I have dense shade under two Norway Maple trees and the grass is gone.

Eileen plese
by Eileen plese
How and what kind of grass will grow in dense shade.

  6 answers
  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Sep 22, 2017

    Fescue should grow under the trees. It grows fast so you get to see your green grass sooner. Don't overwater, but make sure the grass is getting enough moisture. The shade trees drink a lot of water and don't leave much for grass. Best wishes 😇

  • Ellis Ellis on Sep 22, 2017

    It will be difficult to get even fescue to grow well under Norway Maples. Most people end up planting some groundcover, like pachysandra or, my favorite, sweet woodruff.

  • Rusty Smith Rusty Smith on Sep 22, 2017

    Monkey grass - don't know the scientific name, but if you ask for monkey grass someone will know what you are talking about. We have it under the

    pecan trees in our yard in Oklahoma and it winters nicely. All you need to do

    is trim it back in February in preparation for new growth. A few sets will fill in over a year or two.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Sep 22, 2017

    I gave up trying to grow grass and let the moss grow. I added a few shade loving shrubs and plants and it looks great.

  • Susan J Murph Susan J Murph on Sep 22, 2017

    Your problem isn't shade so much as it is Norway Maples. They are the greediest feeders ever! Scratch the surface of the soil and you'll find a dense mat of feeder roots. I've found few plants that can compete, and grass isn't one of them. I recommend a ground cover (not pachysandra, because I have an irrational hatred of it). Or you could go with Sal's suggestion: let moss grow and tuck in a few hostas and ferns and lilies of the valley, etc. (to help them get started you'll have to carve out a root-free place and fill it with fresh soil; the roots will soon invade, but by then the plant will have a chance). Or go for a "foliage free" look. I'm happy with an area I created with gravel and ornamental rocks.

  • Lisa S. Lisa S. on Sep 22, 2017

    For a similar problem -I ended up just putting a shade garden in, with wood chip mulch until it filled in. Hostas are great, as if you can get on in with a couple of tablespoons of soil it will grow. Ask around. A lot of gardeners will divide and give you a few.