Ground Cover
Ground Cover performs several functions in your shade garden. It's great for weed control, blocking out the weeds before they can take hold. Provide insulation both in Summer and Winter, as well as keeping moisture in around the root system. One of the most appreciated functions is of course the beauty of an area covered with a nice looking carpet of green textures, sometimes with flowers of varying colors. I will be adding more shade plants with the potential to carpet your garden in the shade as time goes on. Keep in mind that you can use these shade loving plants in smaller areas, as well as in rock gardens. Listed here are some shade tolerant plants to cover your bare spots. 
Bigleaf Periwinkle Scientific Name: Vinca major
Zone: 3-8
Sun: Full Shade - Partial Sun "The Bigleaf Periwinkle, Vinca major, is also known as Greater (rosy) Periwinkle, Big Perwinkle and Large Periwinkle. The plant is shrub-like and grow... more | 
Chameleon Plant Scientific Name: Houttuynia cordata
Zone: 5-9
Sun: Full Shade "The Houttuynia 'Chameleon Plant'Ö, Houttuynia cordata, is one of the most popular ground covers around. Small white flowers appear from July to Augus... more | 
Japanese Spurge Scientific Name: Pachysandra terminalis
Zone: 4-8
Sun: Full Shade - Partial Sun "The Japanese Spurge plant, Pachysandra terminalis, and also known as Pachysandra, is a shrubby, evergreen ground cover which grows 8-12"" high and sp... more | 
Lambs Ears - Big Ears Scientific Name: Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein'
Zone: 4-9
Sun: Partial Sun "The Stachys 'Big Ears Lamb'Ös Ear'Ö, Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein', is known for its soft, fuzzy, silvery green foliage. With spikes of purplis... more | 
Liriope - Big Blue Scientific Name: Liriope muscari 'Big Blue'
Zone: 5-10
Sun: Full Shade - Partial Sun "The Liriope 'Big Blue', Lirope muscari 'Big Blue', also known as Lirope,is a grass-like foliage set with tall spikes of lavender-blue, hyacinth-like ... more | 
Liriope - Variegated Scientific Name: Liriope muscari 'Variegata'
Zone: 6-10
Sun: Full Sun - Full Shade "The Liriope 'Variegated', Lirope muscari 'Variegata', also known as Lirope variegated lily-turf, is as it's name implies, a variegated border grass. ... more | 
Oriental Limelight Scientific Name: Artemisia Hybrid 'Oriental Limelight'
Zone: 4-8
Sun: Full Sun "The 'Oriental Limelight', Artemisia Hybrid, is a tall grower that's great in large containers. The mounding self-branching habit makes 'Oriental Lime... more | 
Periwinkle - Illimuniation Scientific Name: Vinca minor 'Illumination'
Zone: 4-8
Sun: Full Shade - Partial Sun "The Vinca Minor 'Illumination', produces near continuous foliage changes. Spring growth emerges chartreuse then brightens to golden yellow. Each yell... more | 
Phlox - Emerald Blue Scientific Name: Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'
Zone: 2-8
Sun: Full Sun "The Phlox 'Emerald Blue'Ö, Phlox subulata, is an ideal ground cover with dark blue flowers and a thick mat of semi-evergreen foliage. Blooming from A... more | 
Ranunculus - Buttered Popcorn Scientific Name: Ranunculus repens 'Buttered Popcorn'
Zone: 3-8
Sun: Full Sun "The Buttered Popcorn', Ranunculus repens, is a great ground cover that vigorously spreads to 4'. Its broad finley cut leaves are silvery-green with a... more | 
Virginia Creeper Scientific Name: Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Zone: 3-10
Sun: Full Sun - Full Shade "The Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is a fast-growing, high-climbing vine that attaches itself with tendrils which expand, disk-like, ... more |
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