Alternatives to grass growing in the shade

Botanical Name
Aegopodium podagraria
'Variegatum'

Goutweed (low Angelica )

Persistent ground cover that spreads by rhizomes . Tolerates many soil types, deep shade to full sun ; Sears foliage in full sun . Planting areas contained to prevent from becoming invasive ; the cultivar ' Variegatum ' is the most sought after.

Ajuga reptans

Bugleweed ( Bugula )

Ground attractive foliage spreads by surface runners . Prefers moist well-drained soil in full shade to full sun ; should be protected from winter winds . Cultivars vary in the color of flowers and foliage.

Asarum canadense

Canada Wild Ginger ( Canada wild ginger )

Form a mass of foliage up to six inches tall, spreads rapidly by rhizomes . Excellent for partial to full shade .

Convallaria majalis

Lily -of -the- Valley ( Lily of the Valley )

It forms a dense carpet of upright leaves , spreads by rhizomes , very adaptable but develops best in well-drained soil ; Partial shade to full sun . Large amounts of roots and rhizomes are poisonous. The perfumed flowers are famous .

Euonymus fortunei
' Colorata '

Purpleleaf Wintercreeper Euonymus ( Euonymus creeping purple leaf )

Spreading habit that takes root in the soil as it spreads . Full shade to full sun ; prefers well-drained soils . Need protection from winter winds . The scale can be a problem .

Galium odoratum

Sweet Woodruff ( Asperula odorosa )

Deciduous vegetation cover which forms a mat of bright green foliage uniform . Da small white flowers. It prefers moist soil with good drainage ; partial to full shade .

Hosta species

Hosta , Plantain Lily ( Hosta )

Large group of rugged and reliable plants ornamental foliage forming neat circular clumps . Plants spread slowly by short rhizomes . Customizable floor, ideal for open shade , the leaves will burn in full sun . Common problem : slugs.

pachysandra terminalis

Japanese Spurge (Diamond)

Uniform evergreen that spreads via rhizomes and forms dense vegetation cover and bushes tidy . Ideal shade in well-drained soil . Needs protection from winter winds . Under conditions of stress can get pests or diseases.

vinca minor

Periwinkle (Vinca )

Creeping vegetation cover that takes root as spreads and occasionally climbing ; Evergreen . It grows in fairly dense shade conditions to full sun but the foliage tends to be bright green when grown in the shade. You need winter protection and sun. You can get diseases in poorly drained soils and where there is little air movement .

Waldsteinia ternata

Barren Strawberry

Form clumps of evergreen foliage similar to strawberries . Green leaves and bright yellow flowers. Easy Maintenance ; plant in full shade to full sun.

( Various )

Native forest plants

In areas where grass does not grow or where you do not want to grow you can use a wide variety of native forest plants such as ferns , trilliums and Arisaema triphyllum . Consult with specialists and local plant nurseries.