16 Best Flowering Ground Covers for Shade
Plant flowering ground covers for shade gardens when growing grass under trees fails. Searching for a garden solution to a problematic bare garden area? Consider ground covers as an option for covering bare spots where grass just won’t grow. In fact, ground covers can address several common garden problems.
Flowering ground covers for shade covered yards can solve troublesome bare yard spots. If you are looking for ideas for those troublesome bare garden areas in your yard, consider ground covers. Ground covers can be the solution to those tricky bare soil garden spots where grass just won’t grow.
Plant ground covers on slopes, banks, and across small to large garden areas. Ground covers help retain moisture and soil. Some ground covers can even prevent erosion of nutrient rich topsoil. They aid in weed suppression while adding texture and color to the garden. And many ground covers have minimal maintenance once they are established.
Take a look at these 16 flowering ground covers for shady garden areas. And be sure to let us know what you think.
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Violet, Pansy
Some Violas are sweetly scented. They thrive in woodland settings, in shady gardens, or under partly sunny garden spots. Violas will fill in between pavers, around stone walls, and slopes.
Etain Violet
Sweetly fragrant yellow and lavender colors, Etain Violet blooms all Summer long. Pale lemon extra large blooms with lavender margins are a clump-forming variety. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full shade. Reaches 6 to 8 inches tall with a spread of 10 to 14 inches wide. Blooms early Summer to late Fall. Plant in window boxes or any cool, moist, shady garden area.
Halo Violet
Also commonly named as the Halo Horned Violet, Horned Pansy, and Tufted Violet. Halo Violet is a compact, sweet smelling fragrant evergreen ground cover. Blooms are larger dark purple flowers. Grows in zones 5 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 8 to 10 inches tall with a spread of 6 to 12 inches wide. Blooms early Spring until Fall. Attract butterflies and is resistant to deer. Tolerant of heat conditions. Plant in containers, small garden spaces, or en masse.
Queen Charlotte Violet
An evergreen ground cover commonly known as Sweet Violet. Extremely fragrant Queen Charlotte violet with deepest violet flowers in Spring. Foliage are heart-shaped evergreen leaves. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in mostly shady to sunny. Reaches 6 inches tall. Blue blooms appear in early thru late Spring. Tolerates normal, clay, or acidic soil conditions. Attracts Butterflies. Tolerates shade garden conditions. Plant in containers. Or plant under shrubs.
2. Lamium – Flowering Ground Covers for Shade
Lamium is commonly called Spotted Dead Nettle. A ground cover to brighten a shady garden spot. Attractive foliage that does well in colder climates. Once established, tolerant of dry conditions.
Beacon Silver Lamium
A silvery ground cover for dry shade. Highlights shady areas with its tidy silvery leaves that is pest free. Beacon Silver Lamium grows to a dense mat covered with bright low spikes of lavender-pink blooms. Grows in zones 5 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 6 to 8 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 20 inches wide. Blooms in the Summer.
Pink Pewter Lamium
Produces masses of small, tubular soft pink flowers. Pink Pewter has scalloped blue-green margins with shimmering silvery centers. Grows in zones 3 to 8 in full shade to mostly sunny. Reaches 6 inches tall. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Tolerates normal or clay soil conditions. Plant on a slope or bank as a ground cover. Resistant to rabbits and deer. Tolerant of shade and dry shade conditions. Plant along with Hosta and Ferns.
White Nancy Lamium – Flowering Ground Covers for Shade
Milky white clusters of small, hooded flowers appear in late Spring and partly in the Summer. Silvery leaves with narrow green margins are striking. White Nancy Lamium grows in zones 3 to 8 in full shade to mostly sunny. Reaches 6 inches tall. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Tolerates normal or clay soil conditions. Plant on a slope or bank as a ground cover. Resistant to rabbits and deer. Tolerant of shade and dry shade conditions. A great addition to an all-white garden.
3. Alexander’s Great Brunnera
Delicate blue flowers appear in early Spring. The foliage of Alexander’s Great Brunnera are large heart-shaped leaves. Grows in zones 3 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 12 to 18 inches tall with a spread of 24 to 30 inches wide. Blue blooms appear from early thru late Spring. Resistant to rabbits and deer. Tolerates normal or sandy soil conditions. Prefers moist soil but tolerates drought conditions once it is established.
