35 Plants That Fill Bare, Dry Shade Where Grass Refuses to Grow
Dry shade is one of the hardest garden spots to fill.
Start with plants that can handle tree roots, low light, and less-than-perfect soil.
35. Epimedium
Epimedium earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
34. Hellebore
Hellebore earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
33. Hosta in dry shade varieties
Hosta in dry shade varieties earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
32. Heuchera
Heuchera earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
31. Brunnera
Brunnera earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
30. Solomon seal
Solomon seal earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
29. Japanese forest grass with moisture
The hidden problem: Japanese forest grass with moisture earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
28. Carex pensylvanica
Carex pensylvanica earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
27. Liriope
Liriope earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
26. Wild ginger
Wild ginger earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
25. Sweet woodruff
Sweet woodruff earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
24. Foamflower
Foamflower earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
23. Barren strawberry
Quick read: Barren strawberry earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional. For a related planting choice, Pothos Fixes That Turn Leggy Vines Into a Fuller, Faster-Growing Plant can help you match the site.
22. Christmas fern
Christmas fern earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
21. Autumn fern
Autumn fern earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
20. Lady fern with watering
Lady fern with watering earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
19. Pachysandra with caution
Pachysandra with caution earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional. For a related planting choice, Orchid Re-Bloom Tricks for Supermarket Orchids That Refuse to Flower Again can help you match the site.
18. Lamium in contained beds
Lamium in contained beds earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
17. Ajuga with caution
Ajuga with caution earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
16. Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
15. Bigroot geranium
Quick read: Bigroot geranium earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
14. Geranium macrorrhizum
Geranium macrorrhizum earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional. For a related planting choice, Pest-Repelling Flowers and Herbs to Plant Around Tomatoes, Roses, and Patios can help you match the site.
13. Toad lily
The hidden problem: Toad lily earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
12. Virginia bluebells
Virginia bluebells earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
11. Columbine
Columbine earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
10. Fragrant sumac in shade edges
Fragrant sumac in shade edges earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
Read More: Houseplants You Can Forget to Water for Weeks, Ranked by How Hard They Are to Kill
9. Oak sedge
Oak sedge earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
8. Dwarf mondo grass
Dwarf mondo grass earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
7. Sarcococca
Quick read: Sarcococca earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
6. Mahonia in mild shade
Mahonia in mild shade earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
5. Fatsia in mild climates
The hidden problem: Fatsia in mild climates earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
Read More: Low-Light Houseplants That Actually Survive Neglect, Dry Air, and Dark Corners
4. Cast iron plant outdoors in warm zones
Cast iron plant outdoors in warm zones earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
3. Aucuba
Aucuba earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
2. Itea on shade edges
Itea on shade edges earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
1. Native violets
Native violets earns its place when you need bare dry shade where turf fails.
It gives the bed a specific job instead of just adding another pretty plant.
Add compost to the planting pocket, mulch lightly, and water during the first dry season. Mulch and establishment water make the planting look intentional.
Read More: Ground Covers That Hold Slopes in Place Without Taking Over Your Yard
The goal is not to copy a magazine garden. It is to make the next practical decision easier, then let the results compound.
