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It is not easy to find suitable plants, especially for areas under trees that form a dense canopy of leaves. This is why unsightly bare spots form in many gardens, which are then colonized by weeds or mosses. It doesn't have to be, because there are also a number of plants that are suitable as ground cover for these shady locations. We have put together for you which plants do well in shaded areas.
site conditions
Beds and areas on walls or under trees are mostly shady. However, not all shadows are created equal.
light shadow
There is a bed in the light shade when the sun's rays and shorter periods of shade alternate constantly. This phenomenon is often observed under a canopy of trees with long, soft branches, such as birch or willow. A bamboo hedge also lets some scattered light through. The same plants that also feel comfortable in partial shade grow in these places. Locations that receive less than four hours of sunshine a day are referred to as light shadows.
Ground cover, low-maintenance species for the garden
full shade
Areas in the garden that receive little direct sunlight throughout the day are in full shade. Such a location is often found under conifers, on the north side of a tall building, or under evergreen shrubs such as rhododendrons. Plants such as ferns, hostas or evergreens still grow even in deep shade.
plant selection
Many ground covers have their natural range in shady locations under deciduous trees. When the trees aren't yet in leaf early in the year, these plants take advantage of the time when the spring sun hits the ground. They grow quickly and form pretty flowers as early as March. Others defy the poor light conditions all year round.
Examples of areas in the garden that receive little sun are:
- wood edge
- shade garden
- under bushes and trees
- on the north wall of the house
As a rule, plants that grow in shady locations prefer slightly moist, nutrient-rich garden soil. Some ground covers also tolerate it if the soil is rather wet or slightly dry.
ground cover
Properties of ground covers
Groundcovers are called low-growing or creeping shrubs as well as cushion- or carpet-forming perennials that cover the garden floor. The most beautiful are those ground covers that form a lush abundance of flowers and thus bring special highlights to the darker corners of the garden. But ornamental leaf perennials, especially evergreen species, are a particularly good choice for shady spots. Not only do they displace weeds, they also protect the soil from erosion.
Blooming
Flowering perennials and dwarf shrubs
Flowering groundcovers not only provide pretty splashes of color in the garden and connect larger elements or plants to others. They transform even difficult locations that are difficult to access or in intense shade into decorative beds and borders. So that the ground cover remains easy to care for, you should select species that are perennial and hardy.
Anemone (Anemona)
- many different varieties (autumn anemone, forest anemone)
- clumpy, upright growth
- Flowers usually in white or pink tones
- Growth height: 20-80 cm depending on the variety
Balkan Anemone, Anemone blanda
Mountain forest cranesbill (Geranium nodosum 'Silverwood')
- brightens even dark locations
- undemanding
- silver-white flowers from June to October
- Growth height: 30 cm
cranesbill
Wood Anemone (Anemona nemorosa)
- suitable for naturalising
- white flowers in March/April
- tripartite, lobed foliage
- withdraws after flowering
- Growth height: up to 15 cm
wood anemone
monkshood (Aconium napellus)
- upright growth, clump-forming
- pinnate, green leaves
- poisonous
- helmet-shaped flowers from July to August
- Height of growth: up to 1 m (including flower clusters)
- 6-7 plants per m²
Monkshood, Aconitum napellus
Elf Flower (Epimedium)
- hardy, hardy perennial
- white, yellow, pink or red blooms in April and May
- Partial shade to shady
- Epimedium grandiflorum: creamy white flowers
- Epimedium versicolor 'Elf Queen': evergreen
- Epimedium 'Rose Queen': dark pink flowers
elf flower
Angelica (Angelica gigas)
- impressive flowering perennial with red flowers
- reliably suppresses weeds
- blooms even in the shade
- Flowering period: June to August
- Growth height: 1-2 m (including flowers)
- 1 plant per m²
Angelica archangelica, medicinal angelica, real angelica
Crawling Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
- very easy-care perennial for sun and shade
- Spike-shaped, blue flowers in April/May
- mostly evergreen
- Growth height: 20 cm
- 7-9 plants per m²
crawling bugle
Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis)
- very hardy plant
- produces blue flowers even in light shade (March-April)
- lobed foliage with reddish shoots
- Growth height: up to 15 cm
- 25 plants per m²
Hepatica, Hepatica transsilvanica
Larkspur (Corydalis flexuosa)
- impressive blue flowers
- Flowering time from spring to autumn
- dense, dark green foliage
- Growth height: 15-30 cm
Hollow Corydalis, Corydalis cava
Lip mouth (Mazus reptans)
- very adaptable (sunny to shady)
- Soil: sandy-humic, rather dry
- purple-blue, butterfly-like flowers (May to July)
- Growth height: 10-20 cm
Lip mouths, Mazus reptans
Whitsun violet (Viola sororia)/scented violet (Viola odorata)
- spring bloomers
- white or purple flowers
- rounded, dull green leaves
- Ground cover for smaller areas in the shade
- Growth height: up to 20 cm
- 15 plants per m²
violet, viola
Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)
- Wild perennial, forest plant
- all parts of the plant are poisonous
- large, oblong leaves
- tubular, pendulous flowers from May to June (fragrant)
- Growth height: up to 50 cm
- 10-12 plants per m²
Solomon's seal with small white flowers
Silver Cohosh (Cimicifuga ramosa)
- lush, feathery foliage during the growing season
- candle-like flowers, lightly scented
- for planting tall trees
- reaches heights of growth of 1.8 m
- 1 plant per m²
Silver Cohosh, Cimicifuga ramosa
Saxifrage/Bergenia (Bergenia)
- undemanding (suitable for almost all locations)
- thick, green or green-red foliage
- richly flowering, umbels of flowers in April/May
- not too wet
- Growth height: between 20 and 50 cm depending on the variety
Bergenia, Bergenia
Masterwort (Astrantia major)
- flowering perennial
- Flowering period: June to September
- lush green, rosette-shaped leaves
- goes well with dark-leaved perennials
- Growth height: 50-60 cm
Great masterwort, Astrantia major
Carpet Spire (Astilbe chinensis var. pumila)
- ideal for underplanting
- pink or purple flowers from August to September
- Growth height: 20 cm
Royal spars, Astilbe
Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)
- native wild perennial
- very adaptable
- Soil: moist, not too wet in winter
- yellowish, purple or white flowers
- Growth height: 20-60 cm
Lamium purpureum, purple deadnettle
evergreen
Evergreen/evergreen varieties
Especially in winter, when the rest of the garden is in a rather dreary state, evergreen ground covers can transform beds and areas into beautiful zones in the garden. In addition, the listed plants do little work because they are very hardy and therefore do not even need protection from cold temperatures in autumn.
fat man (Pachysandra terminalis)
- also called shadow green or Ysander
- carpet-like dwarf shrub
- Flowers: numerous spike flowers from April to May
- Growth height: 20 cm
- 7-9 plants per m²
Pachysandra terminalis, fat man
Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver')
- Leaves green and white/silver
- is considered a leaf ornamental perennial
- pink-violet flowers in May/June
- Growth height: 15-20 cm
Golden nettle, Lamium galeobdolon
Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
- forms long, rooted stolons
- purple-blue flowers from April to May
- Growth height: 15 cm
Lesser periwinkle, Vinca minor
Crawling Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
- different leaf colors (green, multicolored, red-leaved)
- Growth height: 10-25 cm
- Flowers in April to June
Creeping bugle, Ajuga reptans
Porcelain Flower (Saxifraga × urbium)
- forms a dense carpet with many rosettes
- star-shaped flowers on panicles (May-June)
- nutrient-poor, rocky soils
- Growth height: 5-20 cm
Turf Saxifrage, Saxifraga rosacea
Red carpet berry (Gaultheria procumbens)
- also known as the low berry
- creeping dwarf shrub
- light pink flowers from July to August
- very decorative red fruits in autumn
- for the light shadow area
- Growth height: 5-20 cm
Red carpet berry
Foam flowers (Tiarella)
- forms flat carpets with above-ground runners
- fresh, acidic soil, shady
- Flower: white or cream from April to May
- fresh green foliage, turning bronze in fall
- Growth height: 10-20 cm
Foam flower, Tiarella
Shadowbell (Pieris japonica)
- broad, bushy shrub with dense growth
- The 'Mountain Fire' variety with dark red leaf sprouting is particularly attractive
- mostly white flowers (panicle flowers) from March to April
- Growth height: 40-80 cm
White variegated shadowbell, Pieris japonica
Carpet St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum)
- ground covering discount perennial
- large, golden yellow flowers from June to August
- oblong, evergreen leaves
- Growth height: up to 30 cm
- 7-9 plants per m²
John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
Waldsteinia (Waldsteinia geoides)
- round, three- to five-lobed leaves
- cupped, yellow flowers from April to June
- Growth height: up to 30 cm
- 10-12 plants per m²
Waldsteinia, Waldsteinia ternata
grasses
Normally we only know grasses for sunny or partially shaded areas in the garden. However, there are also a number of grasses that do well in areas that are shaded.