4. Ground Cover Dogwood
Blooms are cream colored. The Ground Cover Dogwood blooms then produces edible berries. Grows in zone 2 to 6 in part shade and part Sun. Reaches 3 to 9 inches tall with a spread of 6 to 12 inches. Blooms late Spring to mid Summer. Winter hardy native perennial, with colorful Fall foliage. Attract birds.
5. Mayflower
Mayflower or Trailing Arbutus is a fragrant native woodland flower. Blooms are sweet-scented pink pastel. Grows in zones 3 to 7 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall with a spread of up to 24 inches wide. Resistant to deer and attracts butterflies. Likes sandy, normal, moist and wet, or acidic soil conditions.
6. Dwarf Crested Iris
Dwarf Crested Iris blooms are lilac color. Grows in zones 5 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 4 to 8 inches tall with a spread of 6 to 12 inches wide. Blooms from early thru late Spring. Bee friendly and resistant to deer. A native low growing perennial for either a rock garden or use as an alpine plant.
7. Purple Prairie Trillium
A native wildflower with mottled foliage. Purple Prairie Trillium blooms are purple color. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 12 to 18 inches tall with a spread of 6 to 12 inches wide. Blooms from mid to late Spring. Grows best in moist, well drained, humus rich, acid to neutral soil conditions. An early harbinger of Spring.
8. Gilt Edge Tricyrtis
Tricyrtis is commonly called a Toad Lily or an Arctic Orchid. Gilt Edge Tricyrtis has deep pink petals spotted in deep purple blooms. Hardy in zones 4-8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 20 to 24 inches in height and up to 30 inches in width. Blooms late Summer thru early Fall. Blooms are dark pink to dark purple. Tolerates shade and moisture. Plant tricyrtis along Hosta or Ferns.
9. Phlox – Flowering Ground Covers for Shade
Phlox creates a low-growing deep green mat of blooms in early Spring. Fills in the spaces around trees, slopes and banks. And will grow in difficult areas. Plant with woodland natives similar to Trillium, Heuchera, or Bloodroot.
Sherwood Purple Woodland Phlox
Sherwood Purple Woodland Phlox blooms are periwinkle bluish-purple Grows in zones 5 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 6 to 10 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 24 inches wide. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Purple blooms with woody stems have short lanceolate leaves evergreen. Attracts butterflies. Native woodland ground cover. Thrives in well drained, sandy soil conditions. Tolerates shade and drought conditions once established.
Home Fires Creeping Phlox
Fragrant blooms of bright-pink covers lush, deep-green foliage in the Spring. Home Fires Creeping Phlox grows in zones 3 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 4 to 6 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches wide. Blooms late Spring to early Summer. Native perennial that attracts butterflies and pollinators. Grows in sandy, loamy, clay, or moist/wet soil conditions. An early-season nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds. Drought tolerant once established. Deer and rabbit resistant. Cold hardy and heat tolerant.
Blue Moon Woodland Phlox – Flowering Ground Cover for Shade
Native ground cover with rich violet-blue blooms over green foliage. Blue Moon Phlox grows in zones 3 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 8 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 10 to 12 inches wide. Fragrant violet-blue blooms from early thru late Spring. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. A valuable source of early season nectar for hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies, and other pollinators. Resistant to deer. Cold hardy and tolerant of heat conditions. Plant in a rock garden or shady area.
10. Heuchera – Flowering Ground Covers for Shade
Heuchera is commonly known as Coral Bells. Coral bells offer an array of foliage color, texture, and shapes. Perfect for a shady or semi-shady garden area. Plant as edgers along garden beds. Dainty flowers appear on airy stems.
Black Taffeta Heuchera
Blooms are petite pink flower-spikes. Black Taffeta Heuchera has black foliaged that is ruffled and glossy. Evergreen foliage adds interest to the garden all year long. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 12 inches tall with a spread of 15 inches wide. Blooms late spring and early summer. Attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Tolerant of drought, heat, and humidity conditions. Plant with Hostas or ornamental grasses
Citronelle Heuchera
Blooms are creamy white blooms. The Citronelle Heuchera provides striking color as a ground cover. Grows in zones 4 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 12 to 18 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches wide. Blooms in the Summer. Resistant to deer and other small animals. Cold hardy and tolerates poor soil conditions.
