Shade trees reduce summer heat, making outdoor living more pleasant. In addition, a shaded roof and walls mean lower cooling costs. Shade trees can be deciduous. This means they lose their leaves in winter, letting the sun shine through the branches to warm your home and outdoor areas in cold weather. Ground Cover and Lawn Substitutes Use ground covers where grass will not grow, such as in the dense shade of tree canopies or where grass would be difficult or unsafe to mow, such as steep banks.
Ground covers can be deciduous or evergreen.
Usually they grow to a height of less than 18 inches. When fully established, most ground covers require little maintenance. Ground cover plants need careful attention during establishment. Proper watering, weeding, and mulching are especially important. If you have a planter designed into your patio or entrance, you may want to select plants listed for this use.