Ground Covers for Challenging Spaces: A Houston Guide to Shade, Wet, and Dry Areas (Part I)
Ground Covers for Challenging Spaces: A Houston Guide to Shade, Wet, and Dry Areas (Part I)
Today we have the first half of a two-part post about ground covers. Part two can be found here: Ground Covers for Challenging Spaces: A Houston Guide to Shade, Wet, and Dry Areas (Part II).
Ground covers offer potential solutions for challenging landscape areas. In Houston landscapes, some spots may be too shady for grass, while others might stay wet after rain or remain persistently dry. Different ground covers can address these specific situations, adding both functionality and visual interest to difficult spaces.
Before selecting any plants, evaluating site conditions helps inform plant choices. Different areas of your yard may receive varying amounts of sunlight, have different soil moisture levels, or present unique growing challenges. Taking time to observe these conditions helps match plants to the spaces where they're most likely to thrive.
When you're ready to begin your landscape project, safety should be your first consideration. If you plan to add ground covers, call 811 before any digging project. This free service marks underground utility lines, protecting both you and your property.
To help you address specific landscape challenges, this guide examines ground cover options for three situations: shady areas, wet spots, and dry locations. For each situation, we'll look at several plant choices suited to Houston's climate, along with information about their growth patterns and care needs. This information can help you make informed decisions about your landscape.
Site Evaluation for Ground Covers
Selecting appropriate ground covers begins with understanding your landscape's specific conditions. While each yard presents unique situations, several key factors influence plant performance in any given location.
Light patterns play a crucial role in plant selection. A spot that receives winter sun might lie in dense shade during summer when trees leaf out. To evaluate light conditions, observe how sunlight moves across your yard throughout the day. Notice which areas receive morning versus afternoon sun, and which locations remain consistently shaded. These patterns help determine which plants might suit each location.
Soil moisture also varies across landscapes, often significantly within short distances. Areas near downspouts or in low spots frequently retain moisture, while raised areas or spots near structures tend to stay drier. To check soil moisture, examine the soil 4-6 inches below the surface in different locations. These moisture patterns influence which ground covers might work best in specific areas.
Soil preparation methods vary depending on the selected plants and existing conditions. Some plants adapt to various soil types, while others need specific soil conditions to thrive. When adding new plants, consider how soil conditions match plant requirements.
Options for Shady Areas
Shade conditions vary throughout Houston landscapes. Areas under trees often receive filtered light that changes seasonally as leaves grow and drop. North-facing locations might experience consistent shade, while areas near structures could alternate between sun and shade. These light variations influence which ground covers might adapt to different shady locations.
Three shade-tolerant ground covers to consider:
Cedar Sedge (Carex planostachys )
Height: 6-8 inches
Growth Pattern: Forms clumps of fine-textured, green foliage
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Notable Features: Shallow root system allows growth near trees; gradually spreads to form natural-looking ground cover
Growing Conditions: Adapts to various soil types; prefers consistent moisture until established
Texas Sedge (Carex texensis )
Height: 4-8 inches
Growth Pattern: Creates low carpet of slender, green leaves
Light Requirements: Shade to part shade
Notable Features: Maintains green color through typical Houston winters; clumping growth helps limit soil erosion
Growing Conditions: Tolerates various soil types; moderate water needs
Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis )
Height: 2-6 inches
Growth Pattern: Spreads to form dense ground cover
Light Requirements: Shade to part sun
Notable Features: Small yellow flowers during growing season; responds well to mowing
G rowing Conditions: Adapts to various soil types; moderate water needs
Options for Wet Areas
Consistently moist or poorly draining areas create distinct landscape challenges. These conditions often occur near downspouts, in low-lying areas, or where soil drains slowly. Ground covers adapted to moist conditions can grow in these locations while adding plant diversity to the landscape.
Three water-tolerant ground covers to consider:
Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora )
Height: 2-4 inches
Growth Pattern: Forms dense mat through spreading stems
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Notable Features: Small white to pink flowers attract butterflies spring through fall
Growing Conditions: Adapts to both wet and dry conditions; tolerates periodic flooding
Straggler Daisy (Calyptocarpus vialis )
Height: 2-4 inches
Growth Pattern: Low growing, gradually spreading
Light Requirements: Part sun to part shade
Notable Features: Small yellow flowers throughout growing season
Growing Conditions: Tolerates extra moisture; adapts to occasional dry periods
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium spp.)
Height: 6-12 inches
Growth Pattern: Forms clumps of grass-like foliage
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Notable Features: Small blue flowers in spring; iris family member
Growing Conditions: Grows in consistently moist areas; adapts to periodic wet conditions
This concludes Part I of our ground cover post. Check Part II which has have information about ground cover options for dry areas, general ground cover care guidelines, seasonal care tips, and a conclusion. Check our blog list page for a list of posts organized by topic.
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ArborTrue is a science-based tree-service company in the greater Houston area. We also serve Austin and other parts of Central Texas. We provide a range of services including tree trimming, tree pruning, tree removal, tree planting, arborist consultations, and more. Call us today at 832-980-8733 (Houston) or at 512-546-3833 (Austin) or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment.