The ground cover Little brown jug thrives in dappled shade and produces jug-shaped flowers beneath its pretty, patterned leaves. The roots are aromatic, and smell similar to pepper or ginger. Prefers soil rich in decomposing leaves or similar organic matter.
Wild ginger is a low-growing groundcover with heart-shaped leaves. It is shade-tolerant, spreads slowly, and has fragrant, underground flowers. The roots are aromatic, and smell similar to pepper or ginger. Prefers soil rich in decomposing leaves or other organic mulch.
Netted chain fern is a deciduous fern that grows in woodland bogs and swamps but is happy in home garden soils. Spreading by underground rhizomes, it can form a sizable colony in a few years. Like Christmas fern, it can tolerate significant (morning) sun as long as its soil does not dry out. Unlike Christman …Read More Netted Chain Fern
Christmas fern is our most common evergreen fern with upright dark green fronds. Its leaflets look like Santa’s sleigh or a stocking, depending on who you ask. Christmas fern will tolerate more sun than many ferns but requires higher soil moisture in sunnier areas. Like all part-shade tolerant plants, it does best with morning sun …Read More Christmas Fern
Lady fern is very easy to grow in good garden soil that seldom dries out. Its delicate light green leaflets connect to a dark reddish-brown stem for a visually striking frond. It will spread slowly to form a groundcover when in the right conditions. Does best with an hour or two of morning sun. Goes …Read More Lady Fern
Marginal wood fern is an evergreen, shade-loving fern with leathery gray-green fronds. It forms non-spreading clumps and last years’ foliage self-mulches as new brown, furry fiddleheads emerge. This makes for low-maintenance when spaced at 12-inches, forming dense swaths that allow few weeds. Prefers well drained, acidic soil with even moisture, but it is easily grown …Read More Marginal Wood Fern
Switchgrass adds height, color, and textures to the garden. When planted in mass, it can be an effective privacy screen. It provides erosion control, attracts wildlife, and is a great choice for rain gardens.
River oats is a striking ornamental grass with arching, seedheads that resemble sea oats. It is low-maintenance, attracts birds, and provides visual interest throughout the growing season. Note: River oats spread rapidly from seed and can take over small areas of the garden.
Little Bluestem is a native North American grass known for its beautiful blue-green foliage that turns a fiery bronze in fall. It provides excellent erosion control, attracts pollinators, and is drought-tolerant. Splitbeard bluestem is a versatile native grass that adds texture and interest to gardens with purple-hued foliage and white seed tufts. It is drought-tolerant, …Read More Bluestem