• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
Groundcovers-for-a-Shady-Slope.jpg

Groundcovers for a Shady Slope

I have a shady slope under some trees where I can't get grass to grow.

The dense tree canopy prevents both light and moisture from reaching the soil and plants below. Add to this the competition for water and nutrients and you have a challenging situation. Try growing some drought and shade tolerant ground covers. Moneywort, deadnettle, wild ginger, some of the native sedges and variegated yellow archangel are a few plants that will tolerate these conditions. Consider leaving the dead grass in place to serve as a mulch. It will help hold the soil in place until the groundcovers become established. Mulch the plants with shredded bark to help conserve moisture and minimize weeds. You will need to water the first few season to help the plants quickly establish and develop drought tolerant root systems. But once established they should be able to tolerate these difficult conditions with minimal help from you. Plus you won't have to mow.

Related

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens

Register here

Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI

Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants

Register here

Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden

Register here

Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants

Register here

March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs

Register here

March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here


March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI

March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation

Register here

March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A

Register here

April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here


April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here


May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here


May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win 3 Collections of Longfield Gardens
Dahlia Bulbs

ENTER NOW