Recommendation for native groundcover - Ask Extension
Do you have any recommendations for native groundcovers - both for sunny areas and shady areas? I've had good success with native plants and shrubs, b...
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Recommendation for native groundcover #926438
Asked March 21, 2026, 11:32 AM EDT
Do you have any recommendations for native groundcovers - both for sunny areas and shady areas? I've had good success with native plants and shrubs, but mixed success with groundcovers and I need something to out-compete the weeds! Heavy clay soil. Preferably deer- and rabbit-resistant. Thank you.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
We have information and sample species lists (they're not exhaustive) on our Groundcovers web page that should help give you some ideas. Weeds should ideally be cleared from an area before new plants, including aggressively-spreading groundcovers, are planted, since weeds can compete with the new plants and interfere with their successful establishment. The lists in the page above note which species are usually deer-resistant (nothing is guaranteed), but we don't have a ranked list of species unappealing to rabbits, which will sometimes nibble on plants deer don't like.
Miri
Miri
