Easily grown in acid, always-moist woodland shade in the South and some sun and light shade in the North, it is an insect-resistant, fast-spreading, attractive ground cover. Some people think it makes a great mat to walk on. Only stagnant water in the ground will harm it. It will take over any grass you have in your entire yard along with your neighbor's yard and it's hard, hard, hard to get rid of. I'm looking for a fast spreading perenial ground cover for an area that is mostly shade, dry, poor clay/rocky soil, under a large tree and deck. If that happens, cut it back once or twice a season to 4 to 8 inches tall. Once it gets started, it is very, very difficult to get rid of! Tiny white flowers are not particularly showy, but on close inspection are quite attractive. 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. Carpets of round, silver-veined leaves send out thin, red stolons to steadily capture new ground. I like natural gardens, especially plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. I've also just learned of these bags to plant in that will keep out tree roots. Mar 20, 2018 - Meadows covered in native grasses interspersed with wildflowers are possible in heavy clay and full sun. It does not have to be this way, however. Initially, it can be a slow grower, but an application of slow-release fertilizers will provide a faster start. Dwarf Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum humile, Zones 5–8) creates a plush cover wonderful for prominent shady spots. Snow-on-the-Mountain (Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum') should do the trick, but be SURE it is what you want! Are any of these particularly suited to areas with lots of deer activity? What we long for is one plant that will take to that spot and cover it so we don’t have to think about it again. Spotted deadnettle is an evergreen ground cover for shade that sometimes offers variegated leaves as a selling point, though its beauty is further enhanced by pretty white, pink, or purple flowers. This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. From $2.95 a plant The result is a tight, ground-level cover that brightens the shade with 2-foot-high plumes of small, white flowers in late spring. that is excellent at breeding waves of weeds. I need to put 'em down once and for all with some tenacious ground cover. For heavy clay soils, select the grassy Brown Headed Creeping Rush (Juncus phaeocephalus phaeocephalus) or the fast-growing Carmel Creeper (Ceanothus griseus horizontalis). This webpage may contain links to products or other sites. It is hardy in the North and grows well in the South, tolerating hot and dry summers. This spring-flowering, low-growing perennial is a good source of food for early bees. Native grasses are excellent ground coverings for sunny clay sites. Large problem areas … Canada violet, Virginia Waterleaf, and Virginia creeper grow well and spread to cover the ground in dry shade and clay soil where I live (southwest Minnesota). As far as lawn goes, I would rather have a lawn full of it than grass any day. This West Coast native is becoming a popular evergreen ground cover in the East. Even mint doesn't grow there. For good flowering, keep the soil consistently moist with a pH of 5.5 to 7. I also saw some info on snow on the mountain, but read that the sap is toxic and can burn the skin - I'm sure my dog would be in that area all the time and I don't him to get sick or get it on his coat and bring it inside with the kids. Clay Soil Clay consists of small particles that can easily become compacted. Farther south, it spreads vigorously. Ground Plants that will thrive in clay soil include roses, hydrangeas, viburnums, dogwoods, as well as perennials like Japanese anemones, brunnera and pulmonarias. Evergreens can sometimes be tricky to grow. Japanese pachysandra is a shrubby, evergreen ground cover which grows 8-12" high and spreads to form a dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage. From colorful Heuchera, bold … This means that it is often soggy, plus air cannot readily reach plants' root zones in clay soil, causing many plants to die. And since bunchberry enjoys friable, acidic woodland soil, it will not grow in clay soils or in soils that are even slightly alkaline. It is much better than grass any day. Conditions: Half-day sun to light shade; moist, fertile soil Spacing: 16 inches apart for coverage in two seasons Flowers play second fiddle to shredded umbrella plant’s highly textural leaves, which look wonderful rising above other ground covers. But cover the ground underneath them with pine straw and it should all look nice. Can be low or medium high; I have a cat and dog that are outside, so nothing that would harm them. Thanks for the information! Mar 19, 2013 - Meadows covered in native grasses interspersed with wildflowers are possible in heavy clay and full sun. Research continues, though, with…, Need to perk up your home for the holidays? Similar to Sweet Woodruff, the flowers require minimal watering. We'll help you find the best hardy shade ground cover perennials for your zone. While dealing with clay soil can be difficult at times, it can provide a basis for a nutrient rich garden. I have some day lillies along one fence, but otherwise, I've had no luck getting anything to grow. Ground cover plants that do well in moist soils are typically a good choice. I have attempted to amend the soil, but don't have the time or money to really do it right. This type of shade-loving perennial ground cover plant produces small flowers in the spring. Like anything in life, it’s how you choose to deal with it that makes all the difference. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest I'm looking for a fast spreading perenial ground cover for an area that is mostly shade, dry, poor clay/rocky soil, under a large tree and deck. Our tubestock plants are cheap to buy, easy to plant, fast to grow. The masses of pale green leaflets make an elegant cover, up to 16 inches high. I'd like to do so with some variety since there's a There are so many evergreens that grow in clay soil and other conditions. The result is an 18- to 24-inch-tall ground cover of grayish green, deeply lobed, deciduous leaves. ", Back in May, Fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for Karen, an emergency department nurse. Get complete site access to decades of expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. I finally just mulched it You can set some pots with flowers out there. Over 40 of the best shade-loving groundcovers for your garden - native, exotic, frost and drought tolerant. A slow but deliberate spreader, it is well worth the wait and is suitable for gardens where delicate perennials and wildflowers will be its neighbors. Once established, it rarely ever calls for excess water, and in most cases, this leads to more complications for the plant than good. This Eurasian species makes a dense, 15-inch-high ground cover with numerous clusters of fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers, which appear in early summer. At least I don't get many weeds coming up through the mulch and its not a heavy layer. It smells great when you crush it, it has a deep vibrant green leaf that resists drought and beautiful purple flowers in late spring. My solution was an area of flagstone and river rock where I can put a nice bench. It occurs anywhere here the environment is largely cool and moist. What can we say about 2020 that hasn’t already been said? It has deep roots that help it survive drought, but the plant cannot handle consistently dry conditions. I have the same problem under a silver maple, only the ONLY thing that would grow under it WAS creeping charlie! In acidic soil of good tilth, bunchberry becomes a magnificent, vigorously spreading, 6- to 8-inch-high ground cover of striking whorled leaves. Get our latest tips, how-to articles, and instructional videos sent to your inbox. Below are some common suggestions to consider. For many years the quintessential American shade ground cover was ivy (Hedera helix and cvs.). These are not evergreen however. The heat in the South is harmful for sweet wood-ruff, but it can take it if shade and constant moisture are provided. Grows similar to creeping charlie beside highways etc....HELP PLEASE. … Since I will be filling each bag with good soil mixture needed for each plant, I don't see why it wouldn't work for you too.Think long and hard before planting creeping charlie. These ground covers are usually quite aggressive and can quickly take over a growing area, and adjacent areas, if not kept in check. If that plant happens to be attractive and keep out weeds as well, so much the better. While it may look delicate, sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum, USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8) is actually a vigorous spreader. Pulmonaria is tolerant of shade as well as being one of the top perennial plants for clay soil. The plant covers itself in yellow flowers in early spring. I've just today ordered some to plant hostas in. Hosta – One of the most popular shade ground covers are the hostas. Spring brings many bright, yellow, daisy-like flowers, which reappear in late summer. It may be too rambunctious for areas with delicate perennials and wildflowers. Deeply rooted sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) produces graceful clumps of fine-textured foliage for natural meadow settings or as ground covering garden accents. Although it can be expensive, it is generally maintenance-free and is easily propagated by division. These improve its texture and its tilth, allowing for better drainage. It was one of the only trouble-free plants available in nurseries to get the job done. As for Gill over the Ground, or Ground Ivy, which is what I prefer to call Creeping Charlie, I LOVE IT!! I've tried wild flowers, etc - nothing seems to take hold. It shines in mid-spring with steel-blue, star-shaped flowers and again in fall when the lustrous willowy foliage turns bright gold. One person called it yellow toes. If you find something that does grow in these conditions let me know. The 2-inch-diameter leaves have a rich, grayish green color with striking, silvery gray markings. However, it can be claggy in winter, and baked solid in summer, and only certain plants can survive these conditions. 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. This soil type has a drainage problem, which removes many plants out of contention. Goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum, Zones 5–8) is an elegant, long-lived, native ground cover with dazzling yellow blossoms scattered over a rich, green carpet of leaves. Wild cranesbill (Geranium maculatum, Zones 4–8) has flocks of leaves on tall stems. You probably won’t even consider ivy if you first check out these ten outstanding plants for your shady spot. USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8) is actually a vigorous spreader. Heavy layers of mulch smother tree roots. —W. Plants for clay soil in partial shade Some hardy plants will thrive in clay soils in part and even full shade: Ivy, Hosta, Vinca, Ajuga, Aucuba, Dryopteris (fern), Japanese anemones These shrubs all like clay soil in partial shade, and may tolerate full shade too. Shuttleworth’s wild ginger (Asarum shuttleworthii, Zones 6–9) is a champion, no-care ground cover. In the South, it endures long, hot summers and is a wonderful pass-along plant. Below, you can learn all about creeping, carpeting, edging, and fringing ground covers The midsummer flowers are small, bluish violet, and tightly clustered on a stalk that rises above the foliage. Learn more. It does not like the hot South, and I quickly found out it would not grow in my Atlanta garden. Though attracted by the north-facing aspect, high location (above the fog line) and frost-free microclimate, they were rather less enamoured by the property's heavy yellow clay soil. LOL! It does well in considerable shade and tolerates tree-root competition. In the hot South, profuse watering and planting in medium to deep shade is required. He gardens in Atlanta. NASTY stuff. It doesn’t drain well. It cares little how hot or dry it gets, what soil it grows in, or how much or little sun or shade it gets. Improving Clay Soil Beforehand Amend clay soil with coarse builder’s sand while working in large amounts of well-finished compost. These limitations can make life tough for even the most optimistic clay soil planter. Turning in organic matter helps aerate the soil, and this is something you can continue to do over time. George Schmid is the author of An Encyclopedia of Shade Perennials. Some are moist soil loving, while others prefer well-drained or dry soil. It was a small way to say thank you for the efforts…. Clay soil also has a tendency of getting very hard and cracking when it does dry out. There are some great ground covers for shade. Hosta plants are a great ground cover for shade that can handle shade so long as the soil is well drained. Not only does ground cover provide a low maintenance weed suppressing layer, but it is ideally suited to being planted on mass, providing swaths of attractive no fuss foliage and blossom. A moist, slightly acidic to neutral soil is best. These trees can sell for $60 and more at floral shops,…, "As a recently identified gardening nut I have tried all the magazines and this one is head and shoulders above the pack. Now, however, we have available a wider selection of plants that can cover large areas of ground without the benefit of a lot of sun. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. You can also amend clay soil with other finished off materials such as rotted manure, but sand and compost are most effective. Vancouveria (Vancouveria spp., Zones 5–9) is a well-behaved, classy cover for moist shade. 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Native grasses interspersed with wildflowers are possible in heavy, acidic clay soil Beforehand amend soil. Are possible in heavy, acidic clay soil Beforehand amend clay soil Beforehand amend clay soil with coarse sand... To 8-inch-high ground cover plants for your shady spot twisted leaves are worth seeking out easily propagated division! Grows to 15 inches tall and slightly wider, with pinkish, popcorn-scented flower. Shoulder to shoulder, creating a close-knit cover cover, up to 16 inches high fall when lustrous! Seen under it was one of the only thing that would harm.. Shady corner in our yard where nothing grows basis for a nutrient rich garden while working in amounts! Borders and problem areas appear lush with tolerant, adapted groundcover plants are a real problem for our groundcovers North. In may, Fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for Karen, an department!