Brown Stemmed Low-Growing Evergreen Ground Cover

Full Shade

• Not many evergreen ground covers tolerate full shade, but a few species thrive in darker areas. English ivy (Hedera helix), a vine, can be grown as a prostrate ground cover. Native to Europe, this broadleaved evergreen has 4-inch-long foliage and produces black fruits. Plant in partial to full shade and rich, moist soil. English ivy may require pruning and winter wind protection.

  The trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens), an eastern U.S. native, grows to 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide. This evergreen has thick, leathery leaves that form a dense mat of foliage. The trailing arbutus blooms with aromatic pink flowers in spring. Plant the trailing arbutus in shade and sandy, acidic soil.

Partial Shade

• Partially shaded sites have an constant pattern of sun and shade through the day or receive two to three hours of sunlight. The rose daphne (Daphne cneorum) grows from 6 to 12 inches tall with a 2-foot spread. This slow-growing, European native has long, prostrate branches and blooms with fragrant, pink blossoms in spring through summer. Plant rose daphnes in shady sites with well-drained, moist soil.

  Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) grows from 1/2 to 1 inch tall and spreads slowly. This evergreen has dark-green leaves and produces long-lasting, white flowers in spring. Candytufts grow best in partial shade and tolerate a range of soil types.

Light Shade

• Lightly shaded areas receive four to five hours of sunlight or a shifting mix of sun and shade. The bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), a North American native, grows from 6 to 12 inches tall with a 15-foot spread. This slow-growing evergreen forms dense, spreading mats of shiny, dark-green foliage. Plant bearberry in full sun to light shade and well-drained, acidic and sandy soil.

  The bearberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri) grows to 1-and-1/2 feet tall and 6 feet wide. This Chinese native grows quickly and has dark-green, broadleaved foliage that can turn purple in winter. The bearberry cotoneaster produces a profusion of small white flowers in late spring followed by red berries. This evergreen prefers rich, well-drained soil.

Full Sun

• Choose sun-tolerant species for sites that receive direct light all day long. Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) grows to 2 feet tall with an 8-foot spread. This North American native has blue-green, needlelike foliage and produces blue cones of berries. Creeping juniper prefers full sun and tolerates a variety of soils, including salty.

  The Russian arborvitae (Microbiota decussate) grows to a foot tall but can spread up to 12 feet wide. This Russian native has soft sprays of bright-green foliage that can turn purple to bronze in cold weather. Russian arborvitae grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, but tolerate partial shade.