Shady spots under trees and shrubs don’t have to be problem areas. With the right ground covers, they can become some of the most enchanting parts of your garden—lush, low-maintenance, and full of life. From shimmering foliage to delicate blooms, these standout picks are ready to turn bare patches into beautiful highlights.
1. Creeping Phlox
A master at turning bare patches into floral showcases, Creeping Phlox is a low-maintenance favorite among gardeners.
Its vibrant blooms cover the ground in spring, showing off colors like pink, purple, and white. Low-growing and hardy, it thrives in sunny spots but does well in partial shade too. Plant it to fill gaps under trees, where its lush foliage and charming flowers can truly shine.
Not only does it add a splash of color, but it also helps prevent soil erosion. Consider this cheerful ground cover for a colorful, low-maintenance garden addition.
2. Vinca Minor
Vinca Minor, known for its glossy green leaves and periwinkle blue flowers, is a robust choice for shaded areas. This evergreen ground cover spreads quickly, creating a lush carpet that suppresses weeds.
It blooms in spring, adding a pop of color to your garden. Ideal for under trees where little else grows, Vinca Minor is easy to care for and requires minimal upkeep.
This plant not only beautifies but also stabilizes soil. Perfect for those seeking a reliable, attractive solution for tricky shady spots.
3. Ajuga Reptans
Perfect for shady spots, Bugleweed (Ajuga Reptans) offers a burst of deep hues and lush texture that transforms underused areas.
Its deep blue-purple spikes rise above glossy, dark green leaves, creating a striking contrast. This fast-spreading perennial is perfect for filling empty spaces beneath trees. Ajuga’s low maintenance nature and ability to thrive in shade make it a gardener’s dream.
It also attracts pollinators, adding life to your garden. Use Ajuga Reptans to transform those bare spots into a vibrant, textured oasis teeming with color and interest.
4. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff enchants with its delicate white flowers and sweet fragrance. It prefers shaded, moist areas, making it perfect for under trees and shrubs.
The whorls of light green leaves create a soft, lush carpet that adds elegance to any spot. Not only does it look good, but it also offers a lovely scent, especially when crushed.
This ground cover is low maintenance, thrives in shady spots, and can even be used in potpourris. Sweet Woodruff transforms ordinary garden spaces into delightful retreats.
5. Lamium Maculatum
With its silver-splashed leaves and soft blooms, Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum) adds both charm and adaptability to shady gardens.
Its silver leaves and pink or purple flowers make it a standout choice for shaded areas. Thriving under trees and shrubs, it grows quickly, covering bare spots with ease.
This plant is not only beautiful but also hardy, withstanding dry spells and poor soil. It provides color and texture year-round, requiring minimal care. Lamium Maculatum is the perfect blend of beauty and resilience for your garden.
6. Hosta
Hostas are popular shade-loving plants known for their impressive foliage. Their large, lush leaves come in various shades of green, often with white or yellow variegation.
Hostas also produce beautiful spikes of white or lavender flowers in summer. Ideal for planting under trees, they add texture and depth to any garden. Easy to care for and long-lived, Hostas are a favorite among gardeners.
They create a serene, green backdrop that complements other plants and brightens shaded areas effortlessly.
7. Epimedium
Combining toughness with charm, this shade-loving perennial offers season-long interest with its foliage and spring flowers.
The foliage turns a stunning red in fall, adding seasonal interest. It’s perfect for planting under trees where it fills spaces beautifully without competing for nutrients. This resilient ground cover is tolerant of drought and poor soil, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.
Epimedium brings a touch of the exotic with its unique appearance and ability to thrive in difficult spots.
8. Pachysandra
Known for its ability to form a thick, evergreen mat, this classic shade-lover delivers year-round greenery. This evergreen ground cover thrives in deep shade, making it ideal for areas under trees and shrubs.
