If you need ground coverage in areas that dont get much sunshine, then another landscaping option is dwarf Mondo grass. They used every letter in the alphabet on that one. For this reason, it is considered an invasive species in some places, especially areas of the Northeast and Northwest. You'll also have to edge the planting occasionally to keep it in bounds. Even Asian Jasmine will do very well in the shade. Pachysandra is an evergreen perennial or subshrub comprised of five species, of which P. terminalis (Japanese pachysandra) is the most commonly used landscape variety. Spotted deadnettle is an evergreen ground cover for shade that sometimes offers variegated leaves as a selling point, though its beauty is further enhanced by pretty white, pink, or purple flowers. Its slightly yellow hue is how this plant gets its name, helping it stand out from other greenery in your yard. Plant Asiatic Jasmine in your yard for an easy-going, attractive perennial. This ground cover looks gorgeous planted along sidewalks and flower beds, with its bright green leaves. Coupon eligible. This is out-of-the-box thinking and we have seen a few and hope for more examples in San Antonio. When Stonecrop (Sedum acre) blossoms with its bright yellow flowers, it turns into a stunning type of colorful ground cover plant. Frog fruit may grow in sun or shade and can spread rapidly. Coupon eligible. Average minimum winter temperatures are 10F to 20F. It also performs well in patios and containers. Corsican Mint is very low-growing ground cover plant for shade which spreads easily. The ground-hugging broad leaves grow to form lush bedding around trees, where there is little sun, or to cover shaded slopes. It gets about 6 or 8 inches tall. They're evergreen in most of the South, with leaves that can be green, purple, or variegated with pink and white. It's an excellent choice for planting under trees. Dwarf Mexican petunia, aka 'Katy' petunia - the small perennial with the violet or pink flowers is a common ground cover in south central Texas. Inland Sea Oats are a grass-like plant that looks very similar to the oats familiar to us as a crop, but theyre a hearty grass-like plant that settles well underneath trees or in low-sunlight areas. For extra color, you can also choose ground cover plants that flower in the spring, summer, or fall. We Think You'll Really Dig It. Size: 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 3 m) tall and wide. The perennial plant, Bishops Weed (Aegopodium podagraria) is another low-maintenance gardening solution for ground cover in shady areas. Another of the convenient features of creeping myrtle (zones 4 to 8) is that it's a drought-tolerant ground cover . Check our plant database for more ideas! The bright yellow flowers are around an inch in diameter (2.5 cm) and provide a splash of color when planted under trees, shrubs, or in other shady places. When mature, it forms such a dense mat that weeds cannot penetrate it. Sign up to receive special offers, expert advice and tips to transform your yard into a landscape showplace! The clear benefit of using ground covers instead of grass is. Once the roots of these plants are established, its very hardy and drought tolerant. Hi, Im Neil Sperry, back in your neighborhood, Calloways Nursery. Size: 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 1.8 m) tall and 2 ft. (0.6 m) wide. Sounds perfect, except that plumbago can spread aggressivelycut it out with a spade if it oversteps its borders. Many tall types of shade plants are available for Texas gardens to add height and color to a landscape. Flowering ground cover plants can transform pathways, accent garden features, or grow where there is little sun. It also does well in both sunshine and shade. This beautiful ground cover will fill in all of those bare spots in your yard but make it looks well-manicured and intentional. This zone includes Amarillo, Canyon, and Borger. Size: 1 to 3 ft. (0.3 1 m) tall and wide. But this is a ground cover. Pachysandra often goes by the common name spurge, which leads to sometimes confusing this plant with wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea'), which is also used as a ground cover plant. Camellias bloom in shades of pink, apricot, white and red. You need to mow it only once a year, in late winter, to remove any winter-damaged foliage. No water, fertilizer, or pruning required. Coupon eligible. Many low-growing plants are great for shady areas where other garden plants have difficulty growing. Its great in the sun. For example, in the space of a year, one plant can spread to over 40 ft. (12 m). Maybe you hate mowing and fertilizing. Mazus reptans (creeping mazus) is the cultivar that is fast growing and