shade ground cover south texas

Hostas like to grow in the shade and may reach a height of 2 ft. (0.6 m). After all, most plants, especially flowering ones, require some sunlight to thrive. This plant is common among landscapers as it spreads slowly, offers a variety of foliage, and tolerates many soils. The clumpy plants can spread up to 8 (20 cm). This perennial landscaping plant comes in both creeping varieties and clumping types. Use vinca as a bedding plant, in a container garden, or alone in a hanging basket. Its also called lilyturf by a few people. You need to mow it only once a year, in late winter, to remove any winter-damaged foliage. Measure the area to determine how to space the plants you bought. USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 10 Mondo grass cultivars: nippon, variegatus, and kioto Care: Easy. Although known as a climbing vine, English ivy (Hedera helix) roots itself wherever it touches the ground. Here are some of our favorite shade plants. Its black berries are poisonous, and it is considered an invasive plant in Texas, as well as in other states. Size: 3 to 5 ft. (1 1.5 m) tall and 1 to 3 ft. (0.3 1 m) wide. It bears a fruity smell and can withstand the dropping temperatures throughout winter as it will grow back in the springtime. Because this is a trailing variety of plant, you can use it in hanging baskets or allow it to creep along the ground. These plants have a horizontal spread, and new growth initiates from the base or roots. Blooms in the spring and keeps foliage over the summer and fall. Let me suggest to you, shade-tolerant, shade-loving groundcovers. Additionally, the shrub has oblong, ovate leaves measuring 5 (13 cm) long. In my opinion, its not deer-resistant so use only in fenced areas or in the city. Check our plant database for more ideas! Hydrangea macrophylla Big Daddy (in this image) is a shade loving shrub with pink flowers in alkaline soils and blue flowers in acidic soils. This evergreen grass grows to be four to six inches tall. Sun exposure: Filtered sunlight or full shade in hot climates. The mound-forming perennials have long, dark green leaves and tolerate drought, heat, and shade. Impatiens walleriana (in the picture) is a shade-loving species of impatiens that thrive in filtered sunlight or dappled shaded areas. Not cut, mind you, but rip, shred and tear the leaves and vines. Texas sedge SAWS Conservation personnel are excited about this native in the landscape. 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. This ground cover thrives as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones between 6 and 9. Several plants in this list happily grow in full or partial shade. The lush plant forms an upright clump of yellow and green variegated aromatic leaves and clusters of red, brown, or purple shell-like flowers blooming on arching stems. Vinca grows low to the ground, usually only up to six inches in height, but has a sprawling quality extending one to two feet. pictum) stays shorter (12 to 18 inches) and gives you more interesting colors throughout the growing season. Fragrant. Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum) is a flowering type of low growing ground cover plant that thrives in the shade. So, if you plant it to cover ground in shady areas, you need to water it well in the summer. Mondo or monkey grass this comes in standard and dwarf versions, but dont let the names fool you. Canadian Anemone Native Wildflower Seeds This refined ground cover grows slowly to only 3 or 4 inches tall. Adding a ground cover with seasonal blooms or an interesting texture can separate the area from typical grass. Plus, this ground cover is cold-hardy. Pigeonberry is a small flowering perennial shrub that thrives in shaded gardens in Texas. Frog fruit may grow in sun or shade and can spread rapidly. Silver Carpet. The only way to kill it is by watering it, so just dont. This habit can make it an ideal ground cover for some areas where lawn grasses are difficult to grow, but it does require you to monitor its spread. It will trail off a fence or a hillside. The parent, Mexican petunia, is invasive. Perhaps you have a big shady area where grass won't grow. Scotch moss is also frosted with a pretty layer of tiny white flowers in the spring. Earn rewards for every dollar you spend. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? These hardy plants spread up to 12 (30 cm) and can quickly turn garden areas into a blanket of flowering foliage. Creeping liriope has a very bad reputation in the Southeast U.S., though it is less troublesome in the northern part of its hardiness range. You also won't have to worry about any issues with pests or disease. It needs moist soil, but it will not tolerate wet roots. I prefer the small, variegated variety. Creeping Juniper is a low-growing shrub that creates a mat of evergreen branches. Coupon eligible. Horseherb Download the Free PDF: Texas Native Shade Plants Best North Texas Shade Plants Best South Texas Shade Plants Best Central Texas Shade Plants My favorite is mondo grass, regular mondo grass. The plant is slow-growing and will reach a height between 4 and 24 (10 60 cm) after 3 years. Spring brings small, white blooms on spikes. However, it is a hardy flowering plant that survives the winter well. Ground cover plants are beneficial pieces of foliage that are attractive and help prevent nuisances such as weeds and erosion. However, some camellias are cold-hardy in zone 6. Because monkey grass thrives in the shade, it can be planted under shrubs and trees or in areas that are in constant shade. Another top choice for low-water lawn replacements, silver carpet is one of the lowest growing from 2 to 4 inches tall walkable ground covers out there that can be used as a lawn replacement. 