What is the best grass or ground cover for an area that gets no sun?

Barbara
by Barbara
The area is under a very large 60 year old red oak tree. I live in north central Texas 20 miles from the Oklahoma border where it gets over 100 degrees in the summer. It’s so bare and ugly and would like some color there.

  8 answers
  • Bink Bink on Feb 09, 2018

    I have the same problem. My neighbors put down black mulch everywhere that grass didn't grow. It looks so elegant!! I am now going to do the same thing.

  • Dfm Dfm on Feb 09, 2018

    There are grass mixes for shady areas. It’s survived the pine trees here at my place. Go to a local lawn garden place..see what they suggest. The hardest part was keeping it watered.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 09, 2018

    remove any debris fro the area.apply a few inches of toil soil, shade grass seed for you area, apply starter fertilizer and top with peat moss, keep moist until it germinates

  • Dfm Dfm on Feb 09, 2018

    There are grass mixes for deep shade..had to put it under the maple and pines.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Feb 09, 2018

    We have vinca, it could be so hearty its could be invasive. Its growing under our entry stairs and under our cedar trees in the shade.

    Its a tough little plant it stays green in the snow!


    https://www.thespruce.com/vinca-minor-vines-2132217

  • If the shade grass doesn't work out, how about mulching with several different colors and materials? Use benderboard between the different materials to keep them tidy.


    https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=mulch-landscaping%20ideas


  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Feb 09, 2018

    You can purchase grass seed which is specific for shady areas.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Feb 09, 2018

    I agree with Vimarhonor about vinca. Hard to kill it. But I happen to like the look of mulch or rocks. You have to refresh the mulch every year, and often gets weeds. Rocks need to be in thick layer but you can use the cheapest rock available and use larger rocks, paving stones, or blocks as a border. In either case. Best wishes—and why not document your decision for Hometalk? Best wishes ☺️