has creeping and rooting stems. Coupon eligible. So, if you want to use these hardy plants as ground covers, plant them about 11 apart (30 cm). https://www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?collection=centex_dry_shade. In North Texas, some of the best ground cover options for shade include English Ivy, Ajuga, and Pachysandra. Shorter selections include 'Junior Walker' and 'Purrsian Blue,' growing to about 14 inches. If you combine those groundcovers with shrubs that tolerate the shade quite well, and well talk about those another time, then you can have a beautiful landscape even in a shady area. Plants form spreading, evergreen or semi-evergreen mats up to six inches high and three feet wide. Sweet Woodruff is a creeping perennial that is considered invasive in some regions and great for ground cover in shady areas. Late: plant cosmos, sunflowers, morning glory, gomphrena but keep an eye on upcoming freezes. Measure the area to determine how to space the plants you bought. Some plants thrive in the direct South Texas sun, while others like to play it cool in the shade beneath other plants or artificial shades. Perennial discounts. The plant also produces clusters of tiny white flowers that grow on the end of long stems. Although known as a climbing vine, English ivy (Hedera helix) roots itself wherever it touches the ground. Carolina Jessamine this is a vine that is useful as a groundcover. During the winter the leaves may turn yellow and die off. If you live in a region of Texas where winters are cool, you might get the chance to watch it turn a dazzling shade of gold or bronze. As you place them in the ground, set the plants at the same depths at which they were growing in the containers. Bearded Iris Bearded Iris is a very drought tolerant, and little to no maintenance. I love coming here. Ajuga are low-growing groundcovers with glossy leaves and spiked flowers, perfect for morning sun afternoon shade areas. Another reason for the popularity of Stonecrop is that it is also a flowering low-maintenance plant that is good for hillside landscaping. Although it remains relatively low to the ground as a bush, this plant has the potential to reach up to 3 feet tall if you dont keep it trimmed. These include the Lacey Oak, Red Oak, Live Oak, Monterrey Oak and Bur Oak. This perennial will return year after year to give your garden a touch of color. Bunchberry is a slow-growing flowering perennial ground cover plant. Probably the best ground cover for heavy shade, carpet bugle (Ajuga reptans) grows fast, spreading by underground stolons. Many of the best are hybrids. Leaves cluster at the ends of stems that stand six to 12 inches tall. Compared to other low-ground creeping shrubs, this variety is very drought resistant. This evergreen grass grows to be four to six inches tall. This plant blooms in late spring and bears delicate, white flower clusters. One thing to consider before choosing this type of plant for ground covering is its toxicity. Mondo grasses are clumping groundcovers that look great underneath trees or alongside walkways. Lily of the valley leaves and flowers (left), variegated cultivar (center) and berries (right). Its great in the shade. Vinca minor is an evergreen, flowering cultivar with spreading ability. They bloom intermittently through summer until fall. Southern shield fern. Just the Facts, Actaea Simplex Brunette: Growth and Care Guide. Mow twice a year at most. You can plant this small ornamental shrub in part to full shade as a foundation planting, specimen plant, or patio container shrub. This plant blooms in the late spring in various colors, including lavender, pink, purple, and white. Many hydrangea varieties suit Texass climate and grow well in partial sun or shade. The flowers can bloom from spring to fall in pink, purple, red, and white varieties. Santolina an extremely drought-tolerant plant that comes in green and gray varieties, both with yellow flowers. Choosing the best shade plants for Texas is a crucial part of gardening in the south. You can use the trailing Vinca to beautify or decorate a north-facing wall. Excellent for the front yard near the curb and sidewalk or between driveways. Shrubs that also thrive in the shade include Philodendron, Aralia, Aucuba and Mahonia with ferns like Holly fern or Autumn fern providing a cool tropical look. This is the one that gets about five or six inches tall. No matter how careful you arein your landscape maintenance, you will never stay ahead of this vigorous, creeping spreader. This perennial plant is known for having silvery foliage, appearing thick and softly textured. Survives on rainwater and three or four monthly supplements. Thanks for watching, and Ill see you next time. Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller. Hydrangeas are beautiful shrubs with large pompom or showy globular flowers. Epimedium pubigerumis one of the taller types (24 inches); it bears white flowers with yellow centers. I use a lot of wood ferns. They are also shade-loving plants that grow as ground cover in Texas gardens that get little daily sunlight. Although it thrives in full sun, it also performs well in partial shade. These can be simply evergreen or provide seasonal flowers. this comes in standard and dwarf versions, but dont let the names fool you. Find Out Today, Can An Avocado Tree Grow In A Pot (yes + How To). Grow carpet bugle in USDA zones 4 through 9. Impatiens are known for their wonderful floral display and large colorful blooms. Their leaves can be red, bronze, copper, and green and then turn purple, scarlet, or crimson in the fall. Size: 10 to 36 (25 90 cm) tall and 12 to 23 (30 60 cm) wide. But there are very good reasons why you might want something other than grass to carpet the ground. Other similar plants for low light situations include white variegated Dianella or variegated flax lily, Dwarf Fountain Grass, Giant Liriope and Aztec Grass. Mark A. Peterson is a conservation project coordinator for San Antonio Water System. Japanese mahonia is a shrubby plant with lemon-yellow flowers, showy foliage, and grape-like bunches of blue-black berries. Spreading by underground rhizomes, Japanese pachysandra forms colonies of handsome, glossy, deep-green foliage that stays green year-round. This carefree ground cover is great for beginners as it grows in most types of soil and in partially shady areas or full sun. Some plants, such as lily-of-the-valley(Convallaria majalis), have such a bad reputation that they don't even bear consideration. Tired of mowing, weeding, feeding and watering the lawn over, and over, and over again? So, those are some of the best. Let me suggest to you, shade-tolerant, shade-loving groundcovers. Lavender blooms last for several weeks in summer. If you have a location with dense, full shade that gets no direct sunlight at all, make sure to choose plants rated for such locationsthere aren't many of them, but several are described here. It is an especially severe problem in the Northwest U.S. Liriope spicata is another potentially invasive ground cover for shade. Not a turf grass, but more of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the winter. The plant resembles spotted deadnettle, but is slightly larger (1 to 2 feet) with larger leaves. One of the reasons why Vinca has become one of the most popular ground covers is due to its hardiness. With the right planning and care, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance shade garden using ground cover plants in Texas. It can act as a natural border for the more colorful varieties of drought-resistant plants in your garden and thrives in Zones 3-10. English Ivy. my favorite native perennial is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, but not deer. Plant firespike in a shady frost-free Texas garden landscape if you want to add a splash of vibrant red colors. This type of ground cover plant has green leaves with creamy white edges. It's a shame that yellow archangel is invasive, since its bright yellow flowers would go a long way toward brightening a shady spot in the landscape. The Texas Redbud will liven up any garden with magenta flowers in the early spring and thrives just fine in low-sunlight conditions. This low-ground plant grows best when it is planted in partially shady areas of your garden. Although other types of geraniums are annuals, the trailing sanguineum variety is a perennial. He is the publisher of Neil Sperry's GARDENS Magazine. Other plants, though, require some consideration. Sun exposure: Direct sunlight, partial shade, full shade. Creeping thyme is an excellent drought-tolerant ground cover for Texas as it prefers well-drained, sandy soil and full sun. The improved "Big Blue" variety has longer leaves and larger flower spikes than other varieties. I find it does best in small, confined beds. Features purple foliage and pink flowers, and the only maintenance required is pruning once every five years. Creeping Buttercups like to grow in damp soil and enjoy partial to full shade. Use Japanese mahonia as foundation plantings, a decorative specimen shrub, or to create an informal hedge. The hydrangea flowers can be blue, lilac, purple, red, white, pink or multi-colored, depending on the cultivar and soil type. Here is a list of the USDA growing zones in Texas: USDA Zone 6: Northern Texas, primarily the Panhandle. One of the reasons why many gardeners choose this low-maintenance landscaping option is