PatK Wrote:

Hi all,

I have a very large maple tree that covers about half of my yard and
every summer the grass dies underneath it from lack of sun (and rain
I'm sure) Now it's just a dirt area. Is there anything I can plant
underneath of it that would grow without a lot of encouragement? I need
something pretty sturdy because I have a large dog that likes to run in
my yard several times a day, though she's not really destructive. I
thought about ivy but I was wondering if there's anything else?

Thanks,
Pat


Wintergreen. Very cold-hardy for your zone 5/6. It makes a nice shade
groundcover, is evergreen, has small white flowers & big red berries,
leaves that emerge red. The berries & leaves can be harvested & easily
fermented for an amazingly flavorful drink. It's a rugged little plant &
you should be able to bamboo-rake fallen leaves right off of it in autumn,
&amp the dog oughtn't ruin it. About wintergreen:
http://www.paghat.com/wintergreen.html

You could also include Japanese anemones for something bigger that blooms
fabulously late in the year. It couldn't have a dog rolling on it, but if
she doesn't jump on bigger plants it'll only be at risk when first
emerging each spring.

-paghat the ratgirl
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