Can you plant hardy ground cover plants in the shade? Which species are suitable for autumn planting? And what should you pay attention to when choosing?
In every garden there are also shady spots where lawns and most plants simply don't stand a chance. But the areas under trees or near walls, buildings or hedges do not necessarily have to remain bare. There are several ground cover plants that thrive in shade and sometimes even bloom. Just in time for fall planting, we are introducing some hardy ground cover plants for shade.
Determine the location: light shade or full shade?
Before we get to the list of plants, it is important to mention that different growing conditions also prevail in the shade. Not all shadows are the same and it is important to differentiate between light shadow and full shadow. If it is a location that receives moderate sunlight or is located under a translucent treetop, we are talking aboutlight shade or partial shade. Fully shaded areas are the areas on the north side of buildings and high walls, under roof overhangs, dense treetops and evergreen trees. In these places there is little to no direct sunlight, i.e. less than 4 hours per day. Our list refers to these locations.
Pay attention to soil requirements
Himselfeasy-care ground coverhave different requirements for the floor that should be taken into account when making your selection. There are species that like it dry and others that like it moist. Some thrive in poor soil, others need extra nutrients. If you are planning to plant a place in the shade, then first determine the soil conditions in order to make the right selection.
Which ground cover plants can you plant in the shade?
There are several beautiful species that can wonderfully add greenery to shady areas. If you can't wait until spring to plant, you can plant the following hardy ground covers for shade in the fall.
Ideal under trees: fat man
The Fat Man (Pachysandra terminalis) is a popular ground cover for shady areas in the garden. This evergreen plant forms dense, low carpets of glossy, dark green leaves. In spring, the fat man produces small, inconspicuous white flowers that spread a pleasant scent. The plant needs loose, humus-rich soil that is neutral or slightly acidic.
The common hazelroot is wintergreen
The hazel root (Asarum europaeum) is a hardy, low-growing perennial that prefers a shady location in the garden. Its kidney-shaped leaves remain dark green and shiny even in winter. The plant loves humus-rich and evenly moist soil, preferably calcareous and loose. The hazelroot is rather slow growing and it usually takes 1-2 years for it to take root. After that, the ground cover is very robust and requires almost no care.
Plant woodruff as a ground cover in the shade
The Woodruff (Gallium scented) is a popular plant for shady areas in the garden and can serve as an attractive ground cover. Since it is a cold germinator, it can germinate from Octoberbe sown in the garden. Woodruff prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Before planting, loosen the soil and remove all root weeds. However, keep in mind that woodruff can be invasive under certain conditions, so it is important to keep it under control if it spreads too much.
Plant elf flowers for a dense carpet under trees
The Fairy Flower (Epimedium) is an excellent choice as a ground cover, especially for shady locations. It thrives particularly well under deciduous trees and shrubs, where it has competition from other plants. Early autumn is a good time for planting, but to be on the safe side you should mulch the young plants with a layer of autumn leaves. In April and May, the delicate flowers appear above the foliage and, depending on the variety, bloom white, yellow, red, orange, pink, purple or even two-tone. The elf flower has low demands on the soil - it should only be well-drained.
Fast-growing ground cover for shade: ivy
For a green, sturdy carpet in the shade, you can use ivy (Ivy helix) plant as ground cover. In the first two years, ivy needs regular pruning so that it can grow thickly. After that, the ground cover is considered very easy to care for. Fall is a good time to plant as long as the soil is moist. Although ivy is hardy, protect the plants from frost when planting in autumn, for example with brushwood or pine branches. The ground cover does not tolerate waterlogging or drought well, so you should loosen the soil before planting and mix it with sand or gravel and water the plant during dry periods.
Flowering and hardy: the trefoil golden strawberry
The Trefoil or Carpet Golden Strawberry (Waldsteinia ternata) is a beautiful flowering ground cover that can cover large areas via rhizomes and runners. The yellow flowers appear from April to June and beautify the shade bed. Similar to strawberries, autumn planting is also ideal for Waldsteinia. Place the ground cover in the shade in humus-rich, loose and nutrient-rich soil. Although these are the ideal conditions, the plant also tolerates dry soil well.
This cranesbill is a hardy ground cover for shade
The Knotted Mountain Forest Cranesbill (Geranium nodosa) is a ground cover that impresses with delicate, light purple flowers over a long period of time. It blooms from May to August, and in addition to its floral display, its attractive green foliage also makes it an attractive plant all year round. It is characterized by its robustness and thrives even in heavily shaded areas under trees or along high walls. In autumn it sheds its leaves and overwinters successfully underground. Plants should be placed in fresh, well-drained soil. Every three years it is advisable to divide the mountain forest cranesbill and, if necessary, remove weak roots and shoots to promote their health.
Also worth knowing:Popular But Poisonous Ground Cover Plants You Should Know
The large-leaved periwinkle is sturdy
The large-leaved periwinkle (Vinca major) is a walkable plant that produces numerous purple-blue flowers during the flowering period. In April and May it shows an abundance of solitary flowers, which provide a beautiful contrast to the large, shiny leaves. The evergreen thrives best in semi-shady to shady locations with permeable, moderately moist, humus-rich and sandy-loamy soil. It is well suited for underplanting trees and shrubs, as well as overhanging walls or on hills. In harsh locations, light winter protection is recommended to ensure that Vinca major survives the winter well, although it can tolerate temperatures down to -15°C.
Why should you use ground cover for shade?
In addition to the aesthetics and order in the garden, there is also another reason why you should plant the shady spots with ground cover plants. Weed growth is often difficult to regulate in these areas. And ground cover is aexcellent remedy against weeds,because they grow densely and crowd out unwanted weeds.