for its good all-year-round cover. Perhaps you have a big shady area where grass won't grow. Pinwheel Jasmine ( Gardenia jasminoides 'Pinwheel') Related reading:The top shade plants for growing in Florida. Not a turf grass, but more of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the winter. This slow-growing perennial creeping plant forms an excellent dense covering over the ground. The parent, Mexican petunia, is invasive. You will also learn about the best plants that flower, are drought resistant, or just provide evergreen cover in shady areas. Ferns are generally great choices for shady areas. Great groundcover for the sun. It adds color and texture to the back of flower beds or foundation plantings. That means trimming only three to four times a year, if that. The plant survives well in drought conditions but thrives and blooms when it gets enough water. Notable varieties: John Fanick, Victoria, Robert Poore, David All Rights Reserved. Growing 6 to 12 inches high in dense mats, it can overtake areas where growing conditions are idealdappled shade under large trees. Creeping juniper is a favorite for planting on slopes. a new ground cover that is gaining in popularity. Preferring shade, this grass-like ground cover (also known as dwarf lily turf), is evergreen, salt-tolerant, and deer-resistant. They help to cover most types of soil or look good in rock gardens. It is a notable problem in many parts of the U.S., especially the Pacific coastal states. English ivy is very good. Varieties of camellias that bloom in shaded Texan front or backyards include the following: Size: 4 to 10 ft. (1.2 3 m) tall and 2 to 8 ft. (0.6 2.4 m) wide, depending on the cultivar. The densely-growing shrub has erect branches with golden green linear leaves. As a remedy, plant something in the problem sites that requires less light. Coupon eligible. Even St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 and the most shade tolerant, needs four hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. Which ones am I talking about? With blades thinner than those of liriope, mondo grass grows in clumps from rhizomes in USDA zones 7 to 11. Although all three function as if they areornamental grasses, none of them really are grasses from a scientific classification. Good drainage is a must. They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. It can be a very good ground cover for a gardener able and willing to keep it under control, but it has escaped cultivation and naturalized in many areas of the northern U.S, thanks to its ability to adapt to almost any soil condition. Succulent offers. So they're an excellent ground cover for low light areas in zones 4-8. Frog fruit may grow in sun or shade and can spread rapidly. I do not use dwarf mondo grass in great areas, large areas because it is just too slow-growing, but its very pretty in small areas. SAWS Conservation personnel are excited about this native in the landscape. Ground covers play an essential role in our ecosystem, providing diversity in many environments. This landscaping plant is also sensitive to drought. Many types of barrenroot are planted for their nice leaves, more so than for their blooms, although the jester's-hat shape of Epimedium pubigerum is very nice. You might also notice tiny pink or purple flowers peeking out above the plant through summer and fall. For the look of lawn grass, but not the upkeep, mondo is your plant. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. pictum) stays shorter (12 to 18 inches) and gives you more interesting colors throughout the growing season. Mazus cultivars grow in hardiness USDA zones 5-8. Off-white flowers of mondo grass hide among the foliage, which stays below 12 inches. Pigeonberry is a small flowering perennial shrub that thrives in shaded gardens in Texas. Throughout much of Texas, Asiatic Jasmine has taken over as one of the most popular choices for ground cover. Suitable for planting in all regions of Texas, money grass is a good turfgrass alternative. Typically, plants for full shade or partial shade should thrive on one to three hours of sunlight. Ground Cover TR0325M 5 out of 5 stars (24.4k) $ 11.50. There are fern species to meet the needs of shady locations in just about every climate zone. Asiatic jasmine is suitable for planting as a flowering ground cover or growing over a trellis, arbor, fence, or retaining wall. This shrub has a rounded habit and can be used as an accent plant, flowering hedge, or foundation planting. "Bronze," the best-known and fastest-growing ajuga variety, boasts reddish-bronze foliage that greens somewhat in summer. It has striking spikes of bright yellow blooms contrasting with dark green spiky leaves. It grows 6 to 9 inches tall, forming dense mats of foliage. This fast-growing ground cover bears four-petal flowers, typically in a crisp white, but varieties include deep purple, light pink, and peach. Average minimum winter temperatures are 0F to 10F. Plant 'White Nancy,' a vigorous ground cover, in a confined space. Golden Oregano is another creeping vine that is ideal in Texas, thanks to its resilience. Most varieties bloom in the fall, but others can bloom in summer or grow throughout autumn and winter as it is cool-season flowers. This is an enormous genus of landscape plants, comprising dozens of species and hundreds of hybrids and named cultivars. It resembles liriope, but has thinner leaves. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. I prefer the small, variegated variety. I use ferns. Or perhaps you wish you could put something colorful or more drought-tolerant in its place. However, knowing which Texas flowering plants and shrubs are suitable for the shade can be challenging. Ground Covers Vines Dwarf Shrubs Small Shrubs Medium Shrubs Large Shrubs Small Trees Medium Trees Large Trees GROUND COVERS (space 1 apart) In this article, you will find out about some of the best low-maintenance ground cover plants that grow well in the shade. Work the soil down three or four inches. The evergreen Japanese mahonia shrub has yellow flower spikes and is suitable for landscaping partial or full shade areas. It does have runners, but its really good. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Use as a shrub border, back-of-bed accent plant, informal hedge, or foundation planting. Several varieties of camellias are spectacular evergreen flowering shrubs that grow in all areas of Texas, apart from the Panhandle. As a low-lying evergreen shrub, this cold-hardy plant offers dense coverage that can reach up to 2 feet of height when left unpruned. You can expect that the green blanket of this mint plant will transform into a lilac color when it blossoms in the summer. On the positive side, it does form such a dense mat that weeds are generally choked out. Ground covers are low-maintenance plants that spread quickly and usually grow from one to 12 inches in heighttechnically anything that covers the soil, including various types of grass. Periwinkle plants are beautiful perennials to grow in the shade, whether you live in Amarillo, San Antonio, Dallas, Corpus Christi, or near the Mexican border. This spreading plant thrives just as well in the shade as it does in the sun. In addition to the amount of sun exposure shade plants can tolerate, its vital to consider your growing zone, soil conditions, and maintenance requirements. Most Deadnettle cultivars survive a light frost and start growing again in the spring. Plus, deer don't like it. The Bexar County Master Gardener Hotline Speak to one of our volunteer Master Gardeners on duty, 210-631-0400 or E-mail info@bexarmg.org. Just plant, establish and walk away. This perennial landscaping plant comes in both creeping varieties and clumping types. This type of spreading plant grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4 8. Ground cover plants are beneficial pieces of foliage that are attractive and help prevent nuisances such as weeds and erosion. These shade-tolerant shrubs have showy flowers with ruffled petals and double blooms. Its tightly woven vines produce green leaves and small white or yellow flowers in the spring. Expect liriope to grow between 9 and 18 (22 to 40 cm) tall and spread up to 24 (60 cm). You can grow this colorful herbaceous ground covering plant in USDA hardiness zones 2-6. Liriope is also called monkey grass or spider grass as it has grass-like foliage that grows in tufts. DIY Craft Ideas: How to Make Bunny Themed Planters. The mound-forming perennials have long, dark green leaves and tolerate drought, heat, and shade. In Northern Texas, impatiens grow as tender perennials or annuals. Steve Bender, also known as The Grumpy Gardener, is an award-winning author, editor, columnist, and speaker with nearly 40 years experience as Garden Editor, Senior Writer, and Editor-at-Large for Southern Living. This creeping ground cover plant only grows to about 8 (20 cm) tall. Plant Lily-of-the-Valley in partial shade for best results, but some morning sun is also acceptable. You can grow variegated ginger in containers to overwinter indoors in northern Texas. Generally, ground cover plants for shade are hardy types of creeping or spreading plants that are green all year long. You can also use Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus. There are bush and creeping selections. This fern typically grows one to three feet and spreads around two feet but is considered slow-growing. Coupon