If you are tired of cutting grass or having areas where grass refuses to grow because of shade, now may be the time to consider planting ground covers. There are plants available for any situation.

While there are many ground covers which are well- adapted to sunny locations and numerous suitable to light shade, few are available for dense shade. Fortunately, there are several which are capable of growing in both sun and shade.

The most common of these is English ivy. Plants trail and root as they spread, taking two to three years to cover the ground completely. The speed of coverage is dependent on the spacing of the ivy when planted.

The plants form an impressive carpet of dark green foliage 6 to 8 inches high. English ivy may be planted in the spring or early fall. Fertilize in early spring and midsummer with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Ivy is a very aggressive grower and may need to be cut back after it is established.

Vinca minor, often called myrtle or periwinkle, grows best in shade but does well in the sun in our area. It forms a trailing carpet of ¾-inch shiny leaves that grow about 6 inches tall. In early spring it provides 1-inch lavender blue flowers. Vinca should be planted in the spring or early fall. Set the plants 9 to 12 inches apart. It needs little care once it is established.

Taxes baccate repandens is a low, slow-growing variety of English yew. It forms mounds of needlelike evergreen foliage only 2 to 3 inches high. New stems slowly grow out from the base of the plant.

This plant is female and if there are male yews in the vicinity, it will bear ½-inch red berries. It will grow beneath trees where most plants cannot survive. Plant in the spring; set them 3 feet apart.

Mahonia is an evergreen shrub that grows less than 1 foot tall. The bluish-green, holly shaped leaves are composed of two to three pairs of 2-inch, spiny-edged leaflets. In early spring, it has clusters of bright yellow blossoms followed by a black, grapelike, tiny fruit which is edible and is used for making a tasty jelly.

In our area, the leaves turn bronze in the fall. They can be planted in the spring or in the fall at least eight weeks before the first frost. The plants should be set 12 inches apart.

Liriope spicata, creeping lily turf, forms mounds of grassy foliage that grows 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads rapidly by underground stems. The ¼-inch-wide leaves are evergreen. In our area, they turn yellowish green in the winter. In summer, flower stalks bear elongated clusters of lavender blossoms followed by small, blue berries. It is suitable for both sun and shade and will tolerate drought. Plant it in the spring or fall; space them 12 inches apart.

For maximum performance of all of the ground covers, except lily turf, require a deep, moist soil when grown in full sun.

Established ground covers require a minimum of care. Newly planted beds are potential weed patches. Hand weeding can be minimized by the use of a pre-emergent weed killer. Several of these are available locally. Read the label before purchasing to ascertain that the product is recommended for the ground cover planted.

Pete Hale of Sarver is a Master Gardener with the Penn State Master Gardener program.