The toughest ground cover shade spots in your yard demand plants like Wild Ginger and Barrenwort. These two handle the worst conditions you can throw at them. They grow where other plants just give up and die on you.
I planted Wild Ginger under my old maple tree five years ago. That spot gets almost no rain since the branches block it all. The roots of that big tree suck moisture out fast. My Wild Ginger still spreads two inches per year without any extra watering from me after the first season ended.
Utah State Extension notes that dry shade under tree canopies creates unique problems for you. The trees block both sunlight and rainfall from reaching your ground. Your plants have to handle two stresses at once down there. Only the toughest species make it through these harsh conditions.
What makes a plant tough enough for your difficult shade ground cover plants duty? It needs to handle low light without getting leggy or weak. It must tolerate dry soil and grab water fast when rain does fall. It should fight off diseases on its own. Deer pressure can't stop it either.
Barrenwort checks every box on that tough plant list for you. The heart-shaped leaves form a dense weed blocking mat within two years. Deer walk right past it without taking a bite. Drought barely slows it down once your roots take hold. This hardy shade ground cover survives zone 4 winters without damage.
Wild Ginger brings native toughness to your problem spots. The glossy leaves stay attractive all season long under heavy tree cover. Slugs and snails leave it alone unlike many other shade plants you might try. The spreading roots handle competition from tree roots better than most options.
Even the toughest plants need your help getting started in rough spots. Water your new plants once per week for the whole first year when you plant in dry shade. This gives them time to push roots deep before they have to fend for themselves. Skip this step and even tough plants can fail on you.
Add organic matter before you plant in your poor soil areas. Work two inches of compost into the top six inches of dirt. This holds water longer between rains for your plants. It also gives roots something soft to push through. Better soil means faster growth even for plants that tolerate bad conditions.
Match the right tough plant to your specific problem spot. Wild Ginger works best in moist to dry shade with heavy root pressure. Barrenwort handles your driest spots where other plants brown out fast. Both give you years of coverage once they settle in. Your hardest shade spots don't have to stay bare anymore.
Read the full article: 10 Top Ground Cover Shade Plants
