Ground Covers For Shade

Ground Covers For Shade – Why Have Bare Patches In The Shade?

In my previous garden, which was very large with lots of trees, there were often times when I needed ground covers for shade. I quickly discovered that, if you find the right ones, they are a real asset to the flower beds, between paths and in areas where nothing much else will thrive.

I planted a swathe of Ajuga in amongst the stepping stones in the shadow of our car park and a Coprosmia which had rapidly left “shrub” status behind. They provided a lush cover of bronze leaves and upstanding, dark blue flowers. Along with them I planted Liriope which is part of the lily family actually, although the flowers are more like grape hyacinths and the leaves are similar to Mondo grass which, by the way, also make great ground covers for shade. Unlike Ajugas, though these are more modest in their growth habit. They make mounds whereas Ajugas spread. They brighten up the shadows with their lavender, blue or white flowers.

As my trees grew bigger my shade areas expanded and I was pleasantly surprised to see that lots of sun plants actually did fine in part shade, including a whole bed of Agapanthus and, believe it or not, Day Lilies (Hemerocallis). I love Day Lilies as I think of them as the hard working versions of Liliums. In among the Day Lilies spread a variety of ground covers for shade that I thought would only grow in the sun, including Lamium which has green and silver leaves and little purple flowers. It grew alongside a spreading Plectranthus which loved its spot already, being a shade lover. I gather that it is better grown here as a house plant.

I have also planted a Fuchsia ground cover for shade which I had never come across before. When I bought it it was full of red berries which seemed far too big for such a small leaved plant, but I hear it gets small but very bright flowers in the summer. I look forward to that bit of gaudiness!

Among ground covers for shade that I love is Peace In the Home. I have it here, growing in the shade of the next door neighbor’s house. I always thought it was a tricky little ground cover because it looks so fragile with its tiny little leaves, but it has proved to be otherwise, much to my delight, and also seems to be able to take a little bit of sun. I’m sure it would prefer to have lots of water but, as with all my plants along the driveway, it has to make do with a once a week watering in dry times and doesn’t seem to mind too much. It is growing around my potted Clivias and provides a suitably woodland-type background.

Here is a link to a list of plants which are gopher resistant: http://www.groundcoversandgardening.com/gopher resistant plants
and you can find deer resistant plants here.

Happy gardening and don’t forget your sunscreen. There’s so much skin cancer about, you must protect your skin.