Gold sedge 'Evergold' (Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold')
- Use as ornamental grass
- brightly colored, arching, overhanging leaves
- especially nice for dark corners due to the golden yellow central stripe
- Growth height: up to 30 cm
- 3-5 plants per m²
Blue-green sedge
Colorful Japanese sedge (Carex morwi 'Variegata')
- yellow-green striped culms
- slightly overhanging
- tolerates root pressure under old trees
- wintergreen
- Growth height: 30-40 cm
Carex morrowii, Japanese sedge
Wood Marbel (Luzula sylvatica)
- native ornamental grass
- playful inflorescences up to 40 cm high in April/May
- dark green, very broad foliage
- beautiful contrast in combination with ornamental leaf perennials
- Growth height: 30 cm
- 7-9 plants per m²
Wood Marbel, Luzula sylvatica
hardwearing
Sturdy ground cover
Many a gardener would like to replace plants where grass grows very poorly because they are too shady with walkable groundcover. However, one should keep in mind that most ground-covering shrubs and perennials are only partially step-resistant. If the areas are used regularly for walking or playing, bare tracks quickly appear.
Flat-growing carpet medlar (Cotoneaster dammeri radicans)
- adaptable dwarf shrub
- grows very fast and flat
- good tread
- small white flowers in May/June
- decorative red berries in autumn
- Growth height: 10-20 cm
- 5-6 plants per m²
Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster
Golden Strawberry (Waldsteinia ternata)
- comes from the sparse forests of Europe
- evergreen and hardy
- yellow flowers from April to May
- Growth height: maximum 20 cm
Waldsteinia, Waldsteinia ternata
creeping spindle (Euonymus fortunei)
- Single or multicolored (variegated) varieties available
- dwarf shrub with dense, small leaves
- Growth height: 5-15 cm
- 6-7 plants per m²
Spindle tree, Euonymus europaeus
Hazel root (Asarum europaeum)
- kidney-shaped, firm leaves, evergreen
- Growth height: 5 to 20 cm
- Flowers: inconspicuous, brown (March - April)
- also tolerates shady places
Hazel root, Asarum europaeum
Spring Commemorative (Omphalodes verna)
- adaptable area cover
- semi-shady or shady
- sky blue flowers (April/May)
- Growth height: 10 cm
- 15-17 plants per m²
Omphalodes verna, spring memorial, spring umbilicus
ornamental leaf perennials
Leaf ornamental perennials as ground cover
The shade garden is the realm of ornamental foliage plants. With their attractive foliage, these perennials form dense carpets without spreading too quickly. All listed ground covers are perennial and hardy. Hostas and ferns are among the important ornamental foliage perennials for shady places. But there are many more beautiful foliage perennials.
Funkie (Hosta)
With their clumpy growth, hostas form underground rhizomes with which they form a wide carpet over the years. Their oval, glossy leaves are variegated, depending on the variety, light or dark green, blue-green or whitish-green. While dwarf hostas only reach a height of 10 cm, giant hostas grow up to half a meter high.
