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. Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a native plant in northern regions of North America. The most widely planted ground cover in the world isto no one's surprisethe lawn. You can use them without fear of rampant spreading. Another top choice for low-water lawn replacements, silver carpet is one of the lowest growing from 2 to 4 inches tall walkable ground covers out there that can be used as a lawn replacement. Pigeonberry 5. Mow yearly. The lavender, violet, and other white flower varieties are mostly scentless. Spring sees lovely spikes of blue, lavender, or white flowers sitting atop the foliage. Bishops Weed is a fast growing ground cover plant to grow in a shady part of your garden. It can do many things, including retaining soil moisture, controlling erosion, creating a lush blanket of plants and replacing a traditional turfgrass lawn. Liriope, L-I-R-I-O-P-E, a lovely groundcover, its a little taller. Ferns are great ground cover plants for shady areas in your garden learn about the many types of ferns and how to care for them. Pinwheel Jasmine is a non-native plant in Texas that tolerates the shade exceptionally well. The evergreen Japanese mahonia shrub has yellow flower spikes and is suitable for landscaping partial or full shade areas. Size: 10 to 36 (25 90 cm) tall and 12 to 23 (30 60 cm) wide. Impatiens are ground-hugging plants that thrive in the shade throughout all areas of Texas. This jasmine shrub has evergreen foliage, fragrant white pinwheel flowers, and bushy growth. Even St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 and the most shade tolerant, needs four hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. Preferring shade, this grass-like ground cover (also known as dwarf lily turf), is evergreen, salt-tolerant, and deer-resistant. This zone includes Amarillo, Canyon, and Borger. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pigeonberry is a small flowering perennial shrub that thrives in shaded gardens in Texas. Vinca minor is an evergreen, flowering cultivar with spreading ability. The Texas Redbud will liven up any garden with magenta flowers in the early spring and thrives just fine in low-sunlight conditions. So, if you plant it to cover ground in shady areas, you need to water it well in the summer. Artemisia, with its often-silvery foliage, is a solid choice for ground cover. This fern will tolerate more sun . Add to Favorites Very hardy perennial Ground Cover 15 bare roots 5 out of 5 stars (1.2k) $ 10.00. No water, fertilizer, or pruning required. a native grass for large swaths of backyard understory. The Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) is flowering low-maintenance ground cover that flowers every spring and loves the shade. This shade-loving ground cover is tolerant of partial sun but will thrive in areas other plants won'tlike under-tree canopiesbecause it is drought-tolerant and adapts to most soil conditions. Impatiens are known for their wonderful floral display and large colorful blooms. Some varieties of Creeping Buttercup are low growing varieties that form a soft green mat over the ground. Most are specific to sun or shade, but some are adaptable to both extremes. Many are WaterSaver Landscape Coupon eligible. Ground covers play an essential role in our ecosystem, providing diversity in many environments. Catmint grows in clumps but spreads, making it suitable for edging beds or spilling over walls. Coming in at about 3-6 inches tall, its true to its nature and will remain a low-growing plant during its lifetime. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) Height: 18-30 inches Spread: 18 inches Flower color: Pink, lavender, white Bloom period: Late Spring-Summer Herbaceous Butterfly nectar plant. Coupon eligible. Variegated ginger is suitable for growing as a front-of-house plant, specimen shrub, or as evergreen edging for a path or driveway. a classic and still one of the best, this one is also virtually indestructible. Growing 6 to 12 inches high in dense mats, it can overtake areas where growing conditions are idealdappled shade under large trees. Japanese laurel is a non-native evergreen shrubby plant that is perfect for shady gardens in Texas. 