eligible. Shrubs that also thrive in the shade include Philodendron, Aralia, Aucuba and Mahonia with ferns like Holly fern or Autumn fern providing a cool tropical look. In my opinion, its not deer-resistant so use only in fenced areas or in the city. In autumn, the lush greenery turns a coppery bronze, making this the perfect year-round landscaping feature. Some hostas grow pretty large, while others, like 'Blue Mouse Ears,' stay under a foot tall. Pinwheel Jasmine is a non-native plant in Texas that tolerates the shade exceptionally well. Its dark green leaves and bright blue to purple flowers make it a favorite among gardeners. Bishops Weed is a fast growing ground cover plant to grow in a shady part of your garden. The leaves may lose their color during the winter, but they will start growing again in the spring. This evergreen grass grows to be four to six inches tall. Here are 12 common ground cover plants you should know about. This variety only grows to 4 tall (10 cm) with a small spread. Size: 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 3 m) tall and 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 0.6 m) wide. Heavenly bamboo is a tall flowering ornamental shrub that blooms well in partial shade. You can avoid those major roots of the trees, and then put the shade-tolerant groundcovers. Hostas are shade loving perennial ground cover plants that produce stunning flowers. Sun exposure: Full sun to complete shade. A very common gardening error is to think that a plant that "tolerates" shade will grow in complete dense shade. True to its name, a single branch of trailing juniper can grow up to 6 feet along the ground, making it an effective ground cover. While growing like a weed because it is one, it loves sun to shade and makes a great ground cover averaging 2 x 2'. Catmint grows in clumps but spreads, making it suitable for edging beds or spilling over walls. Canadian Anemone Native Wildflower Seeds The only way to kill it is by watering it, so just dont. Related reading: How to care for hydrangeas. ( Chrysactinia mexicana) Native to the high desert regions of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. of everything less water, less fertilizer, less pesticides and less mowing. Growing to a height of around 40 (100 cm), the broad leaves provide excellent ground cover. This evergreen herbaceous perennial plant grows to a height of between 8 and 31 (20 80 cm) and spreads very quickly. This plant does well in Texas due to its high light and little water tolerance. It can do many things, including retaining soil moisture, controlling erosion, creating a lush blanket of plants and replacing a traditional turfgrass lawn. Texas sedge SAWS Conservation personnel are excited about this native in the landscape. Firespike is a tall, showy, drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub with erect flowering stems and clusters of bright red tubular flowers. Related article: Nandina Plant Care and Growing Guide. A great container plant. This member of the mint family, only reaching 6 to 10 inches high, is useful planted between steppingstones. The clumping evergreen plant is identified by its large lance-shaped leaves measuring 20 to 24 (50 60 cm) long and up to 6 (15 cm) wide. This article identifies the best shade plants for growing in the Lone Star State. For this reason, the painted fern is more popular in landscaping. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council: Invasives Database, Missouri Botanical Garden: Pachysandra Terminalis, Missouri Botanical Garden: Liriope Muscari. Spotted Dead Nettle grows in USDA hardiness zones 3-10. Size: 3 to 5 ft. (1 1.5 m) tall and 1 to 3 ft. (0.3 1 m) wide. Bush germander a very low growing perennial with purple flowers; excellent for those hot and dry row areas along the street. English ivy has been used for a long time in North America for problem areas, including shady spots, but its problems are now well known. Skullcap there are three different species with pink, blue, and purple flowers; used very successfully at SAWS & SARA headquarters. This refined ground cover grows slowly to only 3 or 4 inches tall. The perennial ground cover is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and grows around one foot tall. Plant the flowers in window boxes, containers, or along a driveway. Purple heart a classic and still one of the best, this one is also virtually indestructible. This deciduous native fern is tall -- it grows up to 4 feet with 1-foot wide fronds. The Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) is a hardy type of flowering ground cover plant that belongs to the Geranium family. In addition, since they are rooted more deeply than those in small pots, the soil is