I’m looking for a ground cover to plant under a pomegranate tree.  The tree is growing in front of a south-facing brick wall.  The site has full shade from the pomegranate in summer, but almost full sun in late fall, winter and spring when the tree has no leaves.  During the full sun period there is also considerable reflected heat from the wall.  There are strawberries there now, but they are not doing well.  They flower but don’t fruit and become quite sparse in the summer.  As the years have gone by the become more and more sparse overall.  Something low growing is desirable so I can put in stepping stones for moving about to prune and harvest.  I’ve thought about wintergreen, but I don’t know if it can tolerate the winter sun.

I planted this green gage in March 2024, and then dug it up and replanted it in May when we realized it was too deeply planted.  I am trying to keep the root flare exposed after likely over mulching around the tree.  Should I leave this open?  Replace the dirt and mulch?  Thanks!