Ground Covers for Dry Shade in the Mountain West

Gorgeous ground-cover options for a seasonal succession in dry shade

One of the most challenging microclimates in Mountain West garden also happens to be one of the most common , particularly in mature , treed landscape — ironic shade . Most plant adapted to grow in the shade of tree diagram originate from portions of the domain with more precipitation . In drier regions — like much of the Intermountain West — this create a challenge : The same trees that shade off our gardens compete with them for water .

There are two principal way to address the challenge wry shade present to the gardener . The first , and the unsubdivided , is to be sure you add a hearty layer of mulch to the garden . Mulch improves moisture retentiveness and build soil , both problem field for tone gardens in our region . The second and perhaps even more important reason is to assure that your plant choices are well - adapted to their internet site .

Ground Covers for a Dry-Shade Garden

The pursuit is a list of plants that might be raw to you and that provide year - round interest to these challenging and surprisingly unforgiving teetotal shady spaces .

Appalachian sedge (Carexappalachia)

Zones:3–7

Size:6 inches tall with a 12- to 18 - in spread head

Conditions : Partial to full shadiness ; medium to average - dry soil

Native range : North America

One of my most ordinarily used tint plant is Appalachian sedge(seen above ) . Growing as an exceptionally exquisitely - textured tussock of undimmed green foliation to 1 metrical foot in high spirits and moderately less wide , plants vary in form from refined with long , arching parting , to elegant and vase - shaped . This grasslike plant is rat to Zone 3 and remains fresh front with almost no supplemental water supply . I use it liberally to add foliar contrast to large - depart hellebores ( Helleborussp . and cvs . ( zona 4–8 ) , lungworts ( Pulmonariasp . and cvs . geographical zone 3–8 ) , and the comparable . drive on by even a balmy child’s play , the foliage on thisCarexadds an element so often missing from our ghost gardens — movement . Crucial to this plant ’s access to my garden is its long - term temperament ; never running and only lightly seed , Appalachian sedge shows up here and there , mold better-looking bands and on the loose clusters with just a small editing .

‘Orange Queen’ epimedium (Epimedium × warleyense‘Orange Queen’)

Zones:4–8

Size:15 to 20 inch marvelous with a 10- to 15 - in banquet

condition : Partial to full shade ; mass medium to dry soil

aboriginal range : China

With their interesting foliage and flush to match , I ’m surprised every year when epimediums flush it to gain a stronger foothold in our food market . Sometimes referred to as barrenwort , these Old World native are actually small members of the barberry phratry . More refined than their stateside relative Oregon grape - Buddy Holly ( Berberis aquifolium , Zones 5–8 ) , genus Epimedium produce a flush of glossy , heart- or annex - shaped leaves , often with serration or attractive bronze in other spring . They will keep these leaves through milder winters .

In spring , plants let flee a volley of fantastical , four - petaled , dependent flowers . Ranging from white to pink and yellow to almost red , these spidery blooms are impossible to miss , dock on 1- to 2 - foot wiry stem turn . Among those I ’ve grown , ‘ Orange Queen ’ has been well suited to the Mountain West . It was also the only plant in my partial - shade garden still in good shape after a particularly nasty 2018 hailstorm .

Tip : store for genus Epimedium by your filth pH ; each specie and loanblend has a unequaled , preferred band , often indicated in the plant description . Broadly speaking , those from Japan prefer acid grunge , while those from China and the Mediterranean are more pH variable .

Baby cyclamen(Cyclamen hederifolium)

Zones:4–7

Size:6 inch tall and 6 to 12 column inch broad

The most bantam plant on this inclination , baby cyclamen is a plant with big impact in suspect spaces . Adapted to most ground pH and texture , these problematic tubers will arise nearly anywhere provided their soil is never waterlogged . Not only do they allow for unusual , model , spade - shaped leave , but they lead with a flush of mild pink or white , recurved efflorescence . Interestingly , baby cyclamen move inactive in summer . A tactics to endure seasonal drought in its aboriginal Mediterranean climate , this can be refer to Rocky Mountain gardeners . Do n’t be alarmed if plants seem to disappear as rut bang , as they ’ll be back and blooming in a few months .

Mail order makes source these plants a breeze . cyclamen ship well while sleeping , and the same is honest for epimediums . For the best survival , including new - to - gardening species andEpimediumhybrids plusCyclamenwith unbelievable , silver grey - variegated leaf , look online . However , both of these genera can from time to time be found at local nurseries . As for the sedge , while plants mail just finely , they can be found with some geometrical regularity at nursery in our region . If all else break down , you’re able to always scatter ejaculate of Appalachian sedge on snow in wintertime where you ’d wish to grow a sales booth of the stuff .

Perhaps most importantly , do n’t let a drought in inspiration put a muffler on your shade garden . Trying new plants and garden styles remain one of the most surefire ways to liven up a dark corner of the garden .

See more tip for gardening in the Mountain West

Perennials for Dry Shade in the Northeast

Perennials for Dry Shade in the Southern Plains

Low-Growing, Evergreen Shrubs for Dry Shade in the Mountain West

Use Gorgeous Ground Covers as a Living Mulch

link up Fine horticulture for a costless engage live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a famed industrial plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …

When I blob a particular moxie dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I acknowledge I was in trouble . With a delightful color radiation pattern …

When we only prioritise plants we need over plants our landscape painting pauperization , each season is filled with a never - ending list of chores : pruning , filch , lachrymation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Epimedium × warleyense ‘Orange Queen

‘Orange Queen’ is growing besideHeuchera‘Caramel’ (Zones 4–8).Photo: courtesy of Eric Sternfels

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a duad …