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Gardening in Shade

Shrubs/ground cover for shade/partial shade slope

8 years ago

The front part of our yard leading down to the street is very difficult to mow due to an incline, so I'd like to gradually replace the grass with a low growing shrub or ground cover. Part of the area is pretty shady, while the other half gets several hours of sun a day (morning-midday). Planning to tackle the shady section first. I don't mind shifting to a different plant(s) for the sunnier section.

We live in MD. Any suggestions for low maitenance plants that would do well in an area like this? caveat- I don't want to use invasives! So many suggestions online are to use things like English ivy, vinca minor, pachysandra, etc.. I'd really prefer to avoid these. I'd be ok with something non-native as long as it isn't invasive. Thanks in advance!

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Comments (2)

laceyvail 6A, WV
8 years ago
Geranium macrorrhizum (Big Root Geranium) should work for the shady area. It would be pretty much evergreen in your area. And it's weed suppressing and deer resistant as well. Morning to midday sun would also be ok for most plants that prefer shade. But if you're talking about a really huge area, I'd be inclined to use at least two different groundcovers. Without a picture and/or rough measurements it's hard to say more.
geoforce
8 years ago
I've been really happy with Sarcococcas humilus on a site similar to description. A bit slow to spread to total coverage, but a nice low evergreen that has good weed blocking coverage. Another for such a site though not evergreen is Epimedium XFrohenleiten. Lovely dense leaf coverage about 8-10 inch and golden flowers in spring. Seems to like 4-5 hours morning sun but an also stand medium shade all day, and forms a dense root mass that holds back vitrually ever weed around here except garlic grass(Allium Sp,?).
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