Tough Perennials for Dry Shade

The ground under mature trees is often dry shade: canopy intercepts rain, roots compete, and grass fails. Fighting for a perfect lawn there wastes water and time.

Look to perennials and groundcovers adapted to those conditions, improve soil carefully without burying tree flares, and water deeply during establishment. Mulch helps, but volcano mulch against trunks does not.

Redesigning dry shade as a intentional planted space usually looks better — and costs less long-term — than another bag of grass seed.