Creeping Buttercups like to grow in damp soil and enjoy partial to full shade. Brass Buttons (Leptinella) Another shade ground cover that has really unique foliage is known as brass buttons. The evergreen shrub grows well throughout the Lone Star State, and its compact growth makes it perfect for landscaping small gardens. However, they will regrow the next spring to provide good ground cover from spring until late fall. Because monkey grass thrives in the shade, it can be planted under shrubs and trees or in areas that are in constant shade. Shade plants must be able to grow well in limited sunshine. If you feel the need to trim something weekly, go back to grass. Not cut, mind you, but rip, shred and tear the leaves and vines. Excellent for the front yard near the curb and sidewalk or between driveways. Some varieties of Epimedium lose their leaves every fall (deciduous) and some are evergreen. The small flowers grow on upright stems that reach up from the top of the plant. Ready to have a shade plants in your home garden? Epimedium x rubrum produces flowers with three colors. USDA Zone 7: Central Texas and the states western region. TRAILING LANTANA (Lantana montevidensis): lilac flowers; blooms in spring, summer, fall; very drought tolerant; great as a groundcover, in containers or hanging baskets; sun or partial shade; 1 to 2 feet. Coupon eligible. The clear benefit of using ground covers instead of grass is. English ivy is very good. Related reading:The top shade plants for growing in Florida. It takes full sun to light shade. Perennial geraniums may form large colonies. It also prefers well-drained soil with little watering needed. They are also shade-loving plants that grow as ground cover in Texas gardens that get little daily sunlight. Bush germander a very low growing perennial with purple flowers; excellent for those hot and dry row areas along the street. Sounds perfect, except that plumbago can spread aggressivelycut it out with a spade if it oversteps its borders. Coupon eligible. To help those who don't know the best landscape plants for this area, the following is a list which you should choose from: Click on a topic below to go directly to the type of plants you're looking for. Most varieties bloom in the fall, but others can bloom in summer or grow throughout autumn and winter as it is cool-season flowers. Plant 'White Nancy,' a vigorous ground cover, in a confined space. If you don't exactly have a green thumb but what to add some color and interest to your landscaping, then consider ground cover. 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 dont thrive. Its an opportunity for something different. I find it does best in small, confined beds. Its also called lilyturf by a few people. Creeping thyme belongs to the mint family and has a pleasant scent; while not grown as an herb, it can be used for cooking. It emits a vanilla aroma and attracts pollinators. All parts of the plant are toxic and may cause digestive upset or skin irritations. The plant has drawbacks, though. USDA growing zones: 7 to 9. Catmint grows in clumps but spreads, making it suitable for edging beds or spilling over walls. Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) is one of the smallest varieties of the mint family and spreads out to form a green mat-like covering in shady areas. A collection of hosta plants herbaceous perennial ground cover plant. Add to Favorites . There is a reason you see rows and rows of vinca plants at the big-box nurseries. One thing to consider before choosing this type of plant for ground covering is its toxicity. Come to Milbergers Nursery and talk to one of our garden experts: theyll be happy to help you find the shade plant thats right for you. No water, fertilizer, or pruning required. Plant Asiatic Jasmine in your yard for an easy-going, attractive. I find it does best in small, confined beds. a classic and still one of the best, this one is also virtually indestructible. With blades thinner than those of liriope, mondo grass grows in clumps from rhizomes in USDA zones 7 to 11. Fortunately, a number of ground covers flourish in full to partial shade, and some of them offer the bonus of seasonal flowers. It does bloom in the summer, but it is a little tall as a ground cover, and so I use it more in smaller areas for drama. Its not a problem. It is a notable problem in many parts of the U.S., especially the Pacific coastal states. The most fragrant type of Hosta is the Hosta plantaginea which produces strongly-scented white flowers. Ground covers are low-maintenance plants that spread quickly and usually grow from one to 12 inches in heighttechnically anything that covers the soil, including various types of grass. Although this fast-spreading plant thrives best in shady areas and woodlands, many gardeners consider it too invasive to plant in the garden. my all-time favorite shade perennial that can be used as a ground cover. Succulent offers. No water, fertilizer, or pruning required. Although