I am looking for plant recommendations for an area of my lawn that is heavily shaded – and I mean zero sun. I live in Northern, NJ, Zone 6. Between tree coverage, the house, a deck and other obstacles, I have an area approximately 20 feet wide by 40 feet long that gets almost zero sun. On one long side is my neighbor’s chain link fence. The other long side is my house and deck. The ground is shaped sort of like a “U” meaning that the chain link side is high, the ground runs down hill, then starts to go back uphill toward the house. I can use the fence to put a vine or some type of hanging plant.

If possible, I would like some type of bushes next to the house and then a low height, low maintenance ground cover. At the extreme edges (the 20 foot sides), there is a little sun (1-2 hours a day?). So, planting something there that kind of breaks up or outlines the area would be nice. Deer, raccoons, rabbits, and other animals are abundant in my area. There would also be a lot of leaves falling in the area in the winter. The soil is pretty acidic with a high percentage of clay.

One final piece of information, while regrading the area, I put down a plastic liner to help keep water away from the house. 2 inches of soil went on top of that (although much has eroded away). I plan on adding more soil and then planting. I can punch holes in the plastic if needed, but the less labor, the less cost, etc. the better. Is there anything with shallow roots?

Several people in the area seem to have Pachysandras. So, I guess they would work, but given the size of the area, they may be cost prohibitive. (Can you buy seeds for these, or is that not a good idea?)

I am also interested in Oregon Grapes, but don’t know if it would work.

Love to hear your recommendations.

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Help!!!

oh, yeah...

put holes in the plastic to plant. never plant on top of it.

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Actually, I like Periwinkle and Sweet Woodruff. They will both do very well in an area that is heavily shaded.

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