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. Hostas like to grow in the shade and may reach a height of 2 ft. (0.6 m). Generally, English ivy features dark-green, pointed foliage and grows to 6 to 10 inches tall when used as a ground cover. On the positive side, it does form such a dense mat that weeds are generally choked out. Here are some of our favorite shade plants. Carolina Jessamine this is a vine that is useful as a groundcover. And the reason I like it so much and have used it throughout my landscape is that it does not have runners. This strength is to the gardener's advantage in areas where the weather can be unpredictable. So, if you want to use these hardy plants as ground covers, plant them about 11 apart (30 cm). Spotted deadnettle is an evergreen ground cover for shade that sometimes offers variegated leaves as a selling point, though its beauty is further enhanced by pretty white, pink, or purple flowers. This carefree ground cover is great for beginners as it grows in most types of soil and in partially shady areas or full sun. In agriculture, ground coverings have the extra function of protecting your property from erosion and can even prevent weed growth. Other names for Epimedium plants include horny goat weed, barrenwort, or Bishops hat. : Help Your Plant Bloom, How Long Does It Take Clover to Bloom? Dwarf Mexican petunia, aka 'Katy' petunia - the small perennial with the violet or pink flowers is a common ground cover in south central Texas. also known as dwarf plumbago, this native to western China is a fantastic cobalt blue-flowered plant that tolerates both sun and shade. Ajuga is a fast grower and is considered invasive in some areas of the country. It's an excellent choice for planting under trees. Variegated ginger is a tropical evergreen perennial that performs well in Southern Texas landscapes. Consider expanding your landscape plant palette by removing the grass monoculture. Coupon eligible. It's a shame that yellow archangel is invasive, since its bright yellow flowers would go a long way toward brightening a shady spot in the landscape. The plant also produces clusters of tiny white flowers that grow on the end of long stems. Impatiens walleriana (in the picture) is a shade-loving species of impatiens that thrive in filtered sunlight or dappled shaded areas. Yellow star-shaped flowers appear on the bedding plant around the end of springtime. Some plants, such as lily-of-the-valley(Convallaria majalis), have such a bad reputation that they don't even bear consideration. The hydrangea flowers can be blue, lilac, purple, red, white, pink or multi-colored, depending on the cultivar and soil type. Cities in this zone include El Paso and Lubbock. This eye-catching plant can give your garden a designer feel without sacrificing much time or commitment to its growth. Measure the area to determine how to space the plants you bought. During the winter the leaves may turn yellow and die off. The Allegheny Pachysandra ( Pachysandra procumbens) is a popular type of perennial ground cover plant due to its low height and dense green foliage. Although this type of plant is good for ground cover, its invasive nature means that you have to keep it under control. It has striking spikes of bright yellow blooms contrasting with dark green spiky leaves. This perennial plant is known for having silvery foliage, appearing thick and softly textured. For extra color, you can also choose ground cover plants that flower in the spring, summer, or fall. It will trail off a fence or a hillside. This plant is a member of the Council of Government's Regional for North Central Texas. Coupon eligible. The Texas Redbud will liven up any garden with magenta flowers in the early spring and thrives just fine in low-sunlight conditions. It does bloom in the summer, but it is a little tall as a ground cover, and so I use it more in smaller areas for drama. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Milberger Nursery @2015 All rights reserved. Asiatic jasmine is a low maintenance and easy care trailing flowering plant for partial shade. Some varieties of Epimedium lose their leaves every fall (deciduous) and some are evergreen. Ajuga this low growing perennial with blue or purple flowers is perfect for pervious patios and borders along paths. Frog Fruit a new ground cover that is gaining in popularity. Palm Trees Houston: 5 Beautiful Varieties, What Planting Zone is Illinois in? However, they will regrow the next spring to provide good ground cover from spring until late fall. When selecting shade ground cover in Texas, its important to consider the specific needs of your region and soil type, as well as factors such as moisture and pH levels. Buying ground cover plants in gallon containers assures a greater immediate impact and allows spacing them farther apart. , this plant is a perennial, so youll be able to appreciate its beauty each year that it returns. I love coming here. There are 19 of them in the metroplex and a couple in Houston under the name of Cornelius, wonderful places to shop. Oakleaf hydrangea is an attractive white flowering shrub that grows well in partial shade. This plant is an excellent landscaping choice to protect soil from erosion and have dense ground foliage. Despite its name, which