Groundcover Recommendations for a Shade Soaked Culvert

I have a shade-soaked culvert that runs through our property. Can you suggest an attractive ground cover that needs little maintenance and will help control weeds?

Start with a quick call to your local municipality. Ask about any regulations related to planting this area. If planting is allowed, consider using native sedges (Carex) for the area. Most of these grass-like plants will tolerate the shade and moisture conditions. Indian sweetgrass (Hierchloe odorata) is a native plant that grows 6 to 8 inches tall and will seed and fill the area fairly quickly. Sweetgrass prefers a full sun but will tolerate partial shade. More conventional groundcovers such as barren strawberry (Walsteinia ternate) and moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia) are fast, low growing perennials. Avoid using moneywort near natural waterways and wetlands as it can be invasive. You will need to control the weeds for the first few years until the groundcovers fill in.