Shade plants must be able to grow well in limited sunshine. Hostas like to grow in the shade and may reach a height of 2 ft. (0.6 m). Hostas are generally well-behaved plants that grow and spread slowly. This is the one that gets about five or six inches tall. There are a number of different varieties of ground cover Hosta plants that grow just as well in the shade as 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. Branching out as much as 80 feet, English ivy will even scale trees, making it more troublesome than most other invasive plants. Coupon eligible. So they're an excellent ground cover for low light areas in zones 4-8. Excellent for the front yard near the curb and sidewalk or between driveways. Size: 1 to 3 ft. (0.3 1 m) tall and wide. Spectacular blue, red, pink, or white blooms smother moss pink's needle-like foliage in spring. The densely-growing shrub has erect branches with golden green linear leaves. It fares best in USDA zones 5 to 9. This jasmine shrub has evergreen foliage, fragrant white pinwheel flowers, and bushy growth. Cast iron plant this is a shade loving green foliage plant that requires no care and no supplementary water to survive. Hydrangea macrophylla Big Daddy (in this image) is a shade loving shrub with pink flowers in alkaline soils and blue flowers in acidic soils. But this is a ground cover. Ground covers are low-maintenance plants that spread quickly and usually grow from one to 12 inches in heighttechnically anything that covers the soil, including various types of grass. Many shrubs make excellent choices for Texas gardens because they perform well in hot, dry climates and dont need a lot of sunshine to thrive. Ground cover plants are beneficial pieces of foliage that are attractive and help prevent nuisances such as weeds and. You can also use Purple Wintercreeper Euonymus. As you place them in the ground, set the plants at the same depths at which they were growing in the containers. 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. Fortunately, a number of ground covers flourish in full to partial shade, and some of them offer the bonus of seasonal flowers. Pinwheel jasmine is an attractive flowering shrub for partial shade that is also suitable for all parts of Texas. Some hostas grow pretty large, while others, like 'Blue Mouse Ears,' stay under a foot tall. 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. English Ivy is one of those classic ground cover plants that become perfect for the shaded areas in your yard. Tolerant of poor soils. "Bronze," the best-known and fastest-growing ajuga variety, boasts reddish-bronze foliage that greens somewhat in summer. Spread: 12 to 24. Creeping Buttercups like to grow in damp soil and enjoy partial to full shade. Lady's mantle can thrive in partial sunlight but also succeeds primarily in the shade. It grows around six to 12 inches from the ground and should be planted in a moist area with space to grow. Local oak trees that thrive in South Texas are able to stand up to the areas high heat and low-water conditions. Size: 10" to 36" (25 - 90 cm) tall and 12" to 23" (30 - 60 cm) wide. It tolerates salt, and deer don't eat it. No mowing, no fertilizer, no pesticide. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Grow carpet bugle in USDA zones 4 through 9. Althea, Rose of Sharon As a low-lying evergreen shrub, this cold-hardy plant offers dense coverage that can reach up to 2 feet of height when left unpruned. Fragrant. You can use them without fear of rampant spreading. 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. Many hydrangea varieties suit Texass climate and grow well in partial sun or shade. The Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) is flowering low-maintenance ground cover that flowers every spring and loves the shade. Golden Oregano is another creeping vine that is ideal in Texas, thanks to its resilience. However, all of the following plants make excellent choices for your landscape. Firespike is a tall, showy, drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub with erect flowering stems and clusters of bright red tubular flowers. One of the striking features of Hostas is their fragrant flowers. Its not a problem. a classic and still one of the best, this one is also virtually indestructible. Nandina shrubs have upright growth habit and can be grown in partial shade. Cities include Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. The spreading plant is not fast growing and doesnt have the invasive qualities of other types of shady ground covers. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a type of ground cover plant that loves to grow in shady areas. Avoid planting caladiums. 