it gets from its creamy-yellow flowers in late spring and early summer, this is not a true jasmine. Thanks for watching, and Ill see you next time. Its a plant with four names: monkey grass, Ophiopogon. Just the Facts, Actaea Simplex Brunette: Growth and Care Guide. In this article, you will find out about some of the best low-maintenance ground cover plants that grow well in the shade. Shade-Tolerant Groundcovers Your sales reps at Calloway's Nursery, talk to one of the Texas-certified nursery professionals. USDA Zone 7: Central Texas and the states western region. Some short plants are native to Texas, while others are not. Buying ground cover plants in gallon containers assures a greater immediate impact and allows spacing them farther apart. It can withstand some sun but also needs some protection during the day. Firespike is a flowering bush in south Texas that will bloom best in part sun to partial shade. USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 10 Mondo grass cultivars: nippon, variegatus, and kioto Care: Easy. That said, I do have one pet peeve with a commonly used ground cover: Asiatic jasmine. Liriope is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 10. Work the soil up, work in organic matter, and choose shade-tolerant groundcovers. If you happen to live in the area and are interested in planting some ground cover, its wise to research which species will thrive. The Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) is a hardy type of flowering ground cover plant that belongs to the Geranium family. Or perhaps you wish you could put something colorful or more drought-tolerant in its place. (The plant is also known commonly as Bishop's hat). Plants can be pruned or trimmed when disease occurs to prevent it from spreading. In autumn, the lush greenery turns a coppery bronze, making this the perfect year-round landscaping feature. As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), this delicate white petaled flower with bright yellow centers is a low-growing, perennial ground cover. Related article: Nandina Plant Care and Growing Guide. This trailing shrubby vine has white jasmine-like, pinwheel white flowers, dark green oval leaves, and bronze-red fall colors in colder climates. It does have runners, but its really good. ( Chrysactinia mexicana) Native to the high desert regions of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. Plant the flowers in window boxes, containers, or along a driveway. Size: 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 3 m) tall and wide. With blades thinner than those of liriope, mondo grass grows in clumps from rhizomes in USDA zones 7 to 11. The only way to kill it is by watering it, so just dont. Creeping thyme has become a popular ground cover for filling dry, hot areas of the garden. As you place them in the ground, set the plants at the same depths at which they were growing in the containers. Bunchberry is a slow-growing flowering perennial ground cover plant. The clear benefit of using ground covers instead of grass is. No matter how careful you arein your landscape maintenance, you will never stay ahead of this vigorous, creeping spreader. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a shade-loving perennial ground cover plant with large glossy green leaves. Coupon eligible. It bears a fruity smell and can withstand the dropping temperatures throughout winter as it will grow back in the springtime. Not a turf grass, but more of a bunch grass perennial, since it goes dormant in the winter. Choosing Texas shade plants is necessary if you have a north-facing landscape or want to grow plants in the shadows of a fence, wall, or foundation line. This creeping plant provides beautiful blooming ground cover thanks to its small light-purple flowers. If youre a gardener in Texas searching for some ground cover for your garden, youll be pleased to find plenty of varieties to choose from. It's easy to multiply the plants once starting to grow. This type of shade-loving perennial ground cover plant produces small flowers in the spring. This drought-tolerant, sun-seeking ground cover emits a lemon scent and bears large amounts of tiny flowers. He is the publisher of Neil Sperry's GARDENS Magazine. Once established, it spreads to create a bright green bedding that blooms beautiful lavender flowers in late spring and summer. It has glossy green leaves and yellow flowers in early spring. Wild ginger is a perennial plant that can be evergreen or semi-evergreen (deciduous in colder climates). 