Asian jasmine tops the list of reliable groundcovers

There will probably never be any grass that grows well in the shade. Effective and less frustrating alternatives are hard-surfaced materials such as decomposed granite, flagstone, lava gravel, basalt gravel, and natural mulches. Shade-loving shrubs, ferns and other plants can also be used. Artificial grass is growing in popularity, but I’m not a huge fan. This organic guy likes real plants better. There are also concerns about the plastic material that covers the roots of trees and prevents the root system from “breathing” properly.

Ground covers that behave quite well and will be successful include Asian jasmine, English ivy, Persian ivy, liriope, ophiopogon, horse weed, and winter creeper.

Asian jasmine is high on the list. It is evergreen, dense, low-growing, and climbs, but not easily. Mixed shapes are also available. By mowing at a high level in late winter and again in July, it can be kept very short.

English ivy is good for shade to partial shade. It will climb most of the surfaces. It takes good bed preparation, positive drainage, and mulch for quick establishment. Needlepoint and Hahn’s ivy are small-leaved varieties. A colorful shape creates an effective contrast to flowering plants.

Horseherb is an easy to grow and long lasting native flowering ground cover.(Howard Garrett / special article)

Horseherb is a deciduous to semi-evergreen native ground cover for shade to partial shade. It has tiny yellow flowers and is easy to grow. It freezes to the ground in a few winters but returns every spring. It is drought tolerant, pest free and looks great when planted with wild violets. Unfortunately, some people call it the straggler daisy and consider it a weed.

Persian ivy is wonderful for shady spots. It looks softer, is just as cold-tolerant as English ivy and less prone to common diseases. English ivy can withstand a bit of direct sun. Persian ivy does not tolerate direct sun and people who still use nitrogen-rich fertilizers will have difficulty growing it. It’s a little hard to find.

Liriope, also known as monkey grass and lilyturf, is an evergreen ground cover for sun or shade. Grassy clumps that spread through underground stems and blue flowers form on the stems in early summer. Liriope can be felled in late winter just before the new spring growth, but that is not critical. It’s easy to split and transplant at any time.

Ophiopogon makes for a soft, beautiful appearance in sun or shade.Ophiopogon makes for a soft, beautiful appearance in sun or shade.(Howard Garrett / special article)

Ophiopogon, also known as mondogras, is an evergreen, low-growing grass-like ground cover for shade or partial shade. It grows in clumps but spreads through rhizomes to form a nice solid mass. It needs constant moisture and regular fertilization. It can be mowed occasionally to see more lawn, but it is not necessary. A dwarf form of this plant is very compact, dark green and slow-growing. A black shape grows even more slowly.

Winter creeper, also known as purple winter creeper, grows well in partial shade, and I even use it mixed with other ground covers like ivy and Asian jasmine.

I also like moss, dichondra and frog fruits, especially on small areas. But unfortunately, some gardeners consider these plants to be weeds.

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