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Ground cover under trees

hi can anyone give me advice regarding a suitable all year round green alternative to grass that will survive in shade under a tree?

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  • Invicta2Invicta2 Posts: 663

    There is an evergreen relative of the raspberry called Rubus tricolor. It is shade tolerant and has red bristly stems and glossy green leaves.It is very vigorous so you would need to ensure it does not get out of hand.

  • Thanks but is there anything that gives more of a carpeting effect? I have looked into moss but there is conflicting Information

  • Invicta2Invicta2 Posts: 663

    I guess it depends how shady it is. If you look in woods a lot of them have spring carpeting such as Bluebells, wood anemones and wild garlic but these die down with the summer shade. The problem is that many plants that are evergreen and that tolerate poor conditions like shade are apt to become weeds in other parts of the garden. Two Campanulas,portenschlagiana and poscharskana are low growing and will tolerate shade, but i would not have them in my garden as they too vigorous. If you have acid soil, Pachysandra terminalis is an effective if dull ground cover in shade. If conditions are moist, then Tiarella trifoliata will thrive.

  • cathy43cathy43 Posts: 373

    I use Irish moss (sagina I think) you can walk on it, doesn't need mown and evergreen, bonus all through summer it has a tiny with flower. However it will not work in very dense shade or waterlogging, I love it image

  • cathy43cathy43 Posts: 373

    Jo47 I was excited too!  The area only gets a couple of hours of evening sun in the summer, none in winter.  I asked the local GC if he could get me some and he managed twelve ( and told me I was mad) They have been great but still have to grow together, next year I might be able to split them? This tear got seeds from China via amazon, only the seedlings have come up so far .  Yes I removed the turf and added grit then forked it over, an area of 2x2m,image 

     

     

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  • cathy43cathy43 Posts: 373
    Glad to know I'm not the only one that thinks it's worth a try, good luck image
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Can't go far wrong with lilyturf - Liriope muscari. Evergreen, grassy, smart, purple flowers in early autumn. Prefers dappled shade to dense.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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