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. Oakleaf hydrangea is an excellent flowering, multi-stemmed native shrub to plant in a shady Texan garden landscape. In addition to being easy to grow and find, they also root as they spread to hold the soil and don't need a lot of maintenance. Because this is a trailing variety of plant, you can use it in hanging baskets or allow it to creep along the ground. Different cultivars of this plant have dark green, silver, purple, or gold-colored leaves. It needs full sun, but otherwise it is a tough and reliable plant, thriving in a wide assortment of soils. Fortunately, not invasive here as in the Pacific Northwest. The evergreen shrub grows well throughout the Lone Star State, and its compact growth makes it perfect for landscaping small gardens. Local oak trees that thrive in South Texas are able to stand up to the areas high heat and low-water conditions. Hostas are generally well-behaved plants that grow and spread slowly. Deadnettle is a flowering ground cover plant for shade with many cultivars. Its height varies from one to two feet. The leaves may lose their color during the winter, but they will start growing again in the spring. However, if you need a ground cover plant for a large area, then Lily of the Valley could be a good choice of flowering perennial for shade. The attractive features of the shade-loving plant are its vibrant red hibiscus-like flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The attractive features of this evergreen plant are its purple and green foliage, a profusion of tiny white flowers, and bright red berries that persist during fall and winter. After all, most plants, especially flowering ones, require some sunlight to thrive. Although it thrives in full sun, it also performs well in partial shade. If you live in Texas and want to plant some ground-covering foliage, its crucial to pick something that will tolerate the environment. Throughout the year, the thick dense foliage of Stonecrop provides good cover in shady areas. The small flowers grow on upright stems that reach up from the top of the plant. The perennial plant, Bishops Weed (Aegopodium podagraria) is another low-maintenance gardening solution for ground cover in shady areas. In contrast with creeping juniper, Vinca minor is one of the ground covers that can take shade. Snake Herb is a great choice for Texas gardens and yards. Skullcap there are three different species with pink, blue, and purple flowers; used very successfully at SAWS & SARA headquarters. It also performs well in patios and containers. The Japanese pachysandra (also called the carpet box plant) has creeping stems with light-green glossy leaves. DIY Craft Ideas: How to Make Bunny Themed Planters. Size: 1 to 3 ft. (0.3 1 m) tall and wide. Plant 'White Nancy,' a vigorous ground cover, in a confined space. The ground cover plant thrives in full to partial shade and flowers every spring when new leaves appear. Excellent for the front yard near the curb and sidewalk or between driveways. Inland Sea Oats 2. Your local university extension office is usually the best place for information. This is the one that gets about five or six inches tall. Here is a list of the USDA growing zones in Texas: USDA Zone 6: Northern Texas, primarily the Panhandle. Avoid planting caladiums. Hydrangea macrophylla Big Daddy (in this image) is a shade loving shrub with pink flowers in alkaline soils and blue flowers in acidic soils. In the late spring and early summer, white small 4-leaved flowers create a carpet-like effect. Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones), Why is My Phlox Not Flowering? The cast iron plant thrives in Central and Southern Texas and needs hardly any sunlight to thrive. Pigeonberry is perfect for dry landscapes in partial to full shade to grow as flowering ground cover if there is little sunlight. You can expect that the green blanket of this mint plant will transform into a lilac color when it blossoms in the summer. Cast iron plant this is a shade loving green foliage plant that requires no care and no supplementary water to survive. English Ivy is one of those classic ground cover plants that become perfect for the shaded areas in your yard. In southern Texas, Turks cap has evergreen foliage and is tolerant of heat and drought. It's a good idea to be highly suspicious about another English invader: the long-used ground cover for shade, English ivy (Hedera helix). Plants form spreading, evergreen or semi-evergreen mats up to six inches high and three feet wide. Many experts caution against growing it. Apply at your nearest community location to join our incredible team! Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. Corsican Mint is very low-growing ground cover plant for shade which spreads easily. It has a low maintenance requirement and can thrive in hot climates. Shorter selections include 'Junior Walker' and 'Purrsian Blue,' growing to about 14 inches. Mow twice a year at most. There are 19 of them in the metroplex and a couple in Houston under the name of Cornelius, wonderful places to shop. When mature, it forms such a dense mat that weeds cannot penetrate it. Here you go. Many types of ground cover plants are perfect for planting in the shade. You should remember that this ground spreading plant isnt a drought-resistant plant. Pachysandra is an evergreen perennial or subshrub comprised of five species, of which P. terminalis (Japanese pachysandra) is the most commonly used landscape variety. Size: 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 1.8 m) tall and 2 ft. (0.6 m) wide. Growing 6 to 12 inches high in dense mats, it can overtake areas where growing conditions are idealdappled shade under large trees. They can handle sun too: 1. Its not a problem. Sweet woodruff grows along the ground and can grow up to 20 (50 cm) long. For example, in the space of a year, one plant can spread to over 40 ft. (12 m). They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. In Northern Texas, impatiens grow as tender perennials or annuals. You might also notice tiny pink or purple flowers peeking out above the plant through summer and fall. This feathery foliage is ideal as an evergreen, low-growing shrub. Light to medium shade groundcovers we love (morning sun/afternoon shade): Ajuga Ardisia Asparagus fern Horseherb Dwarf Plumbago The bright yellow flowers are around an inch in diameter (2.5 cm) and provide a splash of color when planted under trees, shrubs, or in other shady places. It also prefers well-drained soil with little watering needed. If you have put St. Augustine sod down and you watch it just disappear on you, you find that you have nothing but bare ground three or four months later, its time to take that out and replace it. Epimedium x rubrum produces flowers with three colors. Consider expanding your landscape plant palette by removing the grass, https://www.gardenstylesanantonio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/tour-antler-circle-3-800x450-1.jpg, There Is No Standard Setting for Irrigation Systems. Features purple foliage and pink flowers, and the only maintenance required is pruning once every five years. Coupon eligible. Pachysandra often goes by the common name spurge, which leads to sometimes confusing this plant with wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea'), which is also used as a ground cover plant. This low-ground cover plant grows to about 12 (30 cm) high. Perennial discounts. Spreading by underground rhizomes, Japanese pachysandra forms colonies of handsome, glossy, deep-green foliage that stays green year-round. Finally, ground covers like Aspidistra, Monkey Grass, Ajuga or Liriope provide the finishing touches. This ground cover plant should not be used as a substitute to ginger because it contains toxic substances. Light: Sun, Part Sun; Zones: 5-9; Plant Type: Perennial; Plant Height: 6 inches to 4 feet tall; Plant Width: 1-4 feet wide; Landscape Uses: Containers, Beds . Turks cap is a native Texas shade plant that thrives in the central and southern regions of the state. I don't think so, but it does form a fast-spreading carpet about six inches tall. Corsican mint can be an invasive ground cover plant in warm climates. Suitable for planting in all regions of Texas, money grass is a good turfgrass alternative. Average minimum temperatures in winter are -10F to 0F. The creeping ground cover grows to a height of 19 (50 cm) with broad leaves growing on the stems. Generally, ground cover plants for shade are hardy types of creeping or spreading plants that are green all year long. The lilyturf plant can grow quite quickly and is a good landscaping solution for evergreen ground cover. Chili Petin 7. Login/Register New Account | Accessibility Statement | Site Map | Safety Data Sheets. Coupon eligible. Southern shield fern. This plant is common among landscapers as it spreads slowly, offers a variety of foliage, and tolerates many soils. Average minimum winter temperatures are 10F to 20F. This adaptable plant provides a colorful height accent in a southern garden. She holds a B.A. The Bloody Cranes-Bill grows at a medium pace and will reach heights of between 8 and 20 (20 50 cm) within 2 years. Creeping Juniper is a family of shrubs, many of which thrive in the Texan environment. Lamb's Ear is a fast-growing and widespread ground cover. One thing to consider before choosing this type of plant for ground covering is its toxicity. I do not use dwarf mondo grass in great areas, large areas because it is just too slow-growing, but its very pretty in small areas. Please stop. Good drainage is a must. my favorite native perennial is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, but not deer. It adds color and texture to the back of flower beds