I was thinking of creeping fig, but know it's invasive and don't want anything growing up the walls; just for an area under oak trees that can tolerate being mowed; any suggestions?

https://gardeningsolutions.ifa...

https://gardeningsolutions.ifa...

crawgarden said:https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/creeping-fig.html

https://gardeningsolutions.ifa...

I forgot that one somehow, considering I was all for it, from those sites and seeing it around town, I got into climbing fig for awhile, then remembered I don't want climbing like that. I will let these grow and see how they do, good so far. They are Asiatic Minima Jasmine.

I have a neighbor across the street that has the Asiatic Jasmine in his front yard. Don't know how long they've had it, but over 6 years since I've lived here. It came through the awful freeze Texas had this year and all he does is mow it once a year (right before Spring I think). It always looks nice and he has a lot of tall trees amid the jasmine there. In fact his front yard is in almost total shade all day long. We're in 8b, so it should work well for you.

What about Ajuga or Dwarf Plumbago? Both have pretty blooms in the summer, leaves color in the winter. Personally, I love Lamb's Ear in my shady garden for groundcover and am planting more and more of it. It chokes out most weeds where I have planted it so far. The clumps just keeps getting larger and larger each year. I just love to run my hands over the leaves. It rarely blooms in total shade, however, but I don't grow it for the blooms, quite frankly.

Peggy8b said: I have a neighbor across the street that has the Asiatic Jasmine in his front yard. Don't know how long they've had it, but over 6 years since I've lived here. It came through the awful freeze Texas had this year and all he does is mow it once a year (right before Spring I think). It always looks nice and he has a lot of tall trees amid the jasmine there. In fact his front yard is in almost total shade all day long. We're in 8b, so it should work well for you.

Well, it's been about a year now and they've grown some, not a whole lot but they look like might start spreading out more this summer.

Peggy8b said: What about Ajuga or Dwarf Plumbago? Both have pretty blooms in the summer, leaves color in the winter. Personally, I love Lamb's Ear in my shady garden for groundcover and am planting more and more of it. It chokes out most weeds where I have planted it so far. The clumps just keeps getting larger and larger each year. I just love to run my hands over the leaves. It rarely blooms in total shade, however, but I don't grow it for the blooms, quite frankly.

I remember my mother really liked lamb's ear for it's soft texture. It probably would grow here but I've replaced my border containers from impatiens to spider plants for lower maintenance and I think they're going to end up being the groundcover for that area, as are spreading fast.

Have you considered loripe?

Something that I've seen growing in the clay... Mitchella repens (partridge berry) I wish I had that...

What about Acalypha reptans (chenille plant) This grows fine at my house in deep shade.

There are wonderful spreading Asarums, but they wouldn't tolerate being mowed...