- Yellow-leaved hosta (Hosta sieboldiana 'August Moon'): yellowish foliage, up to 60 cm high
- Hosta 'Patriot': green leaves with a white border, growth height up to 50 cm
- Dwarf hosta (Hosta minor): up to 10 cm tall, dark green foliage
Yellow-green hosta 'Gold Standard'
Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
- smells pleasant in the flowering period (April/May)
- also like it very shady
- edible
- Growth height: 10-30 cm
Galium odoratum, woodruff, bedstraw
Elf Flower perralchicum 'Frohnleiten' (Epimedium perralchicum 'Frohnleiten')
- fresh green foliage with reddish veins, shoots and autumn colours
- yellow flowers from April to May
- Growth height: up to 40 cm
Elfflower perralchicum, Epimedium perralchicum
Lily cluster (Liriope muscari)
- grassy growth, evergreen
- lavender umbels of flowers in autumn
- Growth height: up to 40 cm
- winter protection in severe frosts
- 15 plants per m²
Lily cluster, Liriope muscari
Little goat's beard (Aruncus aethusifolius)
- feathery foliage
- reddish autumn colour
- voluminous panicles of flowers
- Growth height: 80 cm
Little goat's beard, Aruncus aethusifolius
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
- little-known, native wild perennial
- pink, white or blue flowers
- partly mottled foliage
- Growth height: 10-40 cm
Italian lungwort, Pulmonaria saccharata
Foam Flower (Tiarella wherry)
- clump-forming perennial
- serrated, strong light green leaves
- white to pink flower clusters in May to June
- Growth height: up to 35 cm
- 10-12 plants per m²
Foam Blossom, Tiarella Spring Symphony
Carpet dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
- rare dogwood species with carpet-like growth
- fresh green leaves, reddish in autumn
- evergreen in mild climates
- greenish flowers in May to June
- Growth height: 15-20 cm
- 7-9 plants per m²
Cornus, dogwood, hornbush
Forest goat's beard (Arunculus dioicus)
- large, bipinnate leaves
- pretty spikes of creamy white flowers from June to July
- nice eye catcher
- Growth height: up to 1.5 m
Forest goat's beard, Arunculus dioicus
full shade plants
Some plants also tolerate the full shade in the garden. As a rule, these ground covers are very sensitive to the sun. In partially shaded places they wither immediately.
Spring Commemorative (Omphalodes verna)
- areal spread by offshoots
- single, white flowers in April/May
- Growth height: 5-10 cm
- 14 plants per m²
Commemoration, Omphalodes verna
Tailed hazel (Asarum caudatum)
- green, heart-shaped leaves
- deciduous
- tolerates moist and moderately dry locations
- very sensitive to treading
- Growth height: 15-20 cm
- 9-12 plants per m²
Tailed hazel, Asarum caudatum
ferns
Ferns are among the typical shade plants. They should not be missing in any shade garden. Some particularly beautiful varieties are those listed below.
Filigree fern (Polystichum setiferum)
- soft, finely feathered fronds
- partly evergreen
- high humidity
- Growth height: up to 50 cm
- 2-3 plants per m²
Tsushima shield fern, Polystichum tsus-simense
Glossy fern (Polystichum aculeatum)
- evergreen fern for shade beds
- doubly pinnate, long fronds
- high humidity
- Growth height: up to 80 cm
- 4-5 plants per m²
Glossy fern, Polystichum aculeatum
Goldscale Fern (Dryopteris affinis)
- pinnate, dark green glossy leaves
- mostly evergreen
- native, very robust fern
- Growth height: up to 1 m
Goldscale fern, Dryopteris affinis
Stag's Tongue Fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium)
- one of the few ferns with featherless leaves
- wintergreen
- loves calcareous, humus-stony soils
- beautiful in combination with spars and anemones
- Growth height: up to 50 cm
- 7-9 plants per m²
Stag's tongue fern, Phyllitis scolopendrium
Japanese Rainbow Fern (Athyrium niponicum Metallicum)
- Beauty with metallic gray fronds
- rather acidic garden soil
- Winter protection necessary
- Growth height: up to 40 cm
- 6-7 plants per m²
Japanese rainbow fern, Athyrium niponicum metallicum
Pearl fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
- spreads very quickly through rhizomes
- perfect for shady swamp beds or water edges, wet
- Growth height: up to 50 cm
- 7-9 plants per m²
Pearl fern, Onoclea sensibilis
Red veil fern (Dryopteris erythrosora var. prolifica)
- reddish bud
- wintergreen
- high humus requirement
- Growth height: 50-75 cm
- 3-5 plants per m²
Red veil fern, Dryopteris erythrosora var. prolifica
Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris or orientalis)
- multi-pinnate fronds
- Growth height: up to 1 m
- 1-2 plants per m²
Ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris
Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)
- undemanding species, well suited for beginners
- well adaptable
- Growth height up to 80 cm
- 2-3 plants per m²
Male Fern, Dryopteris filix-mas