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Most plants need sun to grow and thrive. If you have shady spots on your property that are overshadowed by large trees with dense canopies, it can be difficult to get anything to grow in those areas. Fortunately, there are a number of shade ground cover plants that will cover bare spots in shady areas. Most shade loving ground covers fall into one of three categories, vines, shrubs, and mosses. Each of these types of plants can fill the different landscaping needs of shaded areas.
The first type of shade ground cover is shrubs. Shrubs that are classified as ground cover are low growing, about 10”-24”, and spread out to fill designated areas. They are generally not aggressive and can be kept in check with occasional pruning. They are perfect for providing a foliage ring around the base of a larger tree and can also be used to hide the base of an exposed foundation or retaining wall. An excellent example of a shade ground cover shrub is Pachysandra or Spurge. This evergreen shrub grows slowly to about 10” and enjoys medium to deep shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and will produce tiny, barely visible white flowers in early spring.
The second type of common shade ground cover is vines or creepers. This type of ground cover grows by sending runners out along the ground which then take root themselves. Ground cover vines can also be trained to climb over arbors, retaining walls, and wind through rock gardens. An example of a shade-loving creeping ground cover is Virginia Creeper. This vine is an aggressive plant that spread and climbs using a small tendril with sticky pads on the end to adhere to most surfaces. Since the vine clings to the surface of an object, rather than using root penetration, it is a good choice for covering fences and walls as it will not damage the structure. Virginia Creeper will overpower and eventually kill other plants by cutting off their sunlight. It needs to be cut back hard periodically to keep it in check.
The final common shade ground cover is moss. It may sound a little unusual, but moss is gaining in popularity as a necessary component for shade gardens. Moss thrives in compacted, poor soil and will completely cover the ground like a rug. It can tolerate foot traffic and is fairly hardy. Moss is an excellent choice to edge walkways and borders or to use between stepping stones. Since moss enjoys a moist environment, it is an excellent choice to use around ponds or water features. It is not at all aggressive and can be easily kept in check simply by cutting away excess portions.
Ground covers that tolerate shade are a vital part of many gardens. They are ideal for filling in gaps where sun loving plants refuse to grow. Whether under a dense tree canopy, around your foundation, or underneath taller shrubs and plants, shade ground cover will provide texture and color to those shady spots.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about Landscape Gardening and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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