The Best Ground Cover to Plant Under River Birch

Poor Soils

• Bird's-foot trefoil tolerates poor soils and a wide range of pH levels, so it will withstand the slightly acidic soils that river birch prefers. The plants produce yellow flowers and will withstand mowing, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.

Varying Shade Levels

• Hostas perform well in sites that offer shade, and they can adapt to light or dense shade. Hostas offer flower spikes with white or lavender flowers and a variety of leaf shapes, textures and colors, including variegated foliage.

Well-Drained Sites

• Liriope, also known as lilyturf, grows in full sun to heavy shade, but variegated cultivars prefer shade, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. The plants produce a thick growth of foliage and summer flower spikes, but the plants need a well-drained site, which suits river birch as well.

Difficult-to-Cover Sites

• Ajuga plants also require a well-drained site, and they are shade-tolerant. Ajuga offers green, bronze or variegated foliage and has a spreading mat form of growth. While ajuga can be invasive, the Clemson Cooperative Extension suggests its hardiness makes it good for growing beneath trees.

Northern Locations

• Common periwinkle performs its best in shade and spreads in all directions as it grows. The plants develop purplish-blue spring flowers and are hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 4, the northern reach of river birch.