Dry sunny spot

Question: Hello! We'd like some help with determining what species of plants might thrive in a sunny dry spot of our front yard. Globally we've been trying to increase the trees and native plants in our back yard to reducing lawn grass, but our front yard hasn't had a lot of attention. Our front yard is on a bit of a slope and after one of our trees died it has thrown the whole yard into a sunnier environment than it was mentally prepared for. The box bush in front of our porch and the ground cover have been the hardest hit. I've attached some photos with mark up that shows where the plants of receded to the shadier bits.

Do you have any recommendations for ground covers native to Maryland that would do better in this more mixed environment. The sections left are mostly shaded throughout the day, but the rest of the yard is largely sunny for mid day.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied October 15, 2024, 10:09 AM EDT
response: Our Groundcovers web page is a good resource to explore, as it includes tips and considerations for plant selection and provides some lists of species (native included) for certain conditions. More information about the site conditions will help you to narrow-down which species to consider planting (whether they are on one of that page's lists or not), such as if deer browse the area occasionally, if the soil skews wet, dry, or is of average (good) drainage, and how much direct summer sun it now receives. There are plenty of non-ground-covering native plant candidates as well, though we do not have an exhaustive plant list for each situation, but are happy to provide feedback if you find some species you're considering adding.  If you aren't already aware, the groundcover pictured (Vinca minor) is invasive in our region and we would recommend replacing it with alternatives. The boxwood's condition doesn't appear to be related to a sudden exposure to more sun (although they prefer part sun/part shade, they can handle full sun reasonably well), though it's hard to tell what brought it to that point...possible old Volutella damage or other issues common to boxwood. If you're keeping the shrub, a drastic pruning can refresh old, scraggly-looking boxwoods, though given their naturally slow growth rate, regaining their former size and fullness might take a few years after the trim. If pruning to rejuvenate a boxwood, waiting until spring (perhaps early April or so) is best.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 15, 2024, 2:45 PM EDT
response: Oh wow!!! Thank you so much for your help! Amazing! I had no idea our ground cover was invasive, what a pain! I'lt sounds like we have some work to do. I'll circle back if we run into more questions! Thanks a million.  On Tue, Oct 15, 2024, 10:09 Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied October 15, 2024, 3:51 PM EDT
response: You're very welcome!