Can any ground cover survive in full shade?

Ground cover shade plants, such as Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger), are ideally suited to tackle low-light constraints. We installed it as a new layer of vegetative ground cover under quite dense branches in a client's oak-dominated backyard project, and its glossy leaves now cover the soil surface, shading it from emerging weeds, and providing shelter for salamanders. Full shade does not imply a dead landscape when planting suitable species that are also robust for the situation.

Soil preparation is particularly important in full shade. Underneath a client's magnolia, we put down a layer of 3 inches of compost on top of the clay, and Galium odoratum is growing and thriving without supplemental irrigation. For (Hexastylis), we used crushed limestone to address pH. These small adjustments convert stagnant dirt into active nurseries for roots.

Design with contrasting textures, such as the strappy blades of Ophiopogon running beside Hosta "Blue Angel" in seating areas, or a shaded side yard, where I combined Asarum with Tiarella. Although neither has striking forms that dominate the planting, their heart-shaped leaves and feathery blossoms create movement in an area that barely receives light.

The ecological benefits surpass the aesthetics. For example, Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry) is loved by winter birds, and the flowers of Asarum lure ground beetles, which aerate the soil. Rather than invasive vines, these natives improve ecosystems. A client on a shaded slope of their property now has 14 bird species, and the evidence indicates positive consequences of well-informed decisions in the environment.

Read the full article: 10 Best Ground Cover Shade Plants