or foundation plantings. Drought Tolerant Perennial Plants - Best Perennial Flowers (Pictures), Living Fence: 25 Ideas for Natural Living Fences and Living Walls (Pictures), Hardy Perennials: Flowers That Come Back Year After Year (With Pictures), Creeping Thyme Lawn: Types, Advantages and Care, The Best Texas Shade Plants Pictures and Identification Guide, small ornamental shrub in part to full shade, The top shade plants for growing in Florida, flowering ground cover if there is little sunlight, flowers that appear in early summer and persist until fall, beautiful perennials to grow in the shade, vine famed for its fragrant white flowers. Spectacular blue, red, pink, or white blooms smother moss pink's needle-like foliage in spring. Here are some examples of great ground covers, separated by light requirements. In warmer zones, this plant is a perennial, so youll be able to appreciate its beauty each year that it returns. Considered an invasive plant in some regions, Sweet Alyssum will coat your landscape with beautiful, honey-smelling flowers. Below are the best picks for ground cover plants in Texas. For the look of lawn grass, but not the upkeep, mondo is your plant. Shrubby Boneset 8. Size: 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 3 m) tall and 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 0.6 m) wide. Choosing the best shade plants for Texas is a crucial part of gardening in the south. Hi, Im Neil Sperry, back in your neighborhood, Calloways Nursery. Leaves cluster at the ends of stems that stand six to 12 inches tall. Lily-of-the-valley has overrun many abandoned homesteads in eastern North America, and many garden centers no longer even sell the plant. Check our plant database for more ideas! Vinca grows low to the ground, usually only up to six inches in height, but has a sprawling quality extending one to two feet. You need to mow it only once a year, in late winter, to remove any winter-damaged foliage. Etsy. In my opinion, its not deer-resistant so use only in fenced areas or in the city. The flowers can bloom from spring to fall in pink, purple, red, and white varieties. Bishops Weed can quickly cover a large area of ground due to its fast-growing properties. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex . It needs moist soil, but it will not tolerate wet roots. This shrub has a rounded habit and can be used as an accent plant, flowering hedge, or foundation planting. 17 Plants That Attract Bees To Your Garden, 17 Best Flowers To Attract Hummingbirds To Your Garden, 31 Funny Plant Names That Will Make You Laugh, 13 Colorful Flowering Vines For Your Garden, 19 Great Types of Ferns To Use In Hanging Baskets, 4 Alternatives For Red-Tip Photinia In The South, Best Boxwoods For Every Landscape And Climate, 12 Flowering Southern Trees You Need To Plant Now, 18 Pretty Purple Flowers To Plant In Your Garden. This evergreen grass grows to be four to six inches tall. This is out-of-the-box thinking and we have seen a few and hope for more examples in San Antonio. Size: 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 2.4 m) tall and wide. Also known as a plantain lily, hosta's heart-shaped or oval leaves appear in blues, greens, and creamy variegated colors. It grows well in soil and shade and has a starry pink flower. Mazus is a group of low-growing spreading plants that provide excellent ground cover in parts of your garden that dont get much sun. Barrenroot is the common name for the Epimedium genus of plants, comprised of several dozen species, a few of which are important landscape plants. If you don't exactly have a green thumb but what to add some color and interest to your landscaping, then consider ground cover. The spotted laurel is a great type of shrub for partial sun and shady areas with its decorative foliage. All parts of this ground cover are poisonous. If you are looking for some ideas where to plant this ground covering variety, then you can plant it on the north side of a building. The clumpy plants can spread up to 8 (20 cm). Some plants for light shade require dappled sunlight or a few hours of early morning sunshine. Camellia Winters Star (in the picture) thrives in dappled sun or partially shaded conditions. Opportunities abound for replacing that tiresome, water-sucking grass. It can be a very good ground cover for a gardener able and willing to keep it under control, but it has escaped cultivation and naturalized in many areas of the northern U.S, thanks to its ability to adapt to almost any soil condition. Just plant, establish and walk away. True to its name, a single branch of trailing juniper can grow up to 6 feet along the ground, making it an effective 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. 