As our beautiful trees finally become mature, it can be challenging trying to get something to grow under the shade of their canopy. We’ve probably tried various grasses and shade tolerant plants but they aren’t as tolerant as they use to be. So what do we do now? Groundcover!

Groundcover can be the answer to the problem. It covers so the bare ground cannot be seen as well as helping with rain and sun from hitting the ground which can help with moisture and weeds. There are a variety of groundcover that love shade. A great website where you can find helpful information is Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

In the July 12, 2012, Cover Your Ground with Plants – Part 2, article by Keith Hansen on the above website is a list of plants that work in East Texas shady areas. Some of my favorites are Ajuga, Asian jasmine and English ivy. There are a variety of ferns that work as well as some grasses.

Ajuga, also known as Bugleweed and Carpet Bugle, is low growing and spreads. It prefers shade but does like morning sun. It is a perennial with dark green or purplish leaves and it can be variegated. It is one of the best for shade.

Asian jasmine isn’t really a jasmine. The name comes from the fragrance of its flower. It’s aggressive in growing so if you’re looking for something to cover an area quickly this might be your answer but will need to be pruned if you want to keep it in a certain area. It can tolerate full shade to full sun.

English ivy is a green leaf perennial. It can spread as a groundcover or grow up a wall or tree trunk. It grows quickly and may be invasive if not maintained. It likes partial to full shade.

There are other choices depending on what your planning permits. The web is a good place to research the different plants. Try to look at sites that are connected to educational research organizations so you know that what you are looking at has been tested in your area. Happy Gardening!

The Smith County Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization in connection with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Lynette Sewell

Smith County Master Gardener