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ground cover for soggy spots #930729

Asked May 05, 2026, 4:37 PM EDT

Good Afternoon Extension Office, I am going to build a stone creek bed for the culvert in our driveway. Around the creek bed I'd like to put some perennial native ground cover. It will be a full shade spot with frequently soggy soil, and I am wondering what perennial native ground cover I could plant there. I was reading that thyme is a good ground cover but not in soggy spots. Any other suggestions? Thank you!

St. Louis County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning, 

Thanks for your question. 

Please click on the following link about groundcovers for shady areas: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/groundcovers-shade

The above link has a link to a pdf document all about various groundcovers. You should be cautioned as some of them can become invasive. 

You might consider various type of moss if it is a fairly wet area. 

Here is a link about creeping thyme: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/thymus-praecox/ This would not be a good plant for your site as it needs drier soil and more sun than what you've indicated. 

Good Luck!


Maureen Graber Replied May 06, 2026, 9:40 AM EDT

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