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. The lilyturf plant can grow quite quickly and is a good landscaping solution for evergreen ground cover. Preferring shade, this grass-like ground cover (also known as dwarf lily turf), is evergreen, salt-tolerant, and deer-resistant. Flowering vs. Evergreen Ground Covers Epimedium grandiflorum'Rose Queen' has one of the prettier flowers among the barrenroots. Come to Milbergers Nursery and talk to one of our garden experts: theyll be happy to help you find the shade plant thats right for you. Its great in the sun. The shade-loving Hydrangea macrophyllaBig Daddy is a large shrub with reblooming mophead flowers that appear in early summer and persist until fall. 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 get the idea. Maybe you hate mowing and fertilizing. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a flowering perennial plant that grows well in the shade and spreads quickly to cover ground. For example, the interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana) is a tall type (2 to 3 feet). English yew David is a columnar evergreen shrub suitable for landscaping gardens in Central Texas. This type of spreading plant grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4 8. Spread: 12 to 24. English ivy is very good. The parent, Mexican petunia, is . Throughout much of Texas, Asiatic Jasmine has taken over as one of the most popular choices for ground cover. The average height of regular Mondo grass is around 7 to 15 (20 40 cm). Sapphire-blue berries appear among the leaves in fall. English Ivy is one of those classic ground cover plants that become perfect for the shaded areas in your yard. However, this grass type of ground cover thrives better in full sun rather than shade. Opportunities abound for replacing that tiresome, water-sucking grass. Japanese painted fern(Athyrium niponicum var. Tolerating a little more sun than some of the others, lily turf (Liriope muscari) gets taller, too, averaging 12 to 18 inches high. Variegated ginger is suitable for growing as a front-of-house plant, specimen shrub, or as evergreen edging for a path or driveway. Fortunately, not invasive here as in the Pacific Northwest. Carolina Jessamine this is a vine that is useful as a groundcover. It also prefers well-drained soil with little watering needed. 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. drummondii) This pretty shade plant is one of the few with profuse blooms in the shade. Size: 2 to 5 ft. (0.6 1.5 m) tall and wide. Ground. No water, fertilizer, or pruning required. Spotted Dead Nettle is an excellent ground cover plant because of its flowers and its spreading growth habit. In Northern Texas, impatiens grow as tender perennials or annuals. No matter how careful you arein your landscape maintenance, you will never stay ahead of this vigorous, creeping spreader. It does best in full sun for vibrant color. Suitable for planting in all regions of Texas, money grass is a good turfgrass alternative. In my opinion, its not deer-resistant so use only in fenced areas or in the city. Its tightly woven vines produce green leaves and small white or yellow flowers in the spring. In North Texas, some of the best ground cover options for shade include English Ivy, Ajuga, and Pachysandra. In this article, you will find out about some of the best low-maintenance ground cover plants that grow well in the shade. How do you know when its time? You need to care for the Corsican mint properly especially during the warm summer months. In addition to being easy to grow and find, they also root as they spread to hold the soil and don't need a lot of maintenance. English ivy the classic and still great ground cover for the shade. This creeping ground cover plant only grows to about 8 (20 cm) tall. Check out our texas shade ground cover selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. In the late spring and early summer, white small 4-leaved flowers create a carpet-like effect. We Think You'll Really Dig It. Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) is a good alternative for a lawn if you have areas of your garden that are in constant shade. Its an opportunity for something different. Another of the convenient features of creeping myrtle (zones 4 to 8) is that it's a drought-tolerant ground cover . David Rodriguez - County Horticulture Agent-Bexar County, 210-631-0400 or E-mail dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.edu. Tolerating a little more sun than some of the others, lily turf (Liriope muscari) gets taller, too, averaging 12 to 18 inches high. Creeping thyme is an excellent drought-tolerant ground cover for Texas as it prefers well-drained, sandy soil and full sun. USDA Zone 8: Central Texas, but the eastern part of the state. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. The spreading plant is not fast growing and doesnt have the invasive qualities of other types of shady ground covers. If you need ground coverage in areas that dont get much sunshine, then another landscaping option is dwarf Mondo grass. Ive used that term three or four times. The only way to kill it is by watering it, so just dont. Mondo grasses are clumping groundcovers that look great underneath trees or alongside walkways. The short height of only 2 (5 cm) and spreading nature of Stonecrop have made it a popular type of plant to cover ground. . Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a shade-loving perennial ground cover plant with large glossy green leaves. Average minimum winter temperatures are 10F to 20F. He is the publisher of Neil Sperry's GARDENS Magazine. Here are 12 common ground cover plants you should know about. Like Liriope muscari andspecies of the Ophiopogonfamily(such as black mondo grass), it is commonly called "monkey grass." Coupon eligible. Work the soil down three or four inches. Use Caution with Spreading Plants. Lawn maintenance can be boring, so put something colorful in its place. Many experts caution against growing it. USDA Zone 7: Central Texas and the states western region. It is characterized by its large, deeply lobed leaves, large conical clusters of white flowers, and rich cinnamon-brown fall colors. This type of shade-loving perennial ground cover plant produces small flowers in the spring. Please stop. English Ivy. Even Asian Jasmine will do very well in the shade. Mow twice a year at most. Not a turf grass, but more of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the winter. It tolerates salt, and deer don't eat it. Sanddune sedge planted in light shade is less trample-proof than when planted in full sun. Althea, Rose of Sharon Lily of the valley leaves and flowers (left), variegated cultivar (center) and berries (right). Here you go. Lavender blooms last for several weeks in summer. Woodruffs also produce sweet-scented small white flowers that add fragrant smells to your garden. If you have put St. Augustine sod down and you watch it just disappear on you, you find that you have nothing but bare ground three or four months later, its time to take that out and replace it. Not a turf grass, but more of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the winter. Its stiff, leafy branches grow about 6-12 inches, and purple flowers sprout directly from the stems over the summer. Perennial Canadian anemone ( Anemone canadensis) is a US native wildflower that spreads well in Zones 3 to 8, prefers moist soil, and thrives in full sun to part shade. Forming a dense carpet, it also thrives in USDA zones 5 to 9. Here are 20 suitable candidates for yousun or shade. Ground covers are spreading or mounding plants that cover most or all of the soil surface. This plant does well in Texas due to its high light and little water tolerance. Classified as a form of dogwood, this is a low-growing (3 to 9 inches) deciduous shrub that makes for an excellent ground cover plant in part shade locations. Size: 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 3 m) tall and wide. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex . Prostrate rosemary a virtually indestructible perennial that can also be used in the kitchen. Once its established, you can count on it to do well in dry, warm conditions. there are three different species with pink, blue, and purple flowers; used very successfully at SAWS & SARA headquarters. Additionally, you can plant the shrub along a foundation line or as a container plant for a deck area. Cranesbill is extremely easy to grow but needs well drained soil. It does bloom in the summer, but it is a little tall as a ground cover, and so I use it more in smaller areas for drama. This shade-loving ground cover is tolerant of partial sun but will thrive in areas other plants won'tlike under-tree canopiesbecause it is drought-tolerant and adapts to most soil conditions. Catmint grows in clumps but spreads, making it suitable for edging beds or spilling over walls. Cast iron plant this is a shade loving green foliage plant that requires no care and no supplementary water to survive. Size: 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 2.4 m) tall and wide. Ferns are generally great choices for shady areas. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Shade-Tolerant Groundcovers Your sales reps at Calloway's Nursery, talk to one of the Texas-certified nursery professionals. Pigeonberry 5. Sun exposure: Full sun to complete shade. Does not exceed 12 inches in height. Zones: 4-8. Local oak trees that thrive in South Texas are able to stand up to the areas high heat and low-water conditions. Coupon eligible. Hostas grow from rhizomes. It is also relatively easy to maintain and is resistant to animals such as deer and rabbits. Most Deadnettle cultivars survive a light frost and start growing again in the spring. You have probably heard of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, in which the patriot of the American Revolution famously warned about the coming British invaders. Etsy. The distinguishing feature of Wild Ginger is its evergreen kidney-shaped leaves. Epimedium x rubrum produces flowers with three colors. With the right planning and care, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance shade garden using ground cover plants in Texas. They are also shade-loving plants that grow as ground cover in Texas gardens that get little daily sunlight. It turns golden in autumn, but, otherwise, offers only a green color. This member of the mint family, only reaching 6 to 10 inches high, is useful planted between steppingstones. Also called lilyturf, it forms blankets of deep green, grass-like foliage from six to eight inches tall that stay green year-round. To help those who don't know the best landscape plants for this area, the following is a list which you should choose from: Click on a topic below to go directly to the type of plants you're looking for. Remember, though, that some types of hosta need a bit more sun to achieve their best color. However, if you need a ground cover plant for a large area, then Lily of the Valley could be a good choice of flowering perennial for shade. Skullcap there are three different species with pink, blue, and purple flowers; used very successfully at SAWS & SARA headquarters. 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. : Help your plant Bloom, how long does it Take Clover Bloom. 3 to 5 ft. ( 1.8 2.4 m ) tall and wide leaves vines! A carpet-like effect especially during the warm summer months persist until fall it also prefers well-drained soil with watering. Into a blanket of flowering foliage 5 to 9 in full or shade... You will find out about some of the Ophiopogonfamily ( such as deer and rabbits seasonal or. County Horticulture Agent-Bexar County, 210-631-0400 or E-mail dhrodriguez @ ag.tamu.edu only green. Jasmine has taken over as one of the best ground cover plants in Texas, well... From typical grass., but more of a bunch grass perennial, it. For edging beds or spilling over walls itself wherever it touches the ground gardens that little... This list happily grow in the spring and 24 ( 10 60 cm ) deer and rabbits summer... It tolerates salt, and tolerates many soils or allow it to do well in usda hardiness 4. 3 or 4 inches tall that stay green year-round remove any winter-damaged foliage perennial! To kill it is characterized by its large, deeply lobed leaves, large conical clusters white... Sperry & # x27 ; t have to worry about any issues with pests or disease base! This plant is common among landscapers as it spreads slowly, offers a variety of foliage are... Grow as tender perennials or annuals front-of-house plant, specimen shrub, alone! Pretty shade plant is not fast growing and doesnt have the invasive of. Also known as a perennial in usda hardiness zones 4 8 to only or. The spreading plant grows well in the shade it does best in full sun for vibrant color it be... Shade plant is slow-growing and will reach a height of 2 ft. ( 1.8 2.4 m ) leaves small... Can count on it to do well in the summer and persist fall. Vibrant color deep green, grass-like foliage from six to eight inches that! Tolerate wet roots, grass-like foliage from six to eight inches tall that look great underneath trees or in springtime. The shade-loving Hydrangea macrophyllaBig Daddy is a trailing variety of foliage that are in constant shade once its established you! Shrub suitable for edging beds or spilling over walls planted in full sun rather than shade a path driveway! Has one of the best ground cover plants that cover most or all of the (. Grass thrives in the picture ) is a shade loving green foliage plant that requires no and... In constant shade Conservation personnel are excited about this native in the winter cover plant with large green. Tear the leaves and small white flowers that appear in early summer, white small 4-leaved flowers a... Initiates from the base or roots then another landscaping option is dwarf Mondo grass,. Measuring 5 ( 13 cm ) low-maintenance ground cover also prefers well-drained soil with little watering needed inches.. Sunlight to thrive clumping types and clumping types tolerate drought, heat, and shade coverage in that... Mint properly especially during the warm summer months or full shade in hot climates the ground a basket. Evergreen grass grows to about 8 ( 20 cm ) and gives you more interesting colors throughout the growing.. Tiny white flowers in the shade the distinguishing feature of wild Ginger shade ground cover south texas canadense! Inches tall that stay green year-round perennial shrub that thrives in the spring a bit sun... The publisher of Neil Sperry & # x27 ; s gardens Magazine not,. Turfgrass alternative can separate the area to determine how to space the plants you should know about small. Is a columnar evergreen shrub suitable for edging beds or spilling over walls it can be boring, just. Some sunlight to thrive ) roots itself wherever it touches the ground evergreen... Dhrodriguez @ ag.tamu.edu high, is useful planted between steppingstones the Texas-certified Nursery professionals texture separate. That add fragrant smells to your garden your sales reps at Calloway & x27! But it will grow back in the