Shady ground cover - Ask Extension
I'm looking for a ground cover to grow under 2 trees in my front yard under a dogwood and a Japanese red maple. They are both on the north side of my ...
Knowledgebase
Shady ground cover #554373
Asked April 19, 2019, 2:48 PM EDT
I'm looking for a ground cover to grow under 2 trees in my front yard under a dogwood and a Japanese red maple. They are both on the north side of my house so they are very shady areas. Currently I have bulbs (mostly daffodils) coming up under the trees. Someone gave me a few sweet woodruff plants and they look great there and are thriving for the one year since I planted them. Would sweet woodruff be a good ground cover at that location? If not, can you suggest another ground cover?
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Sweet woodruff does work well in a full-shade location with medium to wet soil moisture. The mulch layer will help to retain moisture, but you may need to water these plants in periods of drought. Make sure your mulch layer is no more than 2-3" deep and pull the mulch at least 6" away from the base of your tree.
If you are looking for additional groundcover choices, take a look at this page on our website. https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/groundcover-list
If deer are an issue in your area, there is a list of deer-resistant plants for shade on the second page of this publication. https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/Resources/Files/rainscapes/12_Deer_Resist_Plants.pdf
Christa
If you are looking for additional groundcover choices, take a look at this page on our website. https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/groundcover-list
If deer are an issue in your area, there is a list of deer-resistant plants for shade on the second page of this publication. https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/Resources/Files/rainscapes/12_Deer_Resist_Plants.pdf
Christa