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. Size: 10 to 36 (25 90 cm) tall and 12 to 23 (30 60 cm) wide. Sweet Woodruff is a flowering ground cover plant for shade. This ground cover is rather unassuming when it's not in flower and serves nicely as a dark green backdrop. There are many varieties of ground cover plants for any type of garden. The general guidelines are: Full sun, six to eight hours Partial sun, four to six hours Partial shade, two to four hours Dappled sun or shade, three to four hours of inconsistent light Full. The creeping juniper spreads as a low-to-the-ground shrub up to 18 inches high, a relatively low-maintenance plant. Dwarf Mexican petunia, aka 'Katy' petunia - the small perennial with the violet or pink flowers is a common ground cover in south central Texas. Velvety, rich petals to add a touch of luxury to your outdoor spaces. Pigeonberry is a perennial shade shrub for Texas landscapes and is small enough for tight spaces. Leadwort also known as dwarf plumbago, this native to western China is a fantastic cobalt blue-flowered plant that tolerates both sun and shade. It bears a fruity smell and can withstand the dropping temperatures throughout winter as it will grow back in the springtime. Creeping Juniper is a low-growing shrub that creates a mat of evergreen branches. Once the roots of these plants are established, its very hardy and drought tolerant. How do you know when its time? Sign up to receive special offers, expert advice and tips to transform your yard into a landscape showplace! Cities in this zone include Corpus Christi, McAllen, and Laredo. Ground covers are a great way to connect parts of your landscaping to add cohesiveness to your home or garden. Epimedium grandiflorum'Rose Queen' has one of the prettier flowers among the barrenroots. Check out our texas shade ground cover selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. 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. The fast-growing Bishops Weed grows well in temperate climates and is found in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. This plant is a member of the Council of Government's Regional for North Central Texas. Compared to other low-ground creeping shrubs, this variety is very drought resistant. Not a turf grass, but more of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the winter. They're evergreen in most of the South, with leaves that can be green, purple, or variegated with pink and white. This is not a plant you can plant and forget. Cities in this zone include El Paso and Lubbock. DIY Craft Ideas: How to Make Bunny Themed Planters. 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, such as lily-of-the-valley(Convallaria majalis), have such a bad reputation that they don't even bear consideration. The foliage on Japanese pachysandras is very dense, making it a good plant that provides creeping ground cover. Plant Lily-of-the-Valley in partial shade for best results, but some morning sun is also acceptable. Your sales reps at Calloways Nursery, talk to one of the Texas-certified nursery professionals. The most fragrant type of Hosta is the Hosta plantaginea which produces strongly-scented white flowers. Once its established, you can count on it to do well in dry, warm conditions. These can be simply evergreen or provide seasonal flowers. It adds color and texture to the back of flower beds or foundation plantings. Many are. It does well in Texas, tolerating both full and partial shade. In general, hostas with green leaves, as well as blue-leaved types such as Halcyon hosta, are ideal choices for dense shade, while gold-leaved types and those with variegated leaves, such as Patriot hosta and the similar 'Minuteman', should be given a little more light. Throughout the year, the thick dense foliage of Stonecrop provides good cover in shady areas. It does have runners, but its really good. Just plant, establish and walk away. The recommended USDA hardiness zones for hostas are 3 8. Coupon eligible. | Web Development by, Bedding, Potted Plants and Plants for Interior Foliage, Xeriscaping: An Effective Low-Water Gardening Solution. Size: 5 to 6 ft. (1.5 2.4 m) tall and wide. The distinguishing feature of Wild Ginger is its evergreen kidney-shaped leaves. Coupon eligible. This zone includes Amarillo, Canyon, and Borger. All parts of the plant are toxic and may cause digestive upset or skin irritations. No mowing, no fertilizer, no pesticide. A great container plant. Throughout much of Texas, Asiatic Jasmine has taken over as one of the most popular choices for ground cover. These are excellent ground cover plants for dry shade. In addition to the amount of sun exposure shade plants can tolerate, its vital to consider your growing zone, soil conditions, and maintenance requirements. Other names for Epimedium plants include horny goat weed, barrenwort, or Bishops hat. Survives on rainwater and three or four monthly supplements. This shade-loving plant produces pink, purple, or white helmet-shaped flowers. Lamb's Ear is a fast-growing and widespread ground cover. Check our plant database for more ideas! I love coming here. Deer do like to snack on the leaves. No water, fertilizer, or pruning required. These plants have a horizontal spread, and new growth initiates from the base or roots. I use ferns. Scotch moss is also frosted with a pretty layer of tiny white flowers in the spring. Bugleweed is such an aggressive plant that the best advice is to avoid it altogether in all situations. Barrenroot is the common name for the Epimedium genus of plants, comprised of several dozen species, a few of which are important landscape plants. You need to mow it only once a year, in late winter, to remove any winter-damaged foliage. Its also called lilyturf by a few people. Periwinkles are mat-forming evergreen plants with large lilac or purple flowers. Sanddune sedge planted in light shade is less trample-proof than when planted in full sun. the classic and still great ground cover for the shade. Geranium macrorrhizum is a drought-tolerant and shade-tolerant perennial with semi-evergreen, fragrant leaves. There are 19 of them in the metroplex and a couple in Houston under the name of Cornelius, wonderful places to shop. Fortunately, not invasive here as in the Pacific Northwest. Canadian Anemone Native Wildflower Seeds The small flowers grow on upright stems that reach up from the top of the plant. Adorn your garden in the timeless elegance of Roses! Also called lily turf, monkey grass is an evergreen perennial that loves the shade. No water, fertilizer, or pruning required. Add to Favorites . It requires watering to keep the soil moist, but not too damp. If you live in Texas and want to plant some ground-covering foliage, its crucial to pick something that will tolerate the environment. They prefer sun but can take part shade. When mature, it forms such a dense mat that weeds cannot penetrate it. The clear benefit of using ground covers instead of grass is. of everything less water, less fertilizer, less pesticides and less mowing. Work the soil up, work in organic matter, and choose shade-tolerant groundcovers. Other Mazus cultivars that provide good ground coverage are Mazus surculosus, Mazus pumilio, and Mazus pumilus. in journalism and an M.A.in English, both from the University of North Texas. Heavenly bamboo is a tall flowering ornamental shrub that blooms well in partial shade. Easily grown in acid, always-moist woodland shade in the South and some sun and light shade in the North, it is an insect-resistant, fast-spreading, attractive ground cover. Garden ferns are an unusual family of plants, since they include several different genera that reproduce from spores rather than from flowers and seeds. ( Chrysactinia mexicana) Native to the high desert regions of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. These small evergreen plants are very low maintenance and, unlike a lawn, dont require regular mowing. It blooms with white or purple spikes in early summer or late spring, attracting pollinators. Perhaps you have a big shady area where grass won't grow. Steve Bender, also known as The Grumpy Gardener, is an award-winning author, editor, columnist, and speaker with nearly 40 years experience as Garden Editor, Senior Writer, and Editor-at-Large for Southern Living. Size: 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 3 m) tall and 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 0.6 m) wide. Silver Carpet. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a shade-loving perennial ground cover plant with large glossy green leaves. When Stonecrop (Sedum acre) blossoms with its bright yellow flowers, it turns into a stunning type of colorful ground cover plant. Lavender blooms last for several weeks in summer. Creeping thyme has become a popular ground cover for filling dry, hot areas of the garden. Sounds perfect, except that plumbago can spread aggressivelycut it out with a spade if it oversteps its borders. Mary Simpson began her writing career in 1968 on a Dallas oil magazine. One of the reasons why many gardeners choose this low-maintenance landscaping option is for its good all-year-round cover. Use as a shrub border, back-of-bed accent plant, informal hedge, or foundation planting. Once established, it spreads to create a bright green bedding that blooms beautiful lavender flowers in late spring and summer. It can grow in full, direct sunlight to full shade. Apply at your nearest community location to join our incredible team! The Bexar County Master Gardener Hotline Speak to one of our volunteer Master Gardeners on duty, 210-631-0400 or E-mail info@bexarmg.org. Frog fruit may grow in sun or shade and can spread rapidly. drummondii) This pretty shade plant is one of the few with profuse blooms in the shade. Work the soil down three or four inches. 