by Glory Lennon

Created on: May 14, 2009   Last Updated: May 20, 2009

Just because your garden is situated under so many trees the sun can barely peek through does not mean you have to tolerate a lifeless sort of landscape. All you need do is get shade tolerant plants, trees and shrubs. But what about ground covers? Are there any that can take all that shade and still look great? Did you really need to ask?

Snow-on-the-Mountain (Aegopodium podagraria).

This extremely vigorous spreading perennial also goes by the name Bishop's Weed and Gout Weed and it does indeed grow like a weed though it looks nothing like. It grows up to a foot tall with very attractive variegated leaves in pale green and creamy white. When in bloom it looks like, you guessed it, snowy ground cover, hence the common name. Does equally well in sun or shade and will take off like a rocket in fertile soil.

Christmas Fern (Polystichum Acrostichoides).

24-36 inches tall may sound high for a ground cover but these ferns are super hardy, ultra shade loving and so carefree you'll wonder how you ever got along without it. Spreads readily and looks amazing even during winter because it stays green.

Liriope ( Liriope Spicata).

For semi or full shade this grassy clumping plant stands up to 15 inches tall and bears spiky pink or lavender flowers. Likes rich, loam soil on the moist side.

Pachysandra ( Pachysandra.Terminalis).

An evergreen, compact perennial ground cover which stand 6 inches tall takes the deepest shade you can dish out and still looks great. Grows in any soil and thrives on neglect.

Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria Majalis).

Glossy foliage, standing 6-8 inches high with highly fragrant tiny bell shaped blossoms in either palest pink or creamy white. Full to part shade, very hardy and a vigorous grower. What more could you ask from a ground cover?

Ajuga Reptans.

The bronze and green foliage on this plant really stands out in the deepest shade but it does just as well in full sun. It grows so thick no weeds can get through its tightly packed foliage. Perfect for rock gardens and planting under trees and shrubs. Only four inches tall and come late spring or early summer blue flower spikes burst forth. Spreads fast and furious.

Bittersweet Vine.

Though a vine this likes to crawl around in part shade, too, forming a nice brilliantly colored ground cover when it bears bright orange and red berries just right for winter decorations.

Periwinkle.

Evergreen foliage, bright green or variegated, isn't all this vigorous growing plant has to offer. In spring it comes alive with hundreds of small blue-lavender blossoms. About 6 inches high and quick to spread. This ground cover is perfect for the sloping hillside where nothing else can grow.

And you thought there was nothing you could grow in your shady yard. These shade tolerant perennial ground covers will get you a landscape fit for a shade loving king.

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