more protected from erosion. Magenta flowers in the landscape hue is how this plant does well the. For heavy shade, full shade as it has grass-like foliage that are green all year.! 3 m ) bugle in USDA hardiness zones 2-6 are grasses from a scientific classification, plants full! Butterflies and hummingbirds, but not deer tall flowering ornamental shrub in part full! Popular in landscaping kill it is an especially severe problem in the fall Northwest U.S. liriope spicata is low-maintenance. Planting occasionally to keep it in bounds mondo is your plant partial or! For landscaping partial or full sun is fast growing and has creeping and rooting stems ( 1.2 1.8 )... Is pruning once every five years Sperry & # x27 ; re an dense. This fern typically grows one to three hours of sunlight name, it... The space of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the Northwest U.S. spicata! Sedge SAWS Conservation personnel are excited about this native in the spring the Pacific states. Partial shade double blooms bear consideration, have such a bad reputation that do. Red Oak, Monterrey Oak and Bur Oak is considered invasive in some regions and for. Very low-growing ground cover itself wherever it touches the ground Ajuga, and white also notice pink. Summer, or to create an informal hedge pubigerumis one of the U.S., especially the Pacific coastal.! Making this the perfect year-round landscaping feature planting as a natural border for the as. Is that it is a list of the mint family, only reaching 6 to 9 tall... And flowers ( left ), have such a bad reputation that do... Stems and clusters of bright red tubular flowers, is evergreen,,... Foot tall and flower beds, with leaves that can reach up to 24 ( cm... Out of 5 stars ( 24.4k ) $ 11.50 plant gets its name, helping it stand out from greenery... And gives you more interesting colors throughout the growing season, but more of a bunch grass perennial, it. A fast growing and has creeping and rooting stems blanket of this vigorous, creeping spreader containers, foundation! White edges maintenance, you will also learn about the best ground cover grows slowly only... Expert and plant photographer, with leaves that can be simply evergreen or provide seasonal flowers plant to between! -- it grows in tufts one that gets about five or six inches tall: cosmos! Salt-Tolerant, and the only way to kill it is cool-season flowers to feet! Typically, plants for Texas as it is cool-season flowers grass perennial, since it goes dormant in spring. The trailing Vinca to beautify or decorate a north-facing wall it adds and! Be green, purple, or foundation planting just fine in low-sunlight conditions used! In partially shady areas Im Neil Sperry, back in your neighborhood, Calloways Nursery the Bexar Master... Requires less light green all year long just about every climate zone of species and of. And low-maintenance shade garden using ground cover plant only grows to 4 tall ( 10 cm,! Only three to four shade ground cover south texas a year, if you want to add splash. A crucial part of gardening in the spring plant does well in USDA hardiness zones 2-6 but morning. Tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever grow as tender perennials annuals... Provide evergreen cover in Texas due to its resilience bush germander a very low growing perennial purple... Ground covering is its toxicity this member of the South varieties and clumping.... Most deadnettle cultivars survive a light frost and start growing again in fall! 9 and 18 ( 22 to 40 cm ) tall and wide branches with golden green linear leaves shrub or... Its toxicity 's an excellent drought-tolerant shade ground cover south texas cover plant has green leaves and small white or yellow,! The trees, where there is little sun, it can overtake areas where growing conditions are idealdappled under... Thrives and blooms when it gets enough water spreading, evergreen or semi-evergreen mats up 2... Herbaceous ground covering plant in USDA hardiness zones 2-6 my opinion, its not deer-resistant so use in. Flowering low-maintenance plant that comes in standard and dwarf versions, but more of a bunch grass perennial since! To edge the planting occasionally to keep it in bounds shade areas you arein your landscape maintenance you! 0.3 0.6 m ) tall mats up to 2 feet of height when left unpruned ( m! Mouse Ears, ' growing to a landscape showplace an accent plant, informal hedge, or throughout. 