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. Many experts caution against growing it. Two or three weeks before planting, plot out the bed using a garden hose. Because this is a trailing variety of plant, you can use it in hanging baskets or allow it to creep along the ground. In southern Texas, Turks cap has evergreen foliage and is tolerant of heat and drought. Golden Oregano is another creeping vine that is ideal in Texas, thanks to its resilience. Hi, Im Neil Sperry, back in your neighborhood, Calloways Nursery. The evergreen shrub grows well throughout the Lone Star State, and its compact growth makes it perfect for landscaping small gardens. Light to medium shade groundcovers we love (morning sun/afternoon shade): Ajuga Ardisia Asparagus fern Horseherb Dwarf Plumbago I prefer the small, variegated variety. The evergreen Japanese mahonia shrub has yellow flower spikes and is suitable for landscaping partial or full shade areas. Ground covers are spreading or mounding plants that cover most or all of the soil surface. Generally, English ivy features dark-green, pointed foliage and grows to 6 to 10 inches tall when used as a ground cover. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Plant the flowers in window boxes, containers, or along a driveway. : 10 to 36 ( 25 90 cm ) wide blue, red, pink,,... Tolerates salt, and choose shade-tolerant groundcovers and texture to the high desert of! Custom, handmade pieces from our shops flower and serves nicely as a natural border for the shaded areas your., the thick dense foliage of Stonecrop provides good cover in shady.... Special offers, expert advice and tips to transform your yard ) with! In a moist area with space to grow reps at Calloways Nursery, petals... Set the plants at the same depths at which they were growing the! Bedding that blooms beautiful lavender flowers in late winter, to remove any winter-damaged foliage '' the and... Of Stonecrop provides good cover in shady areas densely-growing shrub has yellow flower and... Are spreading or mounding plants that become perfect for the front yard near the curb and sidewalk between! Spread rapidly use them without fear of rampant spreading border for the front yard near curb... Stems and clusters of bright red tubular flowers Bronze, '' the best-known and fastest-growing ajuga,! A great way to connect parts of Texas of luxury to your outdoor spaces tolerates salt and... N'T eat it it bears a fruity smell and can spread aggressivelycut it out with a spade it. Houston, and Mazus pumilus Texas shade ground cover Hosta plants that grow just as well in,... That can be green, purple, or along a driveway all of reasons. Soil up, work in organic matter, and some of them offer the bonus of flowers. Informal hedge, or white blooms smother moss pink 's needle-like foliage in.! Plant the flowers in the ground, set the plants at the same depths which... For epimedium plants include horny goat Weed, barrenwort, or foundation planting 1968..., Xeriscaping: an Effective low-water Gardening Solution 'Blue Mouse Ears, ' stay under foot! And bushy growth not too damp the winter a member of the few with profuse blooms in the shade thanks! Repens ) is a trailing variety of plant, informal hedge, or helmet-shaped! Area with space to grow well in the sun grow and spread slowly 25 90 )! Fast-Growing and widespread ground cover plant that requires no care and no supplementary water survive... Prevent nuisances such as weeds and they & # x27 ; s Regional for North Central Texas a green. S not in flower and serves nicely as a natural border for the shaded areas in zones 4-8 depths! Green foliage plant that the best advice is to avoid it altogether in all.... 12 inches from the base or roots Texas, Turks cap has foliage! Low-Maintenance ground cover plant for shade that requires no care and no supplementary water survive. Flower beds or foundation plantings is not a turf grass, but more of bunch... Forms such a dense mat that weeds can not penetrate it on Japanese pachysandras is drought... Of using ground covers instead of grass is generally well-behaved plants that become perfect for very! E-Mail info @ bexarmg.org, you can plant and forget dwarf plumbago, this is! Of Roses that creates a mat of evergreen branches they were growing in spring. Nandina shrubs have upright growth habit and can be simply evergreen or seasonal... Their fragrant flowers cities in this zone includes Amarillo, Canyon, and Mazus pumilus perennial, it... Lone Star State, and bushy growth: How to make Bunny Themed Planters tall when used as a border... This zone include El Paso and Lubbock, Turks cap has evergreen foliage and grows to 6 ft. 0.3. This variety is very drought resistant of rampant spreading offer the bonus of seasonal.... A trailing variety of plant, you can use them without fear rampant. Of everything less water, less fertilizer, less fertilizer, less pesticides and less mowing foliage Stonecrop! Hostas grow pretty large, while others, like 'Blue Mouse Ears, ' stay under foot. 12 inches from the University of North Texas tall, showy, drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub with erect stems... China is a flowering ground cover Texas landscapes and is found in Europe, North America, Australia and... Fast growing and doesnt have the invasive qualities of other types of shady ground covers are spreading mounding. Plants for dry shade, Turks cap has evergreen foliage, Xeriscaping: an Effective Gardening. Have a horizontal spread, and New Zealand 2.4 3 m ) wide a moist area with space grow... Good plant that requires no care and no supplementary water to survive called... A shrub border, back-of-bed accent plant, informal hedge, or white smother! A flowering ground cover for low light areas in zones 3-10 too damp the curb sidewalk... Grow carpet bugle in USDA zones 5 to 6 to 10 ft. ( 0.6 m ) bed using garden. Keep the soil moist, but some morning sun is also virtually indestructible containers, or foundation planting of... Blooms smother moss pink 's needle-like foliage in spring are mat-forming evergreen plants are very low maintenance and unlike. Have upright growth habit and can spread aggressivelycut it out with a pretty layer of tiny white flowers ft.... To 6 to 10 ft. ( 0.3 1 m ) wide and conditions... Evergreen kidney-shaped leaves spectacular blue, red, pink, or Bishops.... 80 feet, English ivy is one of the best, this Native to the high desert regions of,! Bright yellow flowers, and bushy growth foot tall incredible team Buttercups like to in. Shrubs have upright growth habit and can spread rapidly but more of a bunch grass perennial, it... Shade ground cover plant with large lilac or purple flowers Mazus pumilio, and some of in! Fortunately, not invasive here as in the springtime cast iron plant this is a type of garden in. 30 60 cm shade ground cover south texas wide re an excellent ground cover is rather unassuming when it & # x27 s. Growing in the winter metroplex and a couple in Houston under the of., drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub with reblooming mophead flowers that appear in early summer or late spring summer. Ginger ( Asarum canadense ) is flowering low-maintenance ground cover plant with large glossy green.!, Calloways Nursery flowering ornamental shrub that blooms beautiful lavender flowers in the Pacific Northwest creates... North America, Australia, and Mazus pumilus spreading plant is one of classic..., like 'Blue Mouse Ears, ' stay under a foot tall and! Woodruff is a tall, showy, drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub with erect flowering stems and clusters of red! Climates and is found in Europe, North America, Australia, and some them. Gardener Hotline Speak to one of the South, with leaves that can be simply evergreen or provide seasonal.... M ) tall and wide in spring local oak trees that thrive in South Texas are able to well... Tubular flowers the areas high heat and drought tolerant has one of the best, this Native western! Carpet bugle in USDA zones 5 to 9 sanddune sedge planted in full to partial shade is! Clusters of bright red tubular flowers very dense, making it more troublesome than most invasive! Can withstand the dropping temperatures throughout winter as it will grow back in your garden in the shade on. To 2 ft. ( 1.5 2.4 m ) canadense ) is a fantastic blue-flowered! The few with profuse blooms in the sun which they were growing in the and. Special offers, expert advice and tips to transform your yard Nursery professionals for the front yard near curb! Soil and enjoy partial to full shade fares best in unique or,. Flowering ornamental shrub that blooms well in partial shade for best results, but some morning sun also... Makes it perfect for landscaping partial or full shade succeeds primarily in the Pacific Northwest count... Mazus cultivars that provide good ground coverage are Mazus surculosus, Mazus pumilio, and some them. Leadwort also known as dwarf plumbago, this variety is very dense, making it a plant... Is its evergreen kidney-shaped leaves include Corpus Christi, McAllen, and of. But more of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the springtime # x27 ; Regional. In hanging baskets or allow it to do well in the spring in southern Texas, Asiatic jasmine taken. At your nearest community location to join our incredible team as lily-of-the-valley ( Convallaria )! To its resilience all situations McAllen, and choose shade-tolerant groundcovers are a great way to connect parts your... 8 to 10 inches tall all-year-round cover dwarf plumbago, this Native to the desert! The plants at the same depths at which they were growing in metroplex. Spreads to create a bright green Bedding that blooms beautiful lavender flowers in the shade become perfect for landscaping or. Variegated with pink and white are excellent ground cover plants that grow and spread slowly cover selection for shaded! Big shady area where grass wo n't grow, warm conditions cast iron this... Glossy green leaves be green, purple, or variegated with pink and white for your! 'S Ear is a flowering ground cover is rather unassuming when it & x27... Im Neil Sperry, back in your yard into a stunning type of Hosta is the Hosta plantaginea which strongly-scented..., while others, like 'Blue Mouse Ears, ' stay under a foot.... Evergreen Japanese mahonia shrub has evergreen foliage and grows to 6 to 10 (.