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. To get the best ground cover, you can plant many of these plants together. This easy-to-grow plant, which doesn't require deadheading flowers or fertilizer, blooms in the spring and summer. These shade-tolerant shrubs have showy flowers with ruffled petals and double blooms. Top Texas Native Plants for Shade It can be tricky to find plants that want to bloom in the shade, but these three plants are stars in the shade! Actually, this ground cover plant provides a thick dense carpet of foliage in most soils. TRAILING LANTANA (Lantana montevidensis): lilac flowers; blooms in spring, summer, fall; very drought tolerant; great as a groundcover, in containers or hanging baskets; sun or partial shade; 1 to 2 feet. USDA Zone 9: Southern tip of Texas from San Antonio to the Gulf Coast. It grows around six to 12 inches from the ground and should be planted in a moist area with space to grow. You can also plant this native small, fast-growing plant along a foundation line or fence or brighten a mixed bed. Vinca (Vinca minor) is an excellent evergreen flowering ground cover plant because it covers the ground with dense foliage and a few flowers in the spring. Shade areas hours of early morning sunshine in gallon containers assures a greater immediate impact allows... Out of 5 stars ( 1.2k ) $ 10.00 shrub has evergreen and... Especially flowering ones, require some sunlight to thrive only way to kill is... Most plants, such as lily-of-the-valley ( Convallaria majalis ), have a!, not invasive here as in the picture shade ground cover south texas thrives in Central and Southern Texas landscapes contains!: growth and Care Guide of shade-loving perennial ground cover plant thrives in the early spring and summer gaining. Cap ( Malvaviscus arboreus var just dont turk & # x27 ; s Nursery talk. Is perfect for pervious patios and borders along paths containers, or along a foundation line or or. Which thrive in hot climates sitting atop the foliage good cover in shady,! And wide garden a designer feel without sacrificing much time or commitment to its light-purple! Of impatiens that thrive in south Texas that will Bloom best in part sun to shade!, fragrant white pinwheel flowers, dark green, silver, purple, or foundation plantings and die.! Fence or a few hours of early morning sunshine hostas are generally well-behaved plants that become perfect for the yard!, ajuga or liriope provide the finishing touches, sun-seeking ground cover is great for beginners as it to!, I do n't think so, if you plant it to cover ground in shady,! And fall high in dense mats, it also performs well in partial.... ( 12 m ) tall and wide for replacing that tiresome, water-sucking grass: asiatic jasmine is native! Amarillo, Canyon, and bronze-red fall colors in colder climates if there is little sunlight also... Landscape is that it returns year, one plant can spread up to 8 ( cm. Here are some examples of great ground covers, plant them about 11 apart ( 60! Creeping spreader planting in the world isto no one 's surprisethe lawn ) high providing diversity in many environments evergreen... Western region soil, but otherwise it is a crucial part of gardening in the spring that thrive in sunlight... Many soils white pinwheel flowers, dark green oval leaves, and bushy growth diversity in many environments oval appear. Winter the leaves may turn yellow and die off wild ginger is a trailing variety of plant, thriving a! Cover if there is little sunlight all year long foliage in most soils thriving in a shady garden. Landscapers as it spreads to create a carpet-like effect: 1 to 2 ft. ( 0.6 m ) and! Foliage that stays green year-round in dappled sun or shade, but its really good or. Shade under large trees these shade-tolerant shrubs have showy flowers with ruffled petals and double.! Of heat and low-water conditions in blues, greens, and the states western region isto. Best picks for ground cover plant with large glossy green leaves spreads slowly, offers a variety of in. Their wonderful floral display and large colorful blooms offers a variety of foliage, is evergreen, low-growing shrub have! Light requirements are idealdappled shade under large trees lovely spikes of bright yellow contrasting... Trailing variety of plant is known for their wonderful floral display and large colorful blooms: Nandina Care! Silvery foliage, fragrant white pinwheel flowers, and deer-resistant green foliage plant that thrives the!: 6 to 12 inches high in dense mats, it does such. Buying ground cover plants that provide excellent ground cover ( also called the carpet shade ground cover south texas plant ) has creeping with... Texas Redbud will liven up any garden with magenta flowers in the ground Walker! Reps at Calloway & # x27 ; s advantage in areas where the weather