Sweet Tea Heuchera – Flowering Ground Covers for Shade
Foliage colors are from golden, orange and red to brown and bronze. Sweet Tea Heuchera has striking color combinations. The level of Sun exposure determines the foliage color. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 20 inches tall with a spread of 28 inches wide. Cream and white blooms appear in late Spring. Foliage is a blend of bronze, brown, burgundy, copper, gold, orange, red, rose, and variegated color. Attracts butterflies. Resistant to deer, disease, and pests. Tolerant of drought, heat, and humidity conditions. Provides Winter interest to the garden.
11. Helleborus – Flowering Ground Covers for Shade
Helleborus is also known as a Lenten Rose. known for the early blooming and cup-shaped flowers. Herald the coming of Spring in shades of white, yellow, pink, maroon and soft green.
Honeymoon French Kiss Helleborus
Honeymoon French Kiss blooms are single white cup-shaped flowers lined with raspberry pink. Foliage is bushy clumps of thick evergreen leaves. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Blooms late Winter to mid Spring. Blooms are burgundy, cream, and white colors. Resistant to deer and pests. Tolerant of drought conditions. Provides Winter Interest in the garden. Use in floral arrangements or as cut flowers. Thrive in shady low light garden areas.
Pine Knots Strain Helleborus
An evergreen late Winter blooming perennial. Pine Knots Strain grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 12 to 18 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 18 inches wide. Bloom colors are a mix of green, pink, purple, red, white, yellow, black and mixed. Tolerates clay soils and, once established, can thrive despite poor soil fertility. Resistant to deer, pests and diseases. Tolerates heat, humidity, and cold conditions. Tolerant of drought conditions once established. Provides Winter Interest to the garden.
12. Rhododendron Flame Creeper
An evergreen ground cover creeper with intensely bright cherry-red to reddish-orange blooms. Rhododendron Flame Creeper grows in zones 6 to 9 in part shade and part Sun. Reaches 6 to 12 inches high and spreading 24 to 36 inches wide. It has small, dark green leaves and a heavy bloomer. Blooms in the Spring and in the Summer and Fall. Prefers acidic, loamy soil that is moist and well-drained. Resistant to disease, pest and deer. Tolerant of heat, humidity and sun.
13. Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma)
Plumbago is commonly known as Leadwort. Deep blue flowers with green foliage appear in late Summer. Foliage turns to burgundy red in the Fall. Grows in zones 5 to 9 in full shade to part shade/Sun to full Sun. Reaches 6 to 8 inches tall with a spread up to 18 inches wide. Blue blooms appear in early to mid Fall. Plant in sandy, clay, average, or in compost enriched garden loam soil conditions. A ground cover that attracts butterflies and is resistant to deer. Plant in containers. Use in mass plantings. Helps with erosion control. Once established, Hardy Plumbago is a drought resistant and Water Wise perennial.
14. Princess Diana Clematis
Dainty upright blooms are dark pink and lavender tulip-shaped flowers. Princess Diana Clematis grows in zones 4 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 6 to 8 feet tall with a spread of 3 feet wide. Blooms from mid Summer to early Fall. Loved by butterflies and hummingbirds. Native and makes an excellent companion to roses. Tolerant of humidity and heat conditions. Resistant to pests and disease. Cold Hardy.
15. Bella Blue Prunella
Spikes of violet-blue flowers appear on Bella Blue Prunella. Grows in zones 4 to 9 in full shade to part shade-Sun to full Sun. Reaches 6 to 8 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches wide. Blue to purple blooms appear in the Summertime. Attracts butterflies and is resistant to rabbits and deer. Plant in sandy, clay, average, or in compost enriched garden loam soil conditions.
16. Creeping Wintergreen for Shade Gardens
Light pink bell-shaped flowers appear in Spring. Foliage is freshly scented. Attractive scarlet berries appear after the blooms. Creeping Wintergreen grows in zones 3 to 8 in full shade to part shade and part Sun. Reaches 6 inches tall with a spread of 36 inches wide. Fragrant blooms are pink and white that appear in the Springtime. Berries appear after the blooming has finished. Berries attract birds. Foliage is burgundy and dark green. Blooms from late spring to late summer. Prefers acidic, moist to wet soil that is well-drained. An ornamental ground cover that provides foliage interest to the garden.
These are 16 flowering ground covers for a shady garden or yard area. Ground covers are useful plants that will solve a variety of garden problems. From weed control to soil retention with little maintenance once they are established. If you try any of these ground covers for shade gardens let us know how you make out.
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Mary
