Top 6 Shade Garden Ground Cover Plants to Grow : You either adore or detest shade. Those who garden frequently belong to the latter group because low light levels inhibit the growth of lush lawns, which leaves gloomy regions appearing barren or even weedy. That being said, you shouldn’t declare shaded areas of your yard to be no-grow zones. Ground cover plants that provide shade are a great alternative to traditional grass.
Top 6 Shade Garden Ground Cover Plants to Grow
Over time, these evergreen ground coverings will organically expand to form a verdant carpet beneath trees, in the spaces between buildings, and in other locations that receive little to no sunshine.
1. Bugleweed
This beauty has lush green, copper, or variegated foliage. Late spring to early summer brings blue flower spires. For locations with stones or other barriers, bugleweed may infiltrate lawns.
2. Bearberry
Hardy, low-growing evergreens thrive in rocky and sandy soils, making them ideal for drought-tolerant gardening. Spring blooms are white or pink, while fall berries are scarlet.
3. Ginger
Both deciduous and evergreen variants exist. It thrives in dense shade at the base of an evergreen and very low light.
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4. Japanese Painted Fern
This low-maintenance perennial won Perennial Plant of the Year in 2004. It grows in moist, humid places and makes a superb shade garden ground cover with its texture and colour.
5. Ladies’ mantle
Soft-green leaves mat beautifully and spread slowly. Chartreuse flowers bloom late summer/fall.
Variegated leaves brighten spring to fall in dry shade. White or mauve blooms bloom in May or June.
6. Pachysandra
This popular shade lover has beautiful evergreen foliage and spring white blooms. Zones 4-8.
Complete Shade or Partial Shade?
Find out how much light ground cover plants need.
Before buying garden tools, determine your shade type. Survey the region at different times of day to assess lighting levels.and remember that shade might change every season according to sun location and tree canopy density.
What did you see? If open structures or small-leafed trees like birch or honey locust partially obstruct sunlight, the shade is likely dappled or filtered. Plants will enjoy bright light and shade throughout the day, which is ideal for many flowers and ground coverings.
Maybe the area gets 4–6 hours of light each day and the remainder is shade. This partial shadow is common on the east or west sides of a house or near a tree stand. These circumstances support many plants.
The ground underneath Norway maples, oaks, spruces, pines, and other dense-canopy trees is in full shade, thus only low-light-tolerant plants can flourish there.
Shade Garden Planting Prep
Once you know your light conditions, you can prepare the location before planting.
“Even at this point, I caution gardeners to go slow, especially if they’re trying to fill in bare spots under trees where grass won’t thrive,” says Birds & Blooms garden expert Melinda Myers.
Most trees’ feeder roots are in the first 12 inches of soil directly under the tree, and digging too deeply when removing grass or putting ground covers might damage them. The idea is to cover a desolate region with attractive plants without harming the trees.
Get rid of grass
Melinda recommends two strategies to remove grass under trees. Use a chemical or many layers of newspaper, grass clippings, wood chips, or other organic mulch to kill the vegetation in the shady area.
The second approach works immediately, but read and follow label instructions to avoid hurting adjacent plants and trees. It will also tell you to wait 4–14 days before planting again. Though patient, the first grass removal approach is best because it is chemical-free. Although it takes a year, it enriches the soil and won’t hinder subsequent plantings.
Shade Ground Cover Care
Planting is easy. Instead of tilling the planting area, dig slightly wider and shallower holes to avoid harming tree roots. Apply a thick layer of mulch and water after gently tamping the plants, then watch them.
“Although much of the work is now done, the first few years are critical,” Melinda explains. “If you start with extra effort, your ground cover will thrive. Many people are unaware that places under trees, especially those with high canopies, are dry and need regular watering. Thicker leaves shed rain easily. Even a long rain may not reach the soil enough.”
Like any newly planted garden, weeding must be done regularly. Removing unwanted plants minimises water and nutrient competition and lets ground coverings grow.
Once desolate areas under the maple or close to the house will soon turn lush and green. You know you’re ahead when that happens!
