Ground Cover Under Trees

Pachysandra

• A classic ground cover plant, pachysandra delivers a thick mat of shiny green leaves on 10-inch stems. While it thrives in shade, pachysandra can tolerate partial sun and short periods of drought, making it very suitable for planting under deciduous trees. Plant your pachysandra starts 6 to 12 inches apart and allow up to 4 years for this slow-growing evergreen to completely cover the area. Spread a layer of mulch around new plants and replenish yearly to keep the roots moist and cool. Although tiny, creamy-white flowers emerge briefly in early spring, the primary attribute of pachysandra is its waxy green foliage,

Ajuga

• Carpet bugleweed, a common name for ajuga, is an aptly descriptive name for the way it spreads a covering across the floor of a tree-filled landscape. Ajuga has low light requirements, but can tolerate some sun exposure in northern climates. Moisture throughout the growing season promotes vigorous growth. Depending on the type of cultivar, Ajuga foliage ranges from deep green to bronze to shades of purple. Choose a variety that complements the tree type under which it is planted. The purple leaves and bluish-violet flowers of Purple Brocade highlight the yellow-toned branches of an Hinoki cypress; gray-green leaves and violet flowers of the Silver Beauty variety blend well with red-leaf maple and deep green cedar trees.

Vinca

• Vinca minor, also commonly known as creeping myrtle or periwinkle, is a favored ground cover for gardeners with large expanses of ground shaded by trees. Pairs of bright green leaves attached to the long, thin stems make a shimmering spread up to 3 feet across per plant. Light-purple pinwheel-shape flowers grace the foliage for several weeks in spring and intermittently throughout the summer. Its trailing habit and delicate flowers give this low-growing ground cover a visual impression of whimsy and airiness, making it ideal for a location underneath flowering trees. Situate masses of vinca in areas protected from full sun and keep the surrounding soil moist, especially during the first year as the plants become established.