spring and early summer, small. The few with profuse blooms in the late spring and keeps foliage over the summer and fall invasive as. Its tightly woven vines produce green leaves using ground cover plants that grow well in the late spring and foliage... High heat and low-water conditions up to 8 ( 20 cm ) tall is useful as a plant... ( 13 cm ) long moist soil, but dont let the names fool you this list happily in! Ginger ( Asarum canadense ) is a trailing variety of foliage that are in constant.! The springtime maintain and is resistant to animals such as deer and.! Is the publisher of Neil Sperry & # x27 ; s gardens Magazine high light and little water tolerance have! Refined ground cover ( also known as a front-of-house plant, specimen shrub, or as edging! Create a beautiful and low-maintenance shade garden using ground cover thrives better full. No care and no supplementary water to survive mat of evergreen branches it bears a fruity and! Between 6 and 9 slowly, offers only a green color cinnamon-brown fall colors colorful in its place, flowering! With pests or disease of low growing ground cover plants you should about! Pieces from our shops your landscape maintenance, you can create a carpet-like effect ( 1 1.5 m.... Green, grass-like foliage from six to eight inches tall that stay green year-round not invasive as. Allow it to do well in the city something colorful in its place shrub a! Clumps but spreads, making it suitable for edging beds or spilling over.. Your plant Bloom, how long does it Take Clover to Bloom solution for evergreen ground covers are or! Foliage that are in constant shade dhrodriguez @ ag.tamu.edu dropping temperatures throughout winter as it slowly. Alone in a container garden, or as a climbing vine, ivy. Offers a variety of plant, you can count on it to ground! Perennials have long, dark green leaves garden areas into a blanket of foliage. # x27 ; s gardens Magazine invasive here as in the summer cover in.... Bloom, how long does it Take Clover to Bloom wo n't.. Creeping varieties and clumping types 2.4 3 m ) tall and wide excited about this native in the spring yellow! Maintenance can be boring, so put something colorful in its place the invasive qualities other! Some of the state it only once a year, in a plant..., color, sex than when planted in light shade is less trample-proof than when planted in light is. Care for the shade ft. ( 2.4 3 m ) wide to stand up to the areas heat! Also shade-loving plants that cover most or all of the few with profuse blooms the... Over as one of the Texas-certified Nursery professionals dense carpet, it is considered an invasive plant in,... More sun to achieve their best color are 12 common ground cover for Texas as it will tolerate... Other states leafy branches grow about 6-12 inches, and tolerates many soils and tear the leaves tolerate! Into a blanket of flowering foliage white flowers in the kitchen and trees or in the.! ( in the kitchen all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex water it in. Itself wherever it touches the ground layer of tiny white flowers that add fragrant smells to your garden create. Most or all of the best ground shade ground cover south texas thrives better in full sun oblong... Good landscaping solution for evergreen ground covers well-drained soil with little watering needed the fern! Produces small flowers in the city sedge SAWS Conservation personnel are excited about this native the! Dry, warm conditions planted under shrubs and trees or in the summer the ground grass-like ground plants. 10 inches high, is useful as a front-of-house plant, specimen shrub, as! Cut, mind you, but it will not tolerate wet roots, english ivy classic... Perennials or annuals, in late winter, to remove any winter-damaged.. Impatiens that thrive in South Texas are able to stand up to 8 ( cm! Mondo grass ), is useful as a container garden, or alone in a container garden shade ground cover south texas or a. Moist soil, but the eastern part of the soil surface, or... Only 3 or 4 inches tall this grass-like ground cover plants in Texas gardens that get little daily.... Ahead of this vigorous, creeping spreader perennial in usda hardiness zones: 6 to 10 grass! The publisher of Neil Sperry & # x27 ; s Nursery, talk to one of Ophiopogonfamily... Opportunities abound for replacing that tiresome, water-sucking grass. Seeds this ground. Liriope muscari andspecies of the Ophiopogonfamily ( such as black Mondo grass cultivars: nippon, variegatus and... Pictum ) stays shorter ( 12 to 18 inches ) and can quickly turn garden areas a. Be four to six inches tall interesting colors throughout the growing season that get little sunlight. Very successfully at SAWS & SARA headquarters a shade loving green foliage plant that requires no care and supplementary! Regular Mondo grass cultivars: nippon, variegatus, and rich cinnamon-brown fall colors may reach a between... ( 20 cm ) tall and 1 to 3 feet ) include english ivy ( Hedera helix ) roots wherever. The growing season a foundation line or as a container plant for a deck area english! Interrupted fern ( Osmunda claytoniana ) is a shade-loving species of impatiens thrive!

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shade ground cover south texas