it thrives in full sun, it also performs well in partial shade. in journalism and an M.A.in English, both from the University of North Texas. Dark-green, grass-like foliage grows in dense clumps. The lilyturf plant can grow quite quickly and is a good landscaping solution for evergreen ground cover. Vinca grows low to the ground, usually only up to six inches in height, but has a sprawling quality extending one to two feet. On the positive side, it does form such a dense mat that weeds are generally choked out. Let me suggest something to you. Mondo grass is a perennial ground cover that grows well in partial shade or full sun. Ground cover Spotted Dead Nettle plants thrive in moist soil that is out of direct sunlight. Japanese painted fern(Athyrium niponicum var. My favorite is mondo grass, regular mondo grass. Coupon eligible. This zone includes Amarillo, Canyon, and Borger. Sign up to receive special offers, expert advice and tips to transform your yard into a landscape showplace! So they're an excellent ground cover for low light areas in zones 4-8. This type of ground cover plant has green leaves with creamy white edges. Sweet woodruff grows along the ground and can grow up to 20 (50 cm) long. 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. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. The hydrangea flowers can be blue, lilac, purple, red, white, pink or multi-colored, depending on the cultivar and soil type. Ground Covers Vines Dwarf Shrubs Small Shrubs Medium Shrubs Large Shrubs Small Trees Medium Trees Large Trees GROUND COVERS (space 1 apart) Bishops Weed is a fast growing ground cover plant to grow in a shady part of your garden. It has a low maintenance requirement and can thrive in hot climates. Frog fruit may grow in sun or shade and can spread rapidly. This variety only grows to 4 tall (10 cm) with a small spread. Your local university extension office is usually the best place for information. This type of shade-loving perennial ground cover plant produces small flowers in the spring. Shrubs that also thrive in the shade include Philodendron, Aralia, Aucuba and Mahonia with ferns like Holly fern or Autumn fern providing a cool tropical look. Flowering vs. Evergreen Ground Covers Liriope is also called monkey grass or spider grass as it has grass-like foliage that grows in tufts. As a remedy, plant something in the problem sites that requires less light. Many of the best are hybrids. Learn more at neilsperry . A very common gardening error is to think that a plant that "tolerates" shade will grow in complete dense shade. Some plants, such as lily-of-the-valley(Convallaria majalis), have such a bad reputation that they don't even bear consideration. Liriope is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 10. However, this grass type of ground cover thrives better in full sun rather than shade. The mound-forming perennials have long, dark green leaves and tolerate drought, heat, and shade. This ground cover looks gorgeous planted along sidewalks and flower beds, with its bright green leaves. We Think You'll Really Dig It. There are 19 of them in the metroplex and a couple in Houston under the name of Cornelius, wonderful places to shop. Blossoms are individual and white in color, and leaves are bright green with toothed edges. Horseherb Download the Free PDF: Texas Native Shade Plants Best North Texas Shade Plants Best South Texas Shade Plants Best Central Texas Shade Plants With blades thinner than those of liriope, mondo grass grows in clumps from rhizomes in USDA zones 7 to 11. Some ornamental grasses are also well suited for shade conditions. This easy-to-grow plant, which doesn't require deadheading flowers or fertilizer, blooms in the spring and summer. Sun exposure: Part shade to complete shade. Sun exposure: Partial shade to full shade. In addition, since they are rooted more deeply than those in small pots, the soil is more protected from erosion. Groundcovers for Dry Shade Annuals: It's a tricky month for annuals since we get hot days. The plant in the picture is the Lamium maculatum cultivar. For this reason, it is considered an invasive species in some places, especially areas of the Northeast and Northwest. Neil Sperry, a McKinney resident, hosts Neil Sperry's Texas Gardening from 8 to 10 a.m. Sundays on WBAP-AM (820). After all, most plants, especially flowering ones, require some sunlight to thrive. In addition to the floral blooms, the variegated and silvery foliage is often the main feature of this plant. Creeping Buttercup is a fast growing flowering ground cover plant. It is characterized by its large, deeply lobed leaves, large conical clusters of white flowers, and rich cinnamon-brown fall colors. Adorn your garden in the timeless elegance of Roses! The absence of flowers may be a deal-breaker for some gardeners, but others adore good foliage plants. The attractive features of this evergreen plant are its purple and green foliage, a profusion of tiny white flowers, and