Good Ground Cover for Under Spruce Trees

Ground Covers to Avoid

• Certain plants interact with each other in positive ways, such as deep-rooted trees that bring nitrogen and other nutrients to the surface to be used by companion plantings. However, some species inhibit the growth of other plants in order to protect their own development. Ground covers that produce an alleopathic reaction in spruce trees include bearberry, or Arcrostaphy los uva-uisi, laurel, or Kalmia angustifolia, and reindeer lichen, or Cladonia spp.

Zone 3

• The lowest U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone ratings of commonly grown ornamental spruce trees range from zone 3, which experiences annual average lows to minus 40 degrees, to zone 6. Ground covers for under-spruce plantings should have similar hardiness ratings. Bergenia, or Bergenia cordifolia, is hardy in zones 3 to 8. This shade-tolerant perennial blooms with pink blossoms in spring and its large, glossy foliage spreads into an attractive ground cover. Also hardy in zones 3 to 8, spotted dead nettle, or Lamium maculatum, grows to 12 inches tall and thrives in partial to full shade. It produces pink flowers from spring through summer and has dense, silver-green foliage.

Zone 4

• USDA zone 4 temperatures reach lows to minus 30. Cranberry cotoneaster, or Cotoneaster apiculatus, is hardy in zones 4 to 7. It grows to 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide and produces bright red berries. This evergreen has dark foliage, prefers partial shade and tolerates a variety of site conditions. Bugle weed, Ajuga reptans, thrives in partial to full shade. It blooms with blue, purple and white flowers in spring and grows to 4 inches tall. Bugle weed is hardy in zones 4 to 8.

Zone 5

• In USDA zone 5, average annual lows dip to minus 20. Pyramidal ajuga, or Ajuga pyramidalis, prefers shaded sites and is hardy in zones 5 to 9. This evergreen spreads slowly and has dark, lustrous leaves. It produces blue flowers and reaches heights of 4 inches. Bishop's hat, or Epimedium sempervirens, is hardy in zones 5 to 8. This perennial grows from 6 to 15 inches tall with a wider spread. It thrives in shade and has heart-shaped leaves with reddish margins. Bishop's hat tolerates drought and has colorful fall foliage.

Zone 6

• USDA zone 6 reaches average lows to minus 10. Lydia broom, or Genista lydia, is hardy in zones 6 to 7. This deciduous ground cover grows slowly to 18 inches tall and spreads to 3 feet wide. It has narrow, grass-like foliage and blooms with bright yellow flowers. Lydia broom grows well in partial shade and well-draining soil. English ivy, or Hedera helix, an evergreen vine, grows well as a ground cover. English ivy grows quickly and has glossy, dark foliage. It comes in a variety of cultivars and prefers shady sites. Established plants tolerate drought.