Size: 6 to 10 ft. (1.8 3 m) tall and 5 to 9 ft. (1.5 2.7 m) wide. Although this fast-spreading plant thrives best in shady areas and woodlands, many gardeners consider it too invasive to plant in the garden. This perennial will return year after year to give your garden a touch of color. Clumps of wild ginger grow to between 4 and 6 (10 15 cm) and spread about one foot (30 cm). Impatiens are ground-hugging plants that thrive in the shade throughout all areas of Texas. No water, fertilizer, or pruning required. my all-time favorite shade perennial that can be used as a ground cover. Epimedium versicolor is a semi-evergreen perennial cultivar (evergreen in mild winter climates). Wild ginger is a perennial plant that can be evergreen or semi-evergreen (deciduous in colder climates). Size: 6 to 24 (15 60 cm) tall and 12 to 18 (30 45 cm) wide. Select one of the plants listed here for an addition that will last for years to come. This refined ground cover grows slowly to only 3 or 4 inches tall. For example, in the space of a year, one plant can spread to over 40 ft. (12 m). If you happen to live in the area and are interested in planting some ground cover, its wise to research which species will thrive. Turks Cap and Fire Spike are prolific red flowering perennials that survive just fine under the shade of trees or under your covered patio. Most are specific to sun or shade, but some are adaptable to both extremes. Sapphire-blue berries appear among the leaves in fall. Its gray-green fronds arepainted with asilvery overcoat,studded with maroon veining. Frostweed 6. In agriculture, ground coverings have the extra function of protecting your property from erosion and can even prevent weed growth. Additionally, the shrub has oblong, ovate leaves measuring 5 (13 cm) long. ( Chrysactinia mexicana) Native to the high desert regions of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. The plant has drawbacks, though. Besides reporting and editing for several small Texas newspapers, Simpson has written for "Petroleum Engineer Magazine," "Denton Today Magazine" and put out an employee newsletter for a FEMA facility. There are a number of different varieties of ground cover Hosta plants that grow just as well in the shade as in the sun. This is not a good drought-resistant plant as it needs moist, well-drained soil to thrive. The Best Liquid Lawn Fertilizers (Professional Review and Guide), Types of Orange Mushrooms (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, 14 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Types of Weeds With Their Picture and Name - Identification Guide, The Best Ground Cover Plants for Shade (Including Pictures) Identification Guide, ground cover plant for shade with purple flowers, good choice of flowering perennial for shade, 17 Ground Cover Plants for Full Sun, Including Pictures, 15 Small or Dwarf Evergreen Trees For Your Garden, Fast Growing Ground Cover Plants (With Pictures). Cut them back by half after flowering. Gardeners who plant it for its attractive shiny dark-green or bronze leaves often come to regret the decision, as it can quickly spread into turf grass or onto neighboring properties. Its one of the most common questions Im asked. These are just few examples of ground covers. Like carpet bugleweed, Japanese pachysandra prefers fertile, well-drained soil. I prefer the small, variegated variety. in journalism and an M.A.in English, both from the University of North Texas. However, all of the following plants make excellent choices for your landscape. Yellow star-shaped flowers appear on the bedding plant around the end of springtime. Impatiens walleriana (in the picture) is a shade-loving species of impatiens that thrive in filtered sunlight or dappled shaded areas. Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade, or full shade. Include this soft and fuzzy perennial ground cover, a must-have for texture. Excellent for the front yard near the curb and sidewalk or between driveways. He is the publisher of Neil Sperry's GARDENS Magazine. Turks cap is a native Texas shade plant that thrives in the central and southern regions of the state. Cedar Sage 9. When not expounding on the benefits of trees and limited lawns, youre likely to find him hiking San Antonios wilderness parks or expounding on the virtues of geography and history to his friends. Due to this, it should not be planted in areas of occasional foot traffic. Considered an invasive plant in some regions, Sweet Alyssum will coat your landscape with beautiful, honey-smelling flowers. As you place them in the ground, set the plants at the same depths at which they were growing in the containers. Spotted Dead Nettle grows in USDA hardiness zones 3-10. But this is a ground cover. Cities in this zone include Corpus Christi, McAllen, and Laredo. 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. 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. Its a plant with four names: monkey grass, Ophiopogon. The clumps become larger and spread until they can be divided into smaller plants. Plant 'White Nancy,' a vigorous ground cover, in a confined space. Late: plant cosmos, sunflowers, morning glory, gomphrena but keep an eye on upcoming freezes. The creeping ground cover grows to a height of 19 (50 cm) with broad leaves growing on the stems. Maidenhair ferns grow in places where typical plants are not found, including in-between rocks, making it great for a spreading ground cover. It bears a fruity smell and can withstand the dropping temperatures throughout winter as it will grow back in the springtime. 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. 