It spreads steadily, forming a lush carpet that suppresses weeds. Pachysandra is low maintenance, requiring little care once established. Its small white flowers appear in spring, adding a subtle touch of elegance.
For those seeking a reliable, attractive ground cover for challenging spots, Pachysandra is a great option.
9. Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is renowned for its sweet fragrance and charming bell-shaped flowers. This perennial excels in shady areas, making it perfect for planting under trees and shrubs.
Its broad green leaves provide a lush backdrop, while the fragrant flowers bloom in spring. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s a tough plant that spreads readily.
Lily of the Valley is both beautiful and practical, offering ground cover that’s both fragrant and functional. It brings elegance and scent to any garden space.
10. Ferns
Few plants evoke woodland charm like ferns, with their graceful, arching fronds bringing texture and movement to the shade.
They create a woodland feel, perfect under trees and shrubs. Ferns thrive in low light and add a textured, green backdrop to any area. With minimal care, these perennials return year after year. They’re ideal for filling gaps where little else grows.
Ferns not only beautify but also help maintain a cool, moist environment for other shade-loving plants. This makes them a versatile choice for enhancing shaded garden spaces.
11. Heuchera
Heuchera, or Coral Bells, is celebrated for its vibrant foliage that comes in shades of red, purple, and green. This hardy perennial thrives in shaded areas, making it perfect for planting under trees.
Its striking leaves add color and texture all year round, while delicate flowers appear in summer. Heuchera is low maintenance and drought tolerant, making it a favorite among gardeners.
It’s excellent for adding a splash of color and interest to those tricky shaded spots in your garden.
12. Tiarella
Delicate yet dependable, this native perennial lights up the shade with starry white flowers and intricate foliage. This perennial thrives in shady areas, making it ideal for planting under trees and shrubs.
Tiarella’s foliage often features unique patterns, adding visual interest even when not in bloom. It’s easy to care for and spreads gently, creating a lush carpet.
This ground cover is perfect for those seeking beauty and ease in their garden. Tiarella offers a touch of elegance and whimsy to shaded spaces, enhancing any garden design.
13. Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria, or Lungwort, is known for its spotted leaves and vibrant blue and pink flowers. This hardy perennial thrives in shady spots, providing color and texture beneath trees.
Its foliage is evergreen, adding interest year-round. Pulmonaria is low maintenance, requiring little care once established. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and attractive ground cover.
The unique appearance of its leaves and flowers makes it a standout in any garden. Pulmonaria transforms shaded areas with its charm and resilience.
14. Hellebore
Known for blooming when little else dares, Hellebores offer a quiet beauty that signals the changing seasons.
It thrives in shaded gardens, making it perfect for under trees. Hellebore’s evergreen foliage adds interest even when it’s not in bloom. This plant is hardy and low maintenance, tolerating a variety of conditions. Its unique, nodding flowers bring elegance to any garden.
Hellebore is a wonderful choice for those seeking year-round beauty and resilience in shaded spaces, brightening them with its captivating blooms.
15. Brunnera Macrophylla
Brunnera Macrophylla, or Siberian Bugloss, delights with its heart-shaped leaves and vivid blue flowers. Thriving in shaded areas, it’s perfect for planting beneath trees.
The foliage often features silver markings, adding interest even when not flowering. This perennial is easy to care for and provides a lush, textured look.
Brunnera is a fantastic choice for those who want to add color and texture to their shaded garden spots. It offers a touch of charm and elegance, enhancing any garden design beautifully.
16. Creeping Jenny
This glowing ground cover thrives in sun or shade, its golden leaves creating a vibrant tapestry wherever it grows. This hardy perennial thrives in shaded areas, making it an excellent choice for planting under trees and shrubs.
Its trailing habit creates a lush, cascading effect, brightening any space. Creeping Jenny is easy to maintain, spreading quickly to cover bare ground.
It offers a pop of color and texture, enhancing the visual appeal of your garden. Perfect for those seeking a low-maintenance, eye-catching ground cover for shady spots.