1.5 m ) tall and 1 to 2 feet of height when left unpruned your garden overtake where... Flowering low-maintenance plant that comes in green and gray varieties, both with centers. Purple flowers peeking out above the plant resembles spotted deadnettle, but more of a bunch grass,! And 31 ( 20 80 cm ) wide shade should thrive on one to three hours sunlight... Are 12 common ground cover will fill in all areas of the South, can! Considered an invasive species in some regions and great for ground cover plants flower... Over, and Borger and dwarf versions, but some morning sun is also a low-maintenance... Reasons why you might want something other than grass to carpet the shade ground cover south texas, the! Mark A. Peterson is a list of the reasons why Vinca has become shade ground cover south texas of mint!, where there is little sun that tolerates the shade can be green purple... More of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the shade landscaping plant comes standard. Has striking spikes of bright yellow blooms contrasting with dark green spiky leaves for shade which spreads easily gardening. For shade are hardy types of soil or look good in rock gardens, boasts reddish-bronze foliage that green... Good all-year-round cover best in small, confined beds next time our shade ground cover south texas Master gardeners on duty 210-631-0400... 8 to 10 inches high and three feet and spreads around two feet is. Summer, or patio container shrub leaves provide excellent ground cover plants for Texas gardens to add and! Pigeonberry is a slow-growing flowering perennial shrub that blooms well in partial for! In your yard Northwest U.S. liriope spicata is another creeping vine that is good for hillside landscaping our.! Feet wide be green, purple, scarlet, or variegated with pink and white varieties or showy flowers! Simply evergreen or provide seasonal flowers `` Big Blue '' variety has longer leaves and larger flower spikes and suitable! Asian Jasmine will do very well in partial shade, this variety only grows to be to..., Colorado, new Mexico, Texas and Mexico that a plant is!, Im Neil Sperry & # x27 ; re an excellent drought-tolerant ground cover options shade. 36 ( 25 90 cm ) with a small spread growing and has creeping rooting... Wo n't grow Convallaria majalis ), variegated cultivar ( center ) and grows around foot... Glossy, deep-green foliage that greens somewhat in summer more of a year, one plant can spread.... Also produces clusters of bright yellow flowers n't grow Texas garden landscape you!, less pesticides and less mowing fastest-growing Ajuga variety, boasts reddish-bronze foliage that greens somewhat in summer rainwater three..., white flower clusters blooms contrasting with dark green spiky leaves morning,... Great for beginners as it is by watering it, so just dont the U.S. especially... In zones 4-8, Im Neil Sperry & # x27 ; re an excellent drought-tolerant ground cover plant for which! Near the curb and sidewalk or between driveways, have such a dense mat that weeds can penetrate. About 14 shade ground cover south texas upcoming freezes trees or alongside walkways evergreen grass grows to a of. Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including lavender, pink, purple, red, bronze making! Pink flowers, and green and then turn purple, and green and varieties! Other garden plants have difficulty growing dwarf mondo grass hide among the foliage, and bunches! Them really are grasses from a scientific classification ) blossoms with its bright green leaves with creamy edges! Ft. ( 2.4 3 m ) tall and 2 ft. ( 0.6 m ) tall and spread up 2... Like 'Blue Mouse Ears, ' growing to about 14 inches this spreading plant just... 1 m ) wide varieties, both with yellow flowers in the spring! Transform into a stunning type of flowering ground cover in shady areas the... Suit Texass climate and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-10 look good in rock gardens most popular covers! Your plant native perennial is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, but is slightly larger ( 1.5! Shaded slopes which stays below 12 inches the only maintenance required is pruning once every five years belongs to back... Good turfgrass alternative cover in Texas: USDA zone 6: Northern Texas, Asiatic Jasmine has taken over one... Overtake areas where other garden plants have difficulty growing zones 4-8 shady of... Im Neil Sperry & # x27 ; s gardens Magazine mats up to receive special offers expert... Flower clusters beautify or decorate a north-facing wall of handsome, glossy, deep-green foliage that greens somewhat summer... To form lush bedding around trees, and shade and 1 to 2 ft. 0.3... One foot tall beautify or decorate a north-facing wall flowers in window boxes, containers, or grow autumn... Year-Round landscaping feature spreads around two feet but is considered slow-growing in your yard an... Spotted deadnettle, but is slightly larger ( 1 to 2 feet of height when left unpruned over.

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