Best native ground covers for shade, and how to get the most out of them
Why choose native plants as a ground cover?
These ostrich ferns act as an ideal native ground cover in this area of our garden. The ferns grow large and can easily reach three feet in height so they are not a ground cover for every area of the garden. Unlike lower-growing ground covers where you can grow flowers up through it, these ferns require large shrubs or small trees to be grown up through them.
If there is anything woodland gardeners are constantly searching for, it’s top performing ground covers to create the all important ground layer on the woodland floor.
A good ground cover performs many tasks in the garden, not the least of which is acting as green living mulch that helps to shade the soil and keep it from drying out. Some provide food for wildlife, others have flowers for pollinators and still others provide cover for small animals and reptiles.
Whether you have a shady backyard or a patio that doesn’t receive much sunlight, ground covers are perfect for adding beauty and greenery to those shaded areas.
Exploring the Benefits of Ground Covers for Shade
So what are the benefits of using ground covers for shade in your garden?
These versatile plants not only add beauty and visual interest to our outdoor spaces, they also offer a range of practical advantages. One of the key benefits is their ability to suppress weeds, reducing the need for constant maintenance and weed control.
Additionally, shade ground covers help to conserve moisture in the soil, preventing excessive evaporation and reducing the frequency of watering. They also act as a natural mulch, insulating the soil and protecting it from extreme temperatures.
Another advantage of using ground covers for shade is their ability to prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes or areas with poor drainage.
By covering the ground with their dense foliage, they stabilize the soil and prevent it from washing away during heavy rains. Furthermore, these ground covers provide habitat and food for beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife, contributing to a thriving ecosystem in your garden.
So, by incorporating shade ground covers into your landscape, you not only create a beautiful and low-maintenance garden but also support biodiversity and ecological balance.
Canada Anemone is another great native ground cover to consider if you have a more sunny area. The mass of white flowers in the spring is a welcome addition for pollinators and creates interest early in the gardening season.
Top Native Ground Covers For Shade
Trying to decide what ground covers will work best in your garden requires careful thought. The very qualities that make them great ground covers, are also qualities that many fear in their garden – primarily aggressive growth.
Unfortunately, aggressive growth is what makes ground covers both desirable and an annoyance when, either the wrong ones are planted in the garden, or the right ones are planted in the wrong areas and quickly get out of hand.
It’s even worse if these ground covers are considered invasive – pushing out native ground covers in natural areas.
Looking for more information on ground covers? Please check out my other posts on ground covers I use in the woodland garden.
• Bunchberry ideal ground cover
• What is the easiest ground cover to grow?
• Creeping thyme as a ground cover
• Moss and moss-like ground covers
• Virginia Creeper as a vine or ground cover
Vinca minor – also known as Periwinkle – has been a popular ground cover over the years, but is considered a non-native, invasive species that has taken over large areas of natural woodlands. This evergreen perennial boasts beautiful blue or white flowers and glossy green leaves. It spreads quickly, forming a dense carpet that effectively suppresses weeds and requires minimal maintenance.
Sounds perfect, but when it gets into natural areas it can strangle native ground covers that provide more benefits to local wildlife.
It’s best to pass on using periwinkle, now that we know its inherent problems.
Why Choose A Native Ground Cover
Choosing native plants not only enhances the beauty of your shade garden but also contributes to the overall health and sustainability of the ecosystem. Native plants have evolved over time to thrive in the local climate, making them well-suited to withstand the area’s unique weather conditions.
Infographic shows some of the best-performing native ground covers for shady areas.
By selecting native ground covers, you’re helping to preserve the natural biodiversity of the region and provide habitat for local wildlife. Additionally, these plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides compared to non-native species, making them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
So, by incorporating native plant ground covers into your shade garden, you’ll not only create a visually stunning oasis but also contribute to the preservation of the natural heritage.
Let’s explore further!
Now that we understand the benefits of choosing native plants for your shade garden, let’s take a look at some native plant ground covers for the northeastern areas of the United States and Southwestern areas of Canada.
Many of these ground covers grow over a wide ranging area, but it’s always a good idea to ensure that the ground covers you are planting are, in fact, native to your area.
Instead of periwinkle, consider one of the following native ground covers.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a delicate perennial with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers. It spreads quickly, forming a lush carpet-like cover that can withstand the challenges of shade. They like medium to wet loamy soil and grow to about two-feet tall or (0.5 m)
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is known for its glossy, kidney-shaped leaves and unique maroon flowers. It is hardy in zones 3-7. This low-growing plant (about 6 inches) thrives in moist, shady areas and can add a touch of elegance to the woodland garden, with its dark red-purple flower that appears under the plant for a short period in early spring. It’s an attractive, low-growing ground cover that keeps its foliage all through summer.
Another suggestion is Allegheny Pachysandra, a popular choice for its dense evergreen foliage and ability to tolerate dry shade. Its vibrant green leaves create a stunning backdrop for other plants, making it an excellent ground cover option. For more on this plant check out my post here.
Wild strawberry is a great choice
If you are looking for a particularly interesting native ground cover that is also a real benefit to wildlife, consider planting wild strawberry.
Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is a fast growing, low maintenance, drought tolerant spreader that fills in bare spots nicely.
It’s an excellent ground cover that spreads by runners. You can simply pinch off runners from the parent plant to create new plants. Tasty little strawberries are ready for early summer. You can even harvest the plant’s leaves to make a refreshing summer tea. Wild strawberry prefers part shade to full sun and alkaline soil. Planting it in full sun will yield sweeter berries.
Virginia Strawberry or Wild Strawberry is a ground-hugging plant rising from a fibrous, perennial root system. Hairy leaf petioles, up to 6 in. long, each bear a single trifoliate leaf. The hairy flower stalk gives rise to a loose cluster of small, five-petaled flowers followed by tasty, wild strawberries.
Found in patches in fields and dry openings, this plant produces the finest, sweetest, wild strawberry.
The edible portion of the strawberry is actually the central portion of the flower (receptacle) which enlarges greatly with maturity and is covered with the embedded, dried, seed-like fruit. Cultivated Strawberries are hybrids developed from this native species and the South American one. The similar Wood Strawberry (F. vesca), hardy in zones: 5 to 7, has seed-like fruit on the surface, not embedded, and sepals that point backwards.
Woodland Strawberry has narrower, thicker, darker green, and tougher (waxier) looking leaves than Wild Strawberry. Runners from Woodland Strawberry are up to 1 foot long, while the runners from Wild Strawberry can be 2 feet long.
Get the most out your ground covers
Now that you know about some of the top performing ground covers for shade, let’s explore some tips and tricks to ensure successful planting and maintenance.
First and foremost, it’s important to choose the right location for your ground covers.
Most shade-loving plants prefer moist, well-drained soil, so make sure to select an area with these conditions, unless the plant is listed as one that can take dry shade. Additionally, consider the amount of sunlight the area receives throughout the day to ensure it aligns with the specific needs of your chosen ground cover.
When it comes to planting, prepare the soil by removing any weeds or debris and loosening it with a garden fork or tiller. This will create a favourable environment for the roots to establish.
Next, dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of your ground cover and gently place it in, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole with soil, firming it gently around the plant. Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and provide moisture to the roots.
As for maintenance, regular watering is crucial, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot. Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weed growth. Pruning may be necessary to maintain the desired shape and size of your ground covers.
Trim back any overgrown or damaged foliage, and remove any dead flowers to encourage new growth.
Hopefully, these tips will help to create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden filled with the right ground covers in the right places putting the finishing touches on the woodland floor.