Discover the Top 10 Best Perennial Ground Cover for Shade

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Discover the Top 10 Best Perennial Ground Cover for Shade

Are you struggling to find a low-maintenance solution for covering ground in that shaded area of your garden? Look no further than perennial ground covers for shade. Not only will they thrive in lower light conditions, but they also require less upkeep, making them an excellent choice for busy gardeners. Below are the top 10 best perennial ground covers for shade to transform your patchy space into a lush and vibrant one.

Hostas

Low-Maintenance Beauties

Hostas are well-known for their lush, green leaves that add a touch of elegance to any garden. They do not need too much sunlight to thrive, which makes them perfect candidates for shaded areas. This plant does not require a lot of maintenance, as long as you keep it moist and provide regular fertilization.

Why Choose Hostas?

• Hostas are very versatile
• There are over 3,000 varieties to choose from!
• Can tolerate almost any soil type
• Deer resistant

How to Care for Hostas

• Regular watering is crucial for hostas.
• Provide adequate drainage and avoid standing water around the roots.
• Remove dead or damaged leaves regularly
• Mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Best Varieties for Shade

• Royal Standard
• Blue Angel
• Francee
• Sum and Substance
• August Moon

Lamiums

Colorful Foliage with Stunning Blooms

Lamiums, also known as Deadnettle, are a colorful addition to any shady spot. With its silver-green leaves and aromatic pink or purple flowers, it adds a pop of color to any garden. Similar to Hostas, they do not require too much maintenance.

Why Choose Lamiums?

• Can be grown in almost any soil type
• Deer and Rabbit Resistant
• Very low-maintenance
• Beautiful flowers and foliage

How to Care for Lamiums

• Regular watering
• Deadheading of spent blooms can help promote new growth
• Prune back leggy stems to ensure a bushy, full plant
• Mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds

Best Varieties for Shade

• White Nancy
• Pink Pewter
• Golden Anniversary
• Lemony Lace

Ajuga

Minimal Upkeep with Gorgeous Foliage

Ajuga, also known as ‘Bugleweed’, is a tough and adaptable ground cover that can tolerate many different soil types, including dry or moist conditions. It’s easy to grow, requires little maintenance and boasts attractive, deep-green leaves that spread quickly to form a dense mat of foliage.

Why Choose Ajuga?

• Adaptable to different soil conditions
• Tolerates drought well once established
• Low-maintenance
• Attractive foliage

How to Care for Ajuga

• Water regularly, especially during hot summer weather
• Trim back after flowering to encourage bushy growth
• Provide good drainage

Best Varieties for Shade

• Chocolate Chip
• Burgundy Glow
• Bronze Beauty

Pachysandra

Evergreen Ground Cover Choice

Pachysandra is an evergreen ground cover that is perfect for shady spots, as it grows well under tree canopies. This plant enjoys loamy, well-drained soil and will do well in acidic or neutral soils. Don't let the notion of fast growth fool you, this plant doesn't require complicated maintenance.

Why Choose Pachysandra?

• Evergreen foliage
• Good for planting under trees
• Resistant to rabbit and deer damage
• Low-maintenance

How to Care for Pachysandra

• Keep the soil moist
• Avoid overwatering as this will cause root rot
• Prune occasionally to prevent any leggy or straggly growth

Best Varieties for Shade

• Green Carpet
• Variegata
• Silver Edge

Sweet Woodruff

Hardy Carpet of Tiny Stars

The sweet woodruff is a fragrant perennial that does well in shady wet soils. The soft white or pink blooms provide a dainty touch to the grounded cover. In fact, it's not uncommon to see it blooming from early spring until early summer.

Why Choose Sweet Woodruff?

• Beautiful carpet of flowers
• Fragrant blossoms
• Tolerates heavy shade
• Low-maintenance

How to Care for Sweet Woodruff

• Provide regular watering to keep the soil consistently slightly moist.
• Remove faded blooms after the first waves have ended to encourage a continuous bloom cycle
• Add a layer of mulch around the plant to regulate moisture and prevent weed growth

Best Varieties for Shade

• White Robe
• Snowflakes

Wild Ginger

Low-Growing Ground Cover with Edible Roots

Wild ginger is an excellent choice for woodland and naturalized gardens. It forms a dense mat of delicate foliage with beautiful, dark-green heart-shaped leaves. This ground cover plant also has rhizomes that are not only edible, but it can also be used as a natural remedy for several health issues.

Why Choose Wild Ginger?

