Good Ground Cover for Shade and Salty Soil

Herbaceous Ground Covers

• Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp. and hybrids) spread vigorously and thrive in partially shaded sites. The tawny daylily (H. fulva), a tall, orange daylily found along roadways throughout the country, is especially salt tolerant. The native sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina) has aromatic foliage; it adapts well to poor soils and spreads rapidly to form a dense, weed-free ground cover. Agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus), also known as the blue African lily, sends up tall stems with round clusters of blue flowers in midsummer; it needs good drainage to grow well. All of these plants are herbaceous, dying back to ground level each fall.

Evergreen Ground Covers

• For year-round coverage, choose an evergreen ground cover such as lilyturf (Liriope spp.) or its smaller cousin, mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicas). Both plants thrive in partial to full shade and salty soil. Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis) has large, shiny evergreen leaves and is a reliable, salt-tolerant ground cover for shade in warm areas. English ivy (H. helix) is hardier and comes in both large- and small-leaved varieties, many of them variegated. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) and confederate jasmine (T. jasminoides) flower well even in shade, sending out fragrant flowers in late spring.

Woody Ground Covers

• Three spreading evergreen shrubs make good ground covers for shaded, salty areas. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) grows 4 to 12 inches high and spreads by sprouting roots at its growing tips; this native is also known as sand berry and kinnikinnick. Winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei), a shrubby ground cover that also climbs up walls and trees, has many brightly colored, variegated cultivars available. Cliff green (Paxistima canbyi), also known as rat-stripper, is another salt-tolerant native shrub; its soft, needle-like foliage turns bronze in cold weather.

Other Plants to Consider

• You have many more plants to choose from if your shady areas are protected from direct salt spray. Plants suitable for such areas include holly ferns (Cyrtomium falcatum), hostas (Hosta spp. and hybrids) and periwinkle (Vinca minor). Salt-tolerant plants that prefer full sun but tolerate light shade include some stonecrops (Sedum spp.), verbena (Verbena canadensis), wormwood (Artemisia stelleriana) and maritime thrift (Armeria maritima). The memorial rose (Rosa wichuraiana) blooms well in light shade, is salt tolerant and spreads rapidly, making it a good choice for erosion control on shaded, salty slopes.