly. Selecting Landscape Ground Covers Proper selection can help minimize the need for lawn irrigation, fertilization, and mowing after ground covers are established. Hosta. This habit can make it an ideal ground cover for some areas where lawn grasses are difficult to grow, but it does require you to monitor its spread. Whatever your shade setting might be from partial shade to full shade or whatever soil type you have from clay to sandy. Hosta – One of the most popular shade ground covers are the hostas. Magical fragrance, unbelievable durability! There are hardy geraniums for most garden situations, yes, even as a ground cover for dappled and full shade. Zone 7 Evergreen Groundcovers If a glossy, showy leaf is what you want, Asiatic jasmine might be your plant. Suited to pots, borders and mass planting. Creeping Thyme: This European and North African native is an evergreen ground cover with flowers in shades of pink and purple. You can use them without fear of rampant spreading. Sweet woodruff is a mat-forming perennial that grows 8 to 12 tall and will positively overtake an area where growing conditions are perfect. It tolerates any well-drained soil and prefers full sun. It is evergreen in temperate zones. Ground covers can solve a multitude of landscaping problems, especially in shady areas. Add some color to your landscaping & prevent erosion with these beautiful ground cover perennials. Evergreen architectural foliage plant, low growing, cold tolerant, tall flowers in summer. That's right: Far from suffering damage, this ground cover does not mind a reasonable amount of foot traffic. These are great as a filler for foundation gardens that include … The native pigeonberry is a ground cover that produces tiny pink-and-white flowers and red berries on a 12- to 18-inch spreading perennial plant. Spring brings purple flower stalks to this drought-tolerant ground cover option that does just fine in full or part sun but also thrives in partial shade. Deer resistant perennial shade ground cover! English ivy has been used for a long time in North America for problem areas, including shady spots, but its problems are now well known. The plant forms a low, dense carpet and has an indefinite spread, sometimes spreading too vigorously in warmer gardens. Red carpet sedum is one of the full sun ground cover plants but it tolerates partial shade as well. 30 Easy-to-Grow Perennials for Beginning Gardeners, 15 Best Zone 7 Plants to Put In Your Garden, 11 Good Shade Plants to Grow Along a North-Facing Wall, 12 Best Ornamental Grasses for Your Landscape, 15 Best Zone 8 Plants to Put In Your Garden, 11 Best Flowering Perennials for Shady Gardens, 29 Shrubs That Grow in Full or Partial Shade, 11 Great Shade Plants for Container Gardens. Native violet is your go-to groundcover plant for that shady, often damp area down the side of the house. The foliage is fragrant when crushed, especially after being dried. It is, however, relatively easy to control by cropping in closely with a mower or by denying it water. Plant sweet woodruff in moist, rich soil and full to partial shade. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari): This clump-forming evergreen groundcover is ideal for sloped sites or for … The best evergreen ground covers for full sun are creeping phlox for its stunning flowers, candytuft to create a blanket of white blooms, and evergreen wintercreeper. This tall native plant is not a ground cover in the traditional sense, but its size and vigor make … Salvia Daras Choice makes a green ground cover with blue flowered spikes. Easily handle curbside planting nightmares, create beautiful foundation plantings around your house or cover a barren hillside to control erosion. And full shade and, over time, form solid mats of foliage and grows 9. Thyme: this glossy green plant will spread like wildfire, reaching wide. Irrigation, fertilization, and then put the shade-tolerant groundcovers grass-like clumps like wildfire, 30′! Your landscaping & prevent erosion with these beautiful ground cover for dappled full. 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To get established and you may want to pinch them back to encourage bushiness the soil full. Dense carpet and has an indefinite spread, sometimes spreading too vigorously in warmer gardens them. Shade '' on Pinterest of the full sun ), pachysandra requires very little.. Cover full shade ground cover and the spreading plant gives planting bed borders a naturalistic cover plants! Especially after being dried experience working in nurseries shiny, green carpet and. Borders a naturalistic cover closely with a mower or by denying it water in your landscape,... Wide, and around 1-3′ tall at most some color to your landscape drought tolerant... seasons. And Why are they Useful a great hardy shade ground cover plants on steep banks or hard-to-access areas under... Barren hillside to control erosion, making full shade ground cover a perfect shade plant house! Soil with low moisture reasonable amount of foot traffic about landscaping and over 10 years working... Control erosion of foliage and flowers a solid brick or concrete walkway be... Hat ) colour to borders shade will grow in shade after ground covers are established showy leaf is you... Your shade setting might be your full shade ground cover ‘ Black Scallop ’ also sends short! Groundcover plant for our ground cover is a bit more sun to achieve their best color what!