What native plants can plant as ground cover under pine trees

Question: I’m looking to make the area under the pine trees better; better looking and friendly for the local insects and small animals.
What native / noninvasive plants can i plant that will live there?

I need to figure out how to make the photos smaller to upload!!!!

responder: Thank you for contacting us!  Replied August 13, 2024, 8:01 PM EDT
response: Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. Could you tell me how much sun it gets? Morning or afternoon sun? and is it a dry or a wet area? that will help me in giving you the correct plants that would work here.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 14, 2024, 5:12 PM EDT
response: Diane H;Thank you for your prompt reply.The area under these trees is about 15' x 30'.  They are on a berm that is about 6"-18" above the surrounding grade.  Grass lawn on one side and asphalt driveway on the other.  I'll attach a couple of pictures.  Basic area runs NW to SE Trimmed the pictures to email...Has very good drainage, only irrigation is rain.  The buildings are >30' away.  Pictures taken this afternoon about 4:30 PM.  Probably about 6-8 hours of low sun, since the trees block the direct overhead sunshine.The landscapers use large machines and can't get too close because of the trees, slope and landscape stones that were placed there 20 years ago.I'd just like some plants that will green up the area and not have that tall grass take over.  And also to avoid the landscaper 'clean up' that sprays chemicals to kill everything.Thanks - Mike     On Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 08:01:27 PM EDT, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Thank you for contacting us!  Replied August 15, 2024, 8:03 PM EDT
response: Thank you for contacting Ask extension. Thank you for sending the pictures, they did help with determining what would work the best.  This is a good size area, and with 6-8 hours of sun, you have to be careful with getting things for sun shade. But there are many choices with sun or part sun. The majority of these plants are native and I will star the ones that I know to be a good choice. I am going to give you a list of plants that you should be able to find at a nursery. I will also include their Latin names, because of the importance to get the right plant so it is not confused with another plant.  Creeping plants: Hypericum calycinum (creeping St. John’s wort), creeping Junipers, creeping Phlox, Sedums, Creeping thyme, Plumbago*, Asarum canadense (wild ginger)*, Bergenia, Phlox divaricate (woodland phlox)* Perennials:  Tiarella cordifolia (foam flower)*, Antennaria plantaginifolia (Pussy toes), Linnacea borealis (twin flowers), Rubeckia (black eyed susans)*, Pachera aurea (golden ragwort)*, Maianthemum racemosum(false Solomon’s Seal), Coreopsis*, Ferns-Maidenhair, Christmas, Cinnamon*, Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Blue-Eyed Grass)* Vines that can be used as a ground cover: Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet or coral honeysuckle)*, Gelsemium sepervirens (yellow jessamine) By having these choices, you can choose what will work for you! Good luck! I have included some references to aid you: https://theplantnative.com/faqs/best-native-plants-for-midwest-gardens/ https://midwestnativeplants.org/

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 16, 2024, 1:08 PM EDT
response: Diane H:Thank you very much for the detailed information!I'll use it when I go shopping at a local nursery that I'm familiar with.Over the weekend I'll chase the links that you included.Mike P  On Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 08:03:19 PM EDT, Ask Extension wrote: