by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: May 18, 2009   Last Updated: June 03, 2009

Ground covers are very useful for shady areas, especially when there is an abundance of trees that are the source of that shade. The ground covers can be beneficial for several reasons: they keep weeds down, and they can help keep the soil moister for longer. Ground covers can eliminate the need for heavy maintenance.

Here are some ideas that one might consider when looking for ground covers that are ideally suited to shade.

HOSTA (PLANTAIN LILY)

Although hostas are not typically thought of as ground cover material, the shorter varieties grow in a sprawling manner, and because of that, they do provide ample ground cover. Other varieties are also suited to use as ground covers, even if they are slightly taller. The varieties that have especially large leaves provide ground protection by virtue of the umbrella like cover that they create over the ground.

Hostas in general are great for shady areas. They are most often seen in shady perennial borders, or used as edging plants of for accents. Some hosta varieties have large leaves that can provide a covering that will protect the soil. Other varieties have smaller leaves and they are low growers that tend to spread. As they spread, they provide a natural ground cover, and the foliage of hosta plants can be very interesting.

The foliage on hosta plants can be deep green, yellow green, blue green, gray green, or the foliage can be variegated so that the leaves are edged with white or cream. Plants will vary in height from 3 to 4 inches to 24 inches. The flowers provide for even more interest, especially when one wasn't expecting to see flowers in so much shade.

FERNS -

Japanese painted ferns are very low growers. The burgundy and gray green colored foliage provides a lot of interest, and the shape of the leaves gives the landscape a kind of textural feeling. Ferns are not difficult to grow, and they also spread, so even if plants are planted somewhat far from one another, the empty spaces will fill in within one or two growing seasons.

Other types of ferns can also be used as ground covers. Ferns are wide spreaders, and because of the ease with which they spread, they can easily cover large expanses of ground. They are ideal for shady conditions, and the foliage will offer an interesting contrast to other things that may be planted around them. Ferns will grow quite easily under or in the vicinity of trees.

PACHYSANDRA -

Pachysandra is one of the most widely used ground covers for shaded areas. The plants typically

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