• Beautiful foliage all year round
• Tolerant of almost any soil type
• Edible rhizomes
• Low-maintenance

How to Care for Wild Ginger

• Provide regular watering
• Avoid overwatering, as this could lead to root rot
• Divide the plants every few years to prevent overcrowding

Best Varieties for Shade

• Canadensis
• Gigantea

Foam Flower

Dainty Flowers with Beautiful Foliage

With its beautiful heart-shaped leaves and delicate blooms, Foamflower is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add some elegance to their gardens. It grows well under trees or in shady areas with moist soil.

Why Choose Foam Flower?

• Attractive foliage
• Adaptive to a wide range of soils
• Deer Resistant
• Showy flowers

How to Care for Foam Flower

• Keep the soil evenly moist
• Deadhead spent blooms regularly
• Use mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture

Best Varieties for Shade

• White Pearl
• Raspberry Patch

Tiarella

Perfectly Suited for Full Shade Areas

Tiarella, also known as foam flower, is a low-growing plant that forms dense clumps of attractive foliage. It's perfect for adding some color to your shady garden due to its ability to thrive in full shade conditions.

Why Choose Tiarella?

• Beautiful foliage with textures
• Versatile
• Low-maintenance
• Adaptable to numerous soils types

How to Care for Tiarella

• Regular watering
• Prune back the leggy growth to ensure a bushy plant is maintained
• Mulch to keep roots cool and prevent weed growth

Best Varieties for Shade

• Appalachian Trail
• Crow Feather

Coral Bells

Textured and Colorful Choice

Coral Bells, also known as Heuchera, are one of the most versatile ground cover plants in shady areas. They require minimal maintenance, yet they offer several different textures, sizes, and colors that will liven up any corner or edge in your shaded garden.

Why Choose Coral Bells?

• Numerous varieties offer ever-changing foliage color options to change throughout the year
• Fragrant blooms
• Versatile in numerous soil types
• Very low-maintenance

How to Care for Coral Bells

• Provide regular watering
• Add nutrient-rich compost or organic matter when planting
• Pinch back spent blossoms to encourage new growth
• Divide the clumps plant every 2-3 years during dormancy period to prevent overcrowding

Best Varieties for Shade

• Plum Pudding
• Carnival Watercolors
• Midnight Rose

Lily of the Valley

Fragrant Perennial Favorite

Lily of the Valley, with its delicate bell-shaped flowers, has been a favorite of gardeners since the early days due to its fragrance and effortless maintenance. The plant prefers rich, organic soil and evenly moist condition, though it has no problem thriving with minimal attention.

Why Choose Lily of the Valley?

• Delicate fragrant blooms
• Adaptable to various soil conditions
• Successfully controls erosion on hildes
• Low-Maintenance

How to Care for Lily of the Valley

• Provide regular watering
• Mulching helps to maintain soil moisture and reduces weed growth
• Divide every few years, as the plants spread quickly

Best Varieties for Shade

• Albostriata
• Convallaria Rosea

When it comes to shady gardens, the options are endless. Hopefully, this list of the top 10 best perennial ground covers for shade will give you some ideas on how to enhance your garden space. Whether you opt for Hostas, Lamiums or Lily of the Valley, make sure to pick a plant that suits both your gardening style, and the unique conditions of your garden.

Do perennial ground covers for shade require a lot of maintenance?

No, most ground cover plants listed here require very little maintenance.

What are some general tips for growing ground cover in shaded areas?

The key is to ensure adequate watering and mulching to retain moisture while suppressing weeds.

Can all ground covers grow well in the shade?

Not all plants do well in the shade, so be sure to select ground covers that are specifically made for low light environments.

When should I plant perennial ground covers for shade?

Planting times can vary depending on the region and the specific plant. Consult a specialist if needed.

How do I know if my soil is suitable for growing shade-loving plants?

It's always a good idea to test the soil pH levels and review the type of soil you have.

Are there any low-maintenance ground covers for steep slopes that are also suited for shade?

Yes, Pachysandra and Wild Ginger are two examples that do well under these conditions.

What is the best way to water my shade-loving ground covers?

Water regularly and when needed to keep the soil consistently moist. It's best to avoid standing water around the roots due to root rot.

Should I fertilize my perennial ground covers for shade?

It's typically not necessary because these plants are low-maintenance. Still, incorporating compost or organic matter upon planting can help the plant grow faster and fuller.

Is it better to plant perennial ground covers from seed or buy them as small plants?

It is up to personal preference. Starting from seeds is a good option for gardeners looking to save money, while purchasing established plants is ideal for those wanting the plants to establish quickly.

Are there any companion plants that work well with perennial ground covers for shade?

Many types of ferns, astilbes, and bleeding hearts make excellent companions for the ground covers mentioned in this list.