Hey fellow gardeners! I’ve spent years battling those tricky shaded spots in my garden where nothing seems to grow. You know what I’m talking about – those dark corners under trees or along north-facing walls that just look sad and empty. Well, I’ve got some exciting news for you! After lots of trial and error (and yes, some epic failures), I’ve discovered some amazing ground cover plants that not only survive but actually thrive in the shade.
Why You Need Ground Covers in Shady Areas
Before we dive into the plant list let me tell you why ground covers are your best friends for shady spots
- They suppress those annoying weeds naturally
- Come back year after year (saving you money!)
- Most need very little maintenance
- Add beautiful texture and color to dark corners
- Help prevent soil erosion
- Many stay green all year round
Top 12 Shade-Loving Ground Covers
1. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
This little beauty is one of my personal favorites! Despite its delicate appearance, it’s actually super tough:
- Height: Around 15 inches
- Flowers: Cute white star-shaped blooms in early summer
- Bonus: Has a lovely fragrance
- Growing zones: 5-8
- Pro tip: Keep it moist in southern gardens
2. Wild Ginger (Asarum shuttleworthii)
Looking for something evergreen? Wild ginger’s got you covered:
- Height: 4 inches
- Leaves: Beautiful variegated patterns
- Spread: Slow but steady
- Growing zones: 6-9
- Best feature: Drought-tolerant once established
3. Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Talk about a workhorse in the garden! Bugleweed is amazing for:
- Fast growth
- Blue flower spikes in spring
- Semi-evergreen foliage
- Different varieties available
- Perfect between stepping stones
4. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
We love these for their incredible foliage colors
- Height: Varies by variety
- Colors: From purple to lime green
- Bonus: Pretty bell-shaped flowers
- Year-round interest
- Great for mixing with other shade plants
5. Japanese Painted Fern
This fancy fern brings the drama:
- Silvery-gray fronds
- Maroon accents
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Low maintenance
- Perfect for woodland gardens
Tips for Success with Shade Ground Covers
Here’s what I’ve learned from my experiences:
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Soil Prep is Key
- Add organic matter
- Ensure good drainage
- Test soil pH (most shade lovers prefer slightly acidic soil)
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Planting Strategy
- Space plants according to their spread
- Plant in spring or fall
- Water well until established
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Maintenance Tips
- Remove leaves in fall
- Trim back as needed
- Watch for spreading in some varieties
Common Problems and Solutions
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s what to watch for:
- Too Much Spread: Some plants like Bugleweed can get enthusiastic. Plant barriers or choose slower-spreading varieties.
- Poor Growth: Usually means not enough moisture or nutrients. Add compost and maintain consistent watering.
- Pest Issues: Most shade ground covers are pretty tough, but watch for slugs and snails.
My Personal Experience
I gotta tell ya, when I first started gardening in shade, I made some mistakes. I tried forcing sun-loving plants to grow there (spoiler alert epic fail!). But these ground covers? They’ve been game-changers for my garden My favorite combo is mixing Coral Bells with Japanese Painted Ferns – the contrast is absolutely stunning!
Planning Your Shade Garden
Here’s a quick guide to get you started:
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Assess Your Shade
- Deep shade (no direct sun)
- Partial shade (2-4 hours sun)
- Dappled shade (filtered light)
-
Consider Your Goals
- Quick coverage
- Year-round interest
- Flowering vs. foliage
- Maintenance level
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Make Your Plant Selection
- Match plants to your conditions
- Consider mature size
- Think about combinations
Don’t let those shady spots in your garden get you down! With these awesome ground covers, you can transform those challenging areas into beautiful, low-maintenance spaces. Start with one or two varieties and see how they do in your garden. Before you know it, you’ll be addicted to shade gardening just like me!
Remember, gardening is all about experimentation and learning from our successes (and failures). What works in my garden might need tweaking in yours, so don’t be afraid to try different combinations until you find your perfect shade garden mix.
What Would You like to Learn About Today?
Often times shady spots are neglected in gardens, especially tough-to-fill sites under trees, shrubs, or structures. While you could spread mulch and call it a day, you could up your garden game by planting shade-tolerant ground covers instead! They’re economical (returning year after year, free of charge), low maintenance (or completely maintenance-free), flowering (look gorgeous) and hard-working (suppressing weeds along the way). There are so many plants that can do the job, but here are 9 of our favorites!
Bugleweed is a fast-growing, ground-hugging, semi-evergreen flowering groundcover with dozens of blue flowers in spring. Plant bugleweeds (like Chocolate Chip, Black Scallop, or Tropical Toucan) beneath taller growing perennials or shrubs in place of costly mulch to help keep the weeds down. Highly effective between stepping stones. Be careful not to plant too close to a lawn where it will co-mingle with grass. It can be difficult to eradicate!
Yellow creeping Jenny effortlessly forms a dense mat of small golden foliage. It spreads quickly and roots easily, which means your garden will be transformed in no time! Use it in containers, garden beds, or both. Perfect for planting underneath tall perennials & shrubs.
If you’ve read our other blogs, you know that we love coral bells for their color, utility, and easy-going nature. These shade-loving perennials effortlessly brighten the garden with colorful foliage from spring through fall. They even boast tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers in late spring/early summer. It’s easy to mix and match them with other ground covers, or just more coral bells!
10 Fast Growing Ground Cover Plants for Shade ✅ Shade Ground Cover
FAQ
What ground cover is best in shade?
Groundcovers for shade also include periwinkle (Vinca minor), hosta (Hosta spp.), and coral bells (Heuchera spp.). These low-growing plants thrive in shady areas, providing a lush carpet of foliage while suppressing weeds. They are easy to care for and can add beauty and interest to any shaded garden.
What plants do well in 100% shade?
Ferns and hostas are the most popular, easy-to-grow shade plants. Both provide excellent ground cover, beautiful foliage, and are easy to care for. These are excellent options for beginner and expert gardeners alike!
What is the most low maintenance ground cover?
1. Moss. If you have a shady backyard, embrace it! A moss lawn stays green all year long and requires almost no maintenance (no fertilizing, no mowing).Apr 24, 2025
What is the quickest growing ground cover?
For rapid ground cover, consider Japanese pachysandra, yellow archangel, sweet woodruff, or Asiatic jasmine.