Which shade ground cover spreads the fastest?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Ground cover shade plants such as Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea' (Creeping Jenny) are one way to fill barren spots quickly. I have seen this plant spread up to 18 inches in a single year under maples, with few or no other perennials. Golden foliage weaved between roots is both beautiful and functional. If your area is tight, or there is little soil depth, you may prefer Mazus reptans, which is a rapid spreader and can be used to form a dense mat that will withstand light foot traffic.
Growth Habits
- Lysimachia: Spreads via above-ground runners (stolons)
- Mazus: Forms interconnected rosettes through rhizomes
- Both grow 12-18 inches annually in moist, well-drained soil
Care Essentials
- Prune Lysimachia in early spring to control spread
- Mazus thrives in pH 6.0-7.0, test soil before planting
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot in shaded areas
Soil preparation enhances growth performance. For a shaded slope of one client, I amended heavy clay with compost, and Mazus covered 100 sq ft in 8 months. For acidic sites, add lime to achieve a pH of 6.5. Be sure to mulch with shredded leaves, as it retains moisture without damaging the delicate runners.
Design with containment in mind. Species like Lysimachia can be edged with steel borders and moved to a stone path. I used Hosta ‘June' to container a patch of it under a client's birch tree, the gold and blue foliage complimented each other, providing depth, and helpful in containing the spread.
Ecological balance is important. While it grows quickly, Lysimachia supports fewer pollinators than the native species Mitchella repens. In a restoration project that involved using Mazus, removing invasive ivy resulted in a 40% increase in underground beetles. While speed is desirable, we can't compromise ecosystem health. Search accordingly.
Read the full article: 10 Best Ground Cover Shade Plants
