Complete Gardening
Transforming the shaded areas beneath your trees into a lush, green oasis can be a rewarding challenge. With the right selection of shade-loving groundcovers, you can bring life and color to those often-neglected spaces.
These plants not only thrive in low-light conditions but also add texture and beauty to your landscape. Here, we explore 13 exceptional groundcovers that are perfect for planting under trees.
1. Hosta
Hostas are your go-to choice for shady areas, offering lush foliage in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their broad leaves, ranging from deep green to variegated patterns, create a striking visual effect. In summer, they produce lavender or white flowers on tall stalks.
These perennials require minimal care, making them perfect for busy gardeners. While they thrive in shade, ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot.
Hostas are also excellent for filling large areas, providing a lush, green carpet that enhances any landscape.
2. Liriope
Commonly known as lilyturf, Liriope is a robust groundcover that flourishes even in dense shade. Its strap-like leaves form a dense clump, and in late summer, it produces showy purple flower spikes.
Liriope is highly versatile, ideal for borders or mass plantings. It’s also drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for busy gardeners.
This plant can handle foot traffic without damage, making it suitable for pathways under trees. With its year-round appeal, Liriope is a reliable choice for shady spots.
3. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff is a charming groundcover known for its delicate white flowers and fragrant leaves. In spring, it bursts into a sea of white blooms, adding a touch of elegance to shaded areas.
This plant is not only attractive but also practical, as it spreads easily to cover bare spots. Its leaves release a sweet aroma when crushed, adding an extra sensory dimension to your garden.
Sweet Woodruff prefers moist, well-drained soil and can serve as a lovely addition to any woodland garden setting.
4. Vinca Minor
Also known as periwinkle, Vinca Minor is a popular choice for shade due to its hardiness and low-growing habit. Its glossy leaves and periwinkle blue flowers create a charming carpet in shaded areas.
Vinca Minor is particularly useful for erosion control on slopes and banks. It’s easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established. Although it’s tolerant of a variety of soil types, it prefers well-drained conditions.
This evergreen groundcover provides year-round beauty and is excellent for filling tricky spots under trees.
5. Pachysandra
Pachysandra is an evergreen groundcover that thrives in deep shade, making it perfect for under trees. It features shiny green leaves and small white flowers that bloom in spring.
This plant creates a dense mat that suppresses weeds, making garden maintenance easier. Its low-growing habit is ideal for covering large areas with minimal effort. Pachysandra prefers well-drained soil and is tolerant of poor soil conditions.
For lush growth, keep the soil consistently moist. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a carefree, year-round groundcover.
6. Bugleweed
Bugleweed, or Ajuga, is a hardy groundcover that dazzles with its purple-blue flower spikes in spring. Its dark green leaves add depth and texture to shaded landscapes.
This plant is excellent for filling bare patches as it spreads quickly, creating a dense mat. Bugleweed is tolerant of a variety of soil types and requires little maintenance once established. It’s particularly effective in preventing soil erosion.
With its rapid growth and colorful blooms, bugleweed is a dynamic addition to any shady garden or woodland setting.
7. Japanese Painted Fern
The Japanese Painted Fern is a striking choice for shade, known for its silvery fronds with hints of purple. Its delicate appearance belies its toughness, as it thrives in low-light areas.
This fern adds a unique texture to the garden, contrasting beautifully with other green foliage. It’s perfect for woodland gardens, where its subtle colors can shine. Japanese Painted Ferns prefer consistently moist, well-drained soil.
They’re relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal intervention once established. For those seeking a touch of elegance in the shade, this fern is an ideal choice.
8. Deadnettle
Deadnettle, or Lamium, is a versatile groundcover known for its variegated leaves and charming pink flowers. It thrives in shady conditions, making it suitable for under trees.
This plant is easy to grow and requires minimal care, ideal for gardeners with limited time. Deadnettle’s colorful foliage brightens dark areas, adding visual interest. It spreads quickly, creating a lush, carpet-like effect.
While tolerant of various soil types, it prefers well-drained conditions. For those looking to add color and texture to shaded areas, Deadnettle is a perfect option.
9. Heuchera
Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is prized for its vibrant foliage that comes in shades of red, orange, and purple. It’s a standout in any shaded garden.
This perennial is not only attractive but also hardy, able to withstand varying conditions. Heuchera blooms with delicate flowers in spring, adding to its allure.
It prefers well-drained soil and benefits from occasional watering during dry spells. Ideal for borders or container planting, Heuchera brings a splash of color to shady spots. Its resilience makes it an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels.
10. Astilbe
Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial known for its feathery plumes of pink and red flowers. These blooms rise above fern-like foliage, creating a stunning display in shaded gardens.
Astilbe thrives in moist, well-drained soil and benefits from regular watering. It’s perfect for adding vertical interest and contrast to ground-level plantings.
This plant is relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional deadheading to encourage new growth. Astilbe is ideal for gardeners seeking a bold statement in shade. Its vibrant blooms and lush foliage make it a standout choice for any garden.
11. Ferns
Ferns are classic shade-loving plants, known for their lush, feathery fronds. They add a sense of movement and texture to any shaded area.
These plants thrive in moist, well-drained environments and are ideal for woodland gardens. Ferns are available in a range of sizes and shapes, allowing for versatile planting options.
They’re low-maintenance, needing little more than occasional watering to stay healthy. For gardeners looking to fill shaded spots with greenery, ferns are a timeless and elegant choice.
Their ability to thrive in low light makes them indispensable in shade gardening.
12. Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger is an excellent groundcover for shaded areas, featuring glossy, heart-shaped leaves that create a lush carpet. This plant is perfect for woodland gardens or naturalized settings.
In spring, wild ginger produces small, hidden flowers beneath its foliage. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and benefits from organic mulch to retain moisture. Wild ginger spreads slowly but steadily, making it a reliable choice for long-term planting.
For gardeners seeking an easy-to-maintain groundcover with unique appeal, Wild Ginger is an outstanding option that adds depth to any shady garden.
13. Hellebore
Hellebores, or Lenten roses, are beloved for their early bloom and nodding flowers in shades of cream, pink, and green. They bring color to shaded gardens when little else is blooming.
These perennials are hardy and long-lived, thriving in well-drained soil. Hellebores require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for busy gardeners. Plant them in groups for a stunning display.
Their evergreen foliage offers year-round interest, providing structure and beauty even in winter. For those who want a reliable and beautiful groundcover, hellebores are a perfect choice.