6. Mow it once a year with a lawn mower. This plant is considered slightly invasive in portions of the Northeast and Northwest U.S., but most gardeners will have no major problems with it. This carefree ground cover is great for beginners as it grows in most types of soil and in partially shady areas or full sun. Camellias bloom in shades of pink, apricot, white and red. Compared to other low-ground creeping shrubs, this variety is very drought resistant. Remember, though, that some types of hosta need a bit more sun to achieve their best color. This West Coast native is . This fast-growing ground cover bears four-petal flowers, typically in a crisp white, but varieties include deep purple, light pink, and peach. You need to care for the Corsican mint properly especially during the warm summer months. Preferring shade, this grass-like ground cover (also known as dwarf lily turf), is evergreen, salt-tolerant, and deer-resistant. Not only is English Ivy low maintenance, but it also is not too invasive when planted in Texas. This mounding perennial has large scallop-edged leaves and yellow-green flowers appearing in late spring or early summer. Or perhaps you wish you could put something colorful or more drought-tolerant in its place. 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. Vinca (Vinca minor) is an excellent evergreen flowering ground cover plant because it covers the ground with dense foliage and a few flowers in the spring. Ive used that term three or four times. The only way to kill it is by watering it, so just dont. The short height of only 2 (5 cm) and spreading nature of Stonecrop have made it a popular type of plant to cover ground. You will find information about plants, shrubs, and flowers that require little sunshine to grow well. You will also get top tips on where to grow these Texas shade plants. It blooms with white or purple spikes in early summer or late spring, attracting pollinators. Spectacular blue, red, pink, or white blooms smother moss pink's needle-like foliage in spring. Plant Asiatic Jasmine in your yard for an easy-going, attractive perennial. Generally, ground cover plants for shade are hardy types of creeping or spreading plants that are green all year long. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a hardy white flowering perennial ground cover for shade. Because all Texas lawn grasses do best in full sun, homeowners in the state often find bald spots in shady areas of their yards. Ferns are generally great choices for shady areas. USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 10 Mondo grass cultivars: nippon, variegatus, and kioto Care: Easy. Ground cover plants are beneficial pieces of foliage that are attractive and help prevent nuisances such as weeds and. Texas sedge SAWS Conservation personnel are excited about this native in the landscape. Shade plants must be able to grow well in limited sunshine. This plant blooms in the late spring in various colors, including lavender, pink, purple, and white. When Stonecrop (Sedum acre) blossoms with its bright yellow flowers, it turns into a stunning type of colorful ground cover plant. 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. The average height of regular Mondo grass is around 7 to 15 (20 40 cm). Also, it is attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies so that you might enjoy some new visitors in your garden. Cities include Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. Although known as a climbing vine, English ivy (Hedera helix) roots itself wherever it touches the ground. A great container plant. Use Caution with Spreading Plants. This native Texas shrub performs well in dappled sunlight or partial shade in hot climates. This woodland plant has white, bell-shaped flowers that trail from tall green foliage and emits a sweet scent. You should remember that this ground spreading plant isnt a drought-resistant plant. You get the idea. This perennial plant has feathery, fan-shaped, green foliage and is cold-hardy. This means that you can use this versatile plant anywhere where you need good ground cover. a very low growing perennial with purple flowers; excellent for those hot and dry row areas along the street. If you enjoy a bit of color across your yard, this might be the perfect choice without taking on the responsibility of a flower bed. It is a supremely tough, fast-spreading, evergreen ground that tolerates heat, humidity, and well-drained soils. Typically, plants for full shade or partial shade should thrive on one to three hours of sunlight. Maybe you have a steep slope that's difficult or dangerous to use a lawnmower. It thrives in humid environments with temperatures between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The improved "Big Blue" variety has longer leaves and larger flower spikes than other varieties. With blades thinner than those of liriope, mondo grass grows in clumps from rhizomes in USDA zones 7 to 11. Growing to a height of around 40 (100 cm), the broad leaves provide excellent ground cover. Excellent for the front yard near the curb and sidewalk or between driveways. Add to Favorites Very hardy perennial Ground Cover 15 bare roots 5 out of 5 stars (1.2k) $ 10.00. In southern Texas, Turks cap has evergreen foliage and is tolerant of heat and drought. The reasons to use plants that provide good ground cover in the shade is to help control weeds, prevent erosion, or landscape areas of your garden where other plants dont thrive. Common periwinkle is a low, spreading vine with attractive purple/lavender flowers. Ferns are great ground