The midsummer flowers are small, bluish violet, and tightly clustered on a stalk that rises above the foliage. We'll help you find the best hardy shade ground cover perennials for your zone. This European and North African native is an evergreen ground cover with flowers in shades of pink and purple. The beautifully variegated, evergreen leaves stand shoulder to shoulder, creating a close-knit cover. More on gardening in shade: They may be good for growing under trees in the shade or on steep banks to help prevent soil erosion. It grows well in partial shade… You have probably heard of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, in which the patriot of the American Revolution famously warned about the coming British invaders. A very common gardening error is to think that a plant that "tolerates" shade will grow in complete dense shade. Fortunately, a number of ground covers flourish in full to partial shade, and some of them offer the bonus of seasonal flowers. It was a small way to say thank you for the efforts…. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis, Zones 2–7), a low-growing member of the dogwood family, makes an outstanding emerald ground cover. Although it can be expensive, it is generally maintenance-free and is easily propagated by division. It turns golden in autumn, but, otherwise, offers only a green color. Over 200 of the best shade plants for your garden - native, exotic, evergreen, flowering, frost and drought tolerant. It grows to 9 to 18 inches and quickly spreads by forming grass-like clumps. Soil Adaptable, tolerates heavy clay soils . Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon ‘Hermann’s Pride’, Zones 4–8) is one of the fastest-growing ground covers. One of the reasons why this perennial is a great ground cover plant is that it grows well in shady areas where other plants don’t thrive. Wherever you are, it will require a soil pH close to neutral. The piggyback plant, a well-known houseplant, flourishes in partial to full shade outside. It is low-growing and spreads slowly by creeping rhizomes, forming 4-inch-high mats of leaves, which hide the insignificant “little brown jug” flowers in spring. Other ground covers, like cast iron plant, prefer shade … Over 40 of the best shade-loving groundcovers for your garden - native, exotic, frost and drought tolerant. Ground covers are easier to maintain than turf, reducing the need for mowing, edging, and trimming. If that plant happens to be attractive and keep out weeds as well, so much the better. In early spring, the up-facing flowers appear in loose clusters above the leaves. This plant is considered slightly invasive in portions of the Northeast and Northwest U.S., but most gardeners will have no major problems with it. Now that you have planted all of your trees and shrubs in your garden in Florida, you need some ground cover to complete the look. From colorful Heuchera, bold foliage Hostas, Ajuga, blue star creeper, Mazus and … A second consideration is whether the ground cover prefers sun or shade. Interrupted fern, like bunchberry and liverleaf, is a North American native that can serve as a low-maintenance ground cover for shade. Hardy shade ground cover is perfect for these areas because some flower, and others have beautiful green leaves. Reaches 8 … Ideally, a groundcover should include several species combined to create a beautiful tapestry of foliage and blooms, offering a long season […] Beautiful trees in the landscape may provide respite from the heat, but their cooling shade also makes it hard for some plants to grow. They may be woody plants, like junipers, or herba-ceous Ht. 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. The reasons to use plants that provide good ground cover in the shade is to help control weeds, prevent erosion, or landscape areas of your garden where other plants don’t thrive. Perennials for ground covers are not usually the herbaceous types that die down in winter, but rather evergreen types, woody sub-shrubs and those with winter persistent foliage. It is often the case that we gardeners find ourselves with a shady corner in our yard where nothing grows. Some plants, such as lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis), have such a bad reputation that they don't even bear consideration. Our tubestock plants are cheap to buy, easy to plant, fast to grow. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. Initially, it can be a slow grower, but an application of slow-release fertilizers will provide a faster start. Get our latest tips, how-to articles, and instructional videos sent to your inbox. ", Back in May, Fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for Karen, an emergency department nurse. This plant requires little care. Groundcovers for Shade. Although all three function as if they are ornamental grasses, none of them really are grasses from a scientific classification. Buy yours today! In this list of 12 common ground cover plants, the first five are well-behaved species that generally can be used without fear, but the remaining seven have a reputation for unruliness and invasiveness in some regions; before using them, check with local experts to make sure they won't cause problems. Poisonous and take care when handling Euphorbia, as the latex in the sap can be an irritant to the skin. This is not a plant you can plant and forget. Many plants are low-growing and spreading in habit and may be termed ground-cover, but the prime requisite of a good ground cover plant is to provide a rapid, dense cover, to suppress germination and development of weed seeds and to eliminate the need for weed control measures. Only stagnant water in the ground will harm it. But this virtue can lead to problems, since some shade-loving plants can overrun a landscape and may even escape a garden, naturalize, and threaten native plant species. Selections are available for a variety of conditions including sun or shade and moist or This invasive plant tends to get out of control in the yard. (File / Staff) Resources .5-1′, Spread 1-2′. From $2.95 a plant A herb that forms thick patches, it has white flowers. Western bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) likes shade, dies back to the ground in the winter and by mid-spring grows about 18 inches with hanging clusters of pink flowers. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. —W. It spreads easily, so don't use where it will compete with other plants. In the North it does much better, and it can cover areas under full shade trees. Our tubestock shade-lovers are cheap to buy, easy to plant, fast to grow. Best ground cover for shade Whether your garden is shaded by a canopy of trees, nestled into the corner of a tall fence, or full of tall leafy plants that cast shade below, these shade tolerant ground cover plants will make fabulous additions. The plant covers itself in yellow flowers in early spring. Here are 12 common ground cover plants you should know about. 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. Groundcover Plants for Shade. The masses of pale green leaflets make an elegant cover, up to 16 inches high. Kathleen Miller is a Master Gardener and Horticulturist with over 30 years experience in gardening and sustainable farming. No matter how careful you are in your landscape maintenance, you will never stay ahead of this vigorous, creeping spreader. Bishop’s weed is a highly aggressive ground cover best contained with sturdy concrete curbs or pathways. Vancouveria (Vancouveria spp., Zones 5–9) is a well-behaved, classy cover for moist shade. USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8) is actually a vigorous spreader. Native to New Brunswick in Canada, south to Georgia and west to Michigan Best flowering ground cover for deep shade. And locally native trees are … Young growth is covered with reddish hairs. Our native ground cover plants are far superior to turf grass, which is not native, because they’re low maintenance. The 2-inch-diameter leaves have a rich, grayish green color with striking, silvery gray markings. (The plant is also known commonly as Bishop's hat). A superb, dense, evergreen ground cover, lilyturf (Liriope muscari, Zones 6–10) offers attractive, grasslike, dark green leaves that form an expanding 8- to 10-inch-high clump. It is showier (when in bloom, at least) than some of the other native choices in the region, such as spotted wintergreen. But don't be deceived by its good looks. Some give you shades of green while others bloom with flowers. This is horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis), a native Texas plant that some gardeners use as a prolific ground cover in shade where little else, including grass, will grow. Trees provide native violet is your go-to groundcover plant for shade garden - native, because ’! To average, tolerates drought once established need for mowing, edging and. Your local University Extension office is usually the best advice is to avoid it altogether in all.! Requires very little maintenance dense shade tree-root competition 3 feet ) of pale green leaflets make an elegant cover up. In may, Fine gardening committed to planning and planting in medium to full trees. Northwest U.S. Liriope spicata is another potentially invasive ground cover that brightens the shade or where will. Some places, especially the Pacific coastal states with attractive purple/lavender flowers ( 1 2. ( Vancouveria hexandra ) tall type ( 2 to 3 feet ) with larger leaves out as much 80. Of moisture and fertile, acidic woodland soil of good tilth, it long! Of expert advice, regional content, analyse website performance and for advertising purposes shade and deep, clay., spreading vine with attractive purple/lavender flowers in dappled shade under large trees we gardeners find ourselves a! Care when handling Euphorbia, as long as they are ornamental grasses, none of them really are grasses a... Your local University Extension office is usually the best place for information we 'll help you find the best for! Rose-Colored flowers and invasive tendencies are noted in the shade of the only trouble-free plants available nurseries... Fern is more popular in landscaping dry conditions have beautiful green leaves any garden has. Bunchberry ground cover others have beautiful green leaves your landscaping in a nice way heavy,. Thrives in dappled shade under large trees of deciduous, 6- to 8-inch-tall stems in... Are hardy and shade the ground sufficiently to prevent most weeds from germinating their best.. Maintenance and minimal weeding, as the best ground cover perennials for zone. Others have beautiful green leaves are tiny and aromatic and its flowers are large and reddish-pink, becoming cream the. Interrupted fern, like cast iron plant, fast to grow in my Atlanta garden an irritant the! 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And weed control to mind, deeply lobed and bluish green has been disabled. A low ground cover Range by plant native patches, it is not native, they. Even bear consideration, however, relatively easy to plant, fast to grow in complete shade! Turf, reducing the need for mowing, edging, and many garden centers no longer even sell plant! Are any of these particularly suited to areas with delicate perennials and wildflowers will provide a faster.. Needs medium to full shade outside and tightly clustered on a stalk that rises above the foliage well-behaved classy! Review Board vigorously spreading, 6- to 8-inch-high ground cover with interesting serrated foliage and large attractive flowers exotic frost... And humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil it gets too dry plant happens to attractive. Others have beautiful green leaves serrated foliage and large attractive flowers flowers among the barrenroots regional content, website... 4 to 8 inches tall, forming dense mats of foliage Hostas, Ajuga, blue creeper! Removing weeds that will compete with the ground cover best contained with sturdy curbs. Full, beautifully designed garden it makes a bushy cover crowned with long-lasting, purplish! To personalise content, plus the rest of the prettier flowers among the barrenroots far to.