does anyone have any suggestions on ground covering plants that will grow well in south Louisiana. I have a very large live oak tree in the front yard. it is basically all dirt underneath it. Probably about 30x30 in size maybe even a little bigger. I'm wanting to put some landscape timbers around the area then plant some sort of vine or ivy or something. but I also want it to look pretty as well. I don't have a large budget... any suggestions? the area is mostly shaded with very little sun.

This post was edited on 9/20/23 at 1:25 pm

4 ...

Report Post

Posted by Shexter

Prairieville

Member since Feb 2014

13881 posts

Posted on 9/20/23 at 1:25 pm to cajunboi03

Iron plants seem to be the go to in Baton Rouge

Jasmine is another common ground cover around oaks

Personally, I have spider plants around my trees. They don't grow as dense as jasmine, but they look great and multiply quickly.

This post was edited on 9/20/23 at 1:30 pm

3 ...

Report Post

Posted by cajunboi03

false river

Member since Aug 2014

247 posts

Posted on 9/20/23 at 1:55 pm to Shexter

I really like the spider plants. how do you go about planting that, for such a large area and where can I get some ya think?

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by Ingeniero

Baton Rouge

Member since Dec 2013

18285 posts

Posted on 9/20/23 at 3:12 pm to cajunboi03

Put me down as a jasmine hater. It looks good when it's tamed but it climbs, gets sticky, and is hard as hell to kill when you're ready to get rid of it. I hate mine.

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by Zappas Stache

Utility Muffin Research Kitchen

Member since Apr 2009

38689 posts

Posted on 9/20/23 at 4:07 pm to Shexter

quote:
I have spider plants around my trees

They are cold hardy down there?

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by bayoubengals88

Member since Sep 2007

18924 posts

Posted on 9/20/23 at 4:55 pm to Shexter

quote:
spider plants

How well do they tolerate shade?

This post was edited on 9/20/23 at 5:05 pm

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Shexter

Prairieville

Member since Feb 2014

13881 posts

Posted on 9/20/23 at 8:45 pm to Zappas Stache

The ones I have under the trees survive year round. The ones in the open yard die back with the frost, but pop back up in the spring

quote:
really like the spider plants. how do you go about planting that, for such a large area and where can I get some ya think

They pop out new growth that roots when it hits the ground. I've even taken the new growth, clipped them off, and planted wherever needed

This post was edited on 9/20/23 at 9:29 pm

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by FlyinTiger93

Member since May 2010

3581 posts

Posted on 9/21/23 at 8:01 am to Ingeniero

quote:
Put me down as a jasmine hater.

One of the worst plants for under a tree. It is nitrogen depleting, so counter productive.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Spankum

Miss-sippi

Member since Jan 2007

56030 posts

Posted on 9/21/23 at 9:37 pm to Ingeniero

quote:
Put me down as a jasmine hater.

Same here…I have been trying to kill mine for more than a year.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by heatom2

At the plant, baw.

Member since Nov 2010

12810 posts

Posted on 9/21/23 at 9:51 pm to cajunboi03

Piggy backing on this, I have a shaded side of my house that I’m worried about dirt runoff with rain.

Any suggestions specific to that? Make a flower bed area and plant some shade resistant ground cover?

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by jlsufan

Baton Rouge

Member since May 2021

262 posts

Posted on 9/21/23 at 10:13 pm to cajunboi03

japanese ardisia

LINK

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Kattail

Member since Aug 2020

3329 posts

Posted on 9/24/23 at 8:23 am to cajunboi03

Cheapest route is to have a few in pots and take the babies when they multiply. Spider plants is a good option, I have several growing in the ground that rooted while still attached it Mom. I was surprised that they all survived last winter with about 4 days of app 25 degrees.

Edit to add: they thrive with bright indirect sun.

This post was edited on 9/24/23 at 8:26 am

Page 1