I have 3 junipers in my yard that endured so much snow and cold damage in 2005 that all the lowest branches died. We removed those branches and have been able to keep the trees growing but without branches that reach to the ground.

The three are much taller than our two-story house and, although the area beneath them receives a little bit of sunlight most days, the tiny area beneath them is too shady to keep grass growing (although tropical plants did very well there a couple of summers ago!).

I was all set to plant ground cover when I remembered that my dog - who refuses to walk in ground cover - depends on those trees to protect her when she has to go out to take care of business during rain or snow. I'm hoping you can suggest a grass or grass-like plant that grows in a mostly shady area but won't grow terribly high nor produce seed stalks that might hurt my dog between weekly summer mowings. My soil is mostly clay, so I'd like to know, too, what soil that plant would require. A sprinkler head that waters that area regularly during growing months.

If you can recommend anything, please also let me know where it is available for purchase.

Thanks very much.