A Perennial That Loves Shade Will Splash Color Into Your Yard's Dark Corners

Conventional wisdom about plants generally says carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight are the most important ingredients for photosynthesis, but that doesn't mean you're out of luck in a bed of soil that doesn't get a lot of sun. Plenty of options are perfect for growing a gorgeous, healthy shade garden, those that thrive in cooler conditions where the soil stays moist longer. Shady sites might have a harder time maintaining high levels of nutrients that plants love, especially if the dappled sunlight is a result of large trees with extensive root systems underground, but there are plenty of unique plants to consider when compared to traditional garden landscaping. For example, big blue (Liriope muscari) is a great ground cover option in the shade.

Big blue, also called lilyturf, is an evergreen, herbaceous perennial that's native to various regions in Asia. It's an incredibly hardy plant that can grow in partial or deep shade conditions, though it grows slower if it receives little to no sunlight. It is often used to line the edges of walkways and could be a great option to run along the darker corners of fences. The plant will thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 10, which means it could be a garden option across the United States — unless you live in the far north or northeastern regions. Even better, big blue blooms beautiful lilac flowers in the summer, making it a great choice for shade garden enthusiasts who don't want to lose out on colorful seasons.

The hardiness of big blue extends to a variety of conditions under which it can grow. This member of the Asparagaceae (or asparagus) family can be planted in downright awful soil, everything from clay-like textures to sandy or shallow, rocky dirt. While it grows best in well-drained, moist soil, the kind you might find in shadier areas, it can also adapt to occasionally dry conditions. Big blue also offers numerous resistances to common plant killers that make it a perfect long-term option to build your garden