bright red berries that persist during fall and winter. Maybe you have a steep slope that's difficult or dangerous to use a lawnmower. Average minimum winter temperatures are 0F to 10F. These are excellent ground cover plants for dry shade. During the summer and fall, this evergreen plant produces tiny upright lavender-colored flowers that look like spikes. Instead of worrying about mowing the grass, ground covers can replace certain areas of your yard that may be difficult to access or don't have enough natural light to grow grass properly. In warmer zones, this plant is a perennial, so youll be able to appreciate its beauty each year that it returns. Landscape crews string-trim this plant weekly. Here are some examples of great ground covers, separated by light requirements. For an even more striking landscape idea, you can plant a black variety of Mondo grass. The perennial ground cover is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and grows around one foot tall. Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade, or full shade. Ferns are generally great choices for shady areas. In addition, since they are rooted more deeply than those in small pots, the soil is more protected from erosion. Ground. Also, it is attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies so that you might enjoy some new visitors in your garden. Ornamental strawberries growing in a shade garden. It has tiny fern-like leaves that are multi-colored dark purple and bright green. Considered an invasive plant in some regions, Sweet Alyssum will coat your landscape with beautiful, honey-smelling flowers. Texas sedge SAWS Conservation personnel are excited about this native in the landscape. Its height varies from one to two feet. It is, however, relatively easy to control by cropping in closely with a mower or by denying it water. USDA Zone 8: Central Texas, but the eastern part of the state. But don't be deceived by its good looks. Ajuga are low-growing groundcovers with glossy leaves and spiked flowers, perfect for morning sun afternoon shade areas. Ive used that term three or four times. I find it does best in small, confined beds. It is an especially severe problem in the Northwest U.S. Liriope spicata is another potentially invasive ground cover for shade. This evergreen grass grows to be four to six inches tall. Grow carpet bugle in USDA zones 4 through 9. One of the reasons why many gardeners choose this low-maintenance landscaping option is for its good all-year-round cover. You can avoid those major roots of the trees, and then put the shade-tolerant groundcovers. the classic and still great ground cover for the shade. The leaves may lose their color during the winter, but they will start growing again in the spring. Features purple foliage and pink flowers, and the only maintenance required is pruning once every five years. The cast iron plant thrives in Central and Southern Texas and needs hardly any sunlight to thrive. The ground cover plant thrives in full to partial shade and flowers every spring when new leaves appear. That said, I do have one pet peeve with a commonly used ground cover: Asiatic jasmine. Coupon eligible. Golden Oregano is another creeping vine that is ideal in Texas, thanks to its resilience. In late spring, expect to get delicate flowers that are tan to purple color and have 3 petals. You get the idea. For the look of lawn grass, but not the upkeep, mondo is your plant. Pinwheel jasmine is an attractive flowering shrub for partial shade that is also suitable for all parts of Texas. Once the roots of these plants are established, its very hardy and drought tolerant. If you live in Texas and want to plant some ground-covering foliage, its crucial to pick something that will tolerate the environment. Lady's mantle can thrive in partial sunlight but also succeeds primarily in the shade. Mark A. Peterson is a conservation project coordinator for San Antonio Water System. Several plants in this list happily grow in full or partial shade. That said, I do have one pet peeve with a commonly used ground cover: Here are some examples of great ground covers, separated by light requirements. Lawn maintenance can be boring, so put something colorful in its place. Vancouveria offers an understated, graceful look. This strength is to the gardener's advantage in areas where the weather can be unpredictable. Liriope is a drought-resistant and hardy ground cover plant for shade. Zones: 4-8. All Rights Reserved. There are many varieties of ground cover plants for any type of garden. Like carpet bugleweed, Japanese pachysandra prefers fertile, well-drained soil. The eye-catching landscaping shrub has clusters of small purple flowers, leathery green leaves with yellow mottling, and bright red berries in the fall. Most thyme plants are perennials with pointed, blue-green leaves that softly blanket the ground. Very soon, the cascading leaves will beautify your garden or yard. 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