cover plants for shady areas in your garden learn about the many types of ferns and how to care for them. Features purple foliage and pink flowers, and the only maintenance required is pruning once every five years. Plant the flowers in window boxes, containers, or along a driveway. Throughout the year, the thick dense foliage of Stonecrop provides good cover in shady areas. Hydrangea macrophylla Big Daddy (in this image) is a shade loving shrub with pink flowers in alkaline soils and blue flowers in acidic soils. It may be time to forget turf and move on to something thats drought hardy, water efficient and environmentally friendly: ground covers. Artemisia, with its often-silvery foliage, is a solid choice for ground cover. This plant does well in Texas due to its high light and little water tolerance. Flowering vs. Evergreen Ground Covers Althea, Rose of Sharon The spotted laurel is a great type of shrub for partial sun and shady areas with its decorative foliage. Bunchberry is a slow-growing flowering perennial ground cover plant. Although known as a climbing vine, English ivy (Hedera helix) roots itself wherever it touches the ground. It also performs well in patios and containers. Check our plant database for more ideas! It has a low maintenance requirement and can thrive in hot climates. South Texas Yarrow Yarrow is a plant that produces very tinny blooms that are red, pink, yellow, or white. Sun exposure: Full sun to complete shade. Mazus cultivars grow in hardiness USDA zones 5-8. Because monkey grass thrives in the shade, it can be planted under shrubs and trees or in areas that are in constant shade. Ground covers are a great way to connect parts of your landscaping to add cohesiveness to your home or garden. You can also use Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus. 17 Effective Plants to Keep Cats Away + Deterrent Methods, When is it Too Late To Use Weed And Feed? Periwinkles are mat-forming evergreen plants with large lilac or purple flowers. (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones), Why is My Phlox Not Flowering? Plant Lily-of-the-Valley in partial shade for best results, but some morning sun is also acceptable. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a type of ground cover plant that loves to grow in shady areas. Liriope is also called monkey grass or spider grass as it has grass-like foliage that grows in tufts. They help to cover most types of soil or look good in rock gardens. Cast iron plant this is a shade loving green foliage plant that requires no care and no supplementary water to survive. That said, I do have one pet peeve with a commonly used ground cover: Asiatic jasmine. This creeping plant provides beautiful blooming ground cover thanks to its small light-purple flowers. These include the Lacey Oak, Red Oak, Live Oak, Monterrey Oak and Bur Oak. Avoid wetting the foliage with sprinklers, as this promotes disease. It turns golden in autumn, but, otherwise, offers only a green color. Horseherb Download the Free PDF: Texas Native Shade Plants Best North Texas Shade Plants Best South Texas Shade Plants Best Central Texas Shade Plants She holds a B.A. Apart from its 6-foot tall flowering spikes, the plant has showy green oval leaves with wavy margins. Lawn maintenance can be boring, so put something colorful in its place. Purple heart a classic and still one of the best, this one is also virtually indestructible. Mark A. Peterson is a conservation project coordinator for San Antonio Water System. With blades thinner than those of liriope, mondo grass grows in clumps from rhizomes in USDA zones 7 to 11. As a perennial ground cover, it spreads quickly, so pruning it near walkways or walls is necessary. This strength is to the gardener's advantage in areas where the weather can be unpredictable. Pigeonberry is a perennial shade shrub for Texas landscapes and is small enough for tight spaces. When mature, Stonecrop will spread up to 24 (60 cm). Now hiring! No matter how careful you arein your landscape maintenance, you will never stay ahead of this vigorous, creeping spreader. BLUE PLUMBAGO (Plumbago auriculata): clusters of baby blue flowers; drought tolerant; well-drained soil; full to part sun; 2 to 3 feet. They look great, edging flower beds, spilling over low retaining walls, or filling rock gardens. This red-flowering shrub grows in full shade to full sun and blooms continuously from May through November. Average minimum winter temperatures are 10F to 20F. In this list of 12 common ground cover plants, the first five are well-behaved species that generally can be used without fear, but the remaining seven have a reputation for unruliness and invasiveness in some regions; before using them, check with local experts to make sure they won't cause problems. Well, if you dont have three or four hours of sunlight in South Texas, and four or five hours of sunlight in North Texas, youre not going to get St. Augustine to grow. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. For San Antonio water System that are red, pink, apricot, and! 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Were growing in the ground back in the shade throughout all areas of occasional foot traffic top on. My Phlox not flowering San Antonio water System properly especially during the warm summer months smell and even. Of protecting your property from erosion and can withstand the dropping temperatures throughout winter as it grows in from... ( deciduous in colder climates ) the clumps become larger and spread until can! ) roots itself wherever it touches the ground, plants for shade are types!