Shade Ground Cover

All too often excellent shade ground covers are not used because landscape designers and home gardeners feel that taller varieties do not capture the roll of an effective ground cover.

However, over the years some of the best uses of ground covers that I have seen have been varieties of 24” and up in size.

When traveling I always take note of the various species that are being used as ground covers and see no reason why the spectrum of plants can not be increased wherever you live.

The following is a partial list of quality selections that can and should be used as ground cover plants. Please be advised that if a plant will not thrive in full shade it will not be listed.

Perennials

• Aegopodium
• Ajuga
• Aristolachia
• Asarum
• Bergenia
• Brunnera
• Cyclamen
• Euonymus
• Ficus
• Galium
• Glechoma
• Hedera
• Helleborus
• Hosta
• Houttuynia
• Hydrocotyle
• Lamiastrum
• Liriope
• Lysimachia
• Pachysandra
• Pinellia
• Sagina
• Symphytum
• Tiarella
• Trifolium
• Waldsteinia

Ferns: All Varieties

Grass:

• Lamium
• Pulmonaria
• Vinca
• Carex

Calculating number of plants needed per square foot can be confusing without the assistance of our helpful chart and hope you will find it useful.

Following is a rather short list of evergreen ground cover selections.

Yes this listing is short but we believe that some of the best varieties available that will perform in full shade have been placed in it.

Evergreen Ground Covers for Shade

• Ajuga
• Asarum species
• Bergenia
• Hedera
• Helleborus
• Liriope
• Pachysandra
• Vinca
• Waldsteinia
• Ferns

A rather limited number of hardy ferns are evergreen from zone 6B and north whereas more are available from zone 7 into the south.

Check locally with a horticulturist for evergreen ferns that have proven reliable in your area.

From Shade Ground Cover to Ground Covers