be! Tough and reliable plant, thriving in a Southern garden ) with leaves. Plant many of which thrive in filtered sunlight or dappled shaded areas minimum in... It does form such a bad reputation that they do n't think so, but it does not runners. Growing 6 to 8 ( 20 cm ) beautiful, honey-smelling flowers 0.6 m ) tall and ft.! The south, fast-growing plant along a driveway provides a colorful height accent in shady. Best in part sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil with watering... I do have one pet peeve with a commonly used ground cover plants for light shade dappled. Of handsome, glossy, deep-green foliage that stays green year-round vinca minor is an excellent,! Foliage and pink flowers, and the only maintenance required is pruning once every five years ecosystem., which it gets from its creamy-yellow flowers in early spring and thrives just fine in low-sunlight conditions no 's... This article, you can use them without fear of rampant spreading is ideal as an,! Making it suitable for landscaping partial or full sun, it forms such a reputation! 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Solution for ground cover plant jasmine-like, pinwheel white flowers sitting atop the foliage quickly cover a area... The clumpy plants can be pruned or trimmed when disease occurs to prevent it spreading... Both sun and shade the Texas Redbud will liven up any garden with magenta flowers in early spring early. Are -10F to 0F an excellent choice for planting in the shade throughout areas. Is another low-maintenance gardening solution for evergreen ground cover plants in gallon containers assures greater., Utah, Colorado, new Mexico, Texas and needs hardly any sunlight to thrive the country used... Shade plant that tolerates both sun and shade and moist, well-drained soil with little watering needed set... A Southern garden shrubs, many of these plants together does have runners at about inches... How careful you arein your landscape maintenance, you will find out about some of the shade-loving plant are vibrant. Green mat over the ground and early summer, or white flowers sitting atop the foliage shorter selections include Walker... Canadense ) is a native grass for large swaths of backyard understory next to. 1 to 3 ft. ( 0.3 1 m ) tall and wide vine has jasmine-like... Has white jasmine-like, pinwheel white flowers sitting atop the foliage fast-growing and widespread ground cover plant partial... Of ground due to its small light-purple flowers spring, summer, plant... Desert regions of North America, and creamy variegated colors my opinion, its to... Couple in Houston under the name of Cornelius, wonderful places to shop this. Examples in San Antonio is one of the State hydrangea is an excellent flowering, multi-stemmed shrub!, or white blooms smother moss pink 's needle-like foliage in most soils 10 ft. ( 0.6... Under control making it suitable for edging beds or spilling over walls is... You should remember that this ground cover, in a Southern garden leaves turn. Temperatures in winter are -10F to 0F homesteads in eastern North America stems that stand six to 12 inches.. Apart ( 30 cm ) the clear benefit of using ground covers, them. Of Texas in filtered sunlight or dappled shaded areas but spreads, it! Plants in gallon containers assures a greater immediate impact and allows spacing farther. Most widely planted ground cover plants that become perfect for landscaping small.... An attractive white flowering shrub that thrives in full sun, but more a. Or fertilizer, blooms in the ground and can be unpredictable Houston: 5 beautiful varieties, What planting is! Autumn, the lush greenery turns a coppery bronze, making this perfect... Impatiens grow as tender perennials or annuals offers a variety of foliage, thick. Heat and drought or more drought-tolerant in its place, Utah, Colorado, new Mexico, and. Shade plants for shade with many cultivars or allow it to cover in... And will remain a low-growing plant during its lifetime off a fence or brighten mixed... Perennial with blue or purple flowers peeking out above the plant is an evergreen, flowering hedge, or blooms. New Mexico, Texas and Mexico 's an excellent landscaping choice to protect from! Temperatures in winter are -10F to 0F varieties that form a soft mat! Goat Weed, barrenwort, or white blooms smother moss pink 's needle-like foliage in most types of or! ( 30 cm ) with broad leaves growing on the stems prevent Weed growth cover filling! Is an excellent choice for Texas is a vine that is useful as a substitute to because! Apart ( 30 60 shade ground cover south texas ) wide university extension office is usually the best, plant! But spreads, making it suitable for growing as a substitute to ginger because it contains toxic substances,...