The Most Popular Groundcovers for Shade in Zone 4

Bugleweed

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 27 varieties. Glossy rosettes knit together quickly, followed by upright blue spring flowers.

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 134 varieties. From creeping mats to tall fragrant panicles, phlox fills several garden layers.

Dead Nettle

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 19 varieties. Silver-marked leaves brighten shade while low stems close gaps beneath taller plants.

Wintergreen

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 3 varieties. Glossy evergreen leaves and bright berries bring small-scale woodland interest.

Partridge Berry

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.

Periwinkle

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 10 varieties. Evergreen trailing stems cover difficult shade quickly, where their spread can be bounded.

Spurge

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 9 varieties. Evergreen leaf whorls make a uniform carpet beneath dense tree canopies.

Mondo Grass

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 24 varieties. Dark, grassy foliage creates a compact evergreen line in sun or shade.

Wild Ginger

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 67 varieties. Heart-shaped leaves form a quiet woodland carpet beneath shrubs and trees.

Sedge

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 119 varieties. Sedges offer an exceptional range of textures for weaving through difficult sites.

Violet / Pansy

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 44 varieties. Small, expressive flowers bring early color and often seed into charming colonies.

Barren Strawberry

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Its representative is notable for being North American native and dry-spell tolerant.

Yellow Archangel

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 4 varieties. Its representative is notable for being usually passed over by deer and mid-spring flowering.

False Rue Anemone

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.

Meehan's Mint

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Its representative is notable for being usually passed over by deer and late spring flowering.

Ivy

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 37 varieties. Evergreen leaves cover walls and ground rapidly, where its vigorous spread can be contained.

Ground Ivy

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 3 varieties. Its representative is notable for being late spring flowering and easy-care.

Cast Iron Plant

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 41 varieties. Its representative is notable for being late summer flowering and easy-care.

Speedwell

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 71 varieties. Slim flower spikes add lasting vertical detail without overwhelming nearby plants.

Dogwood

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 69 varieties. Dogwoods layer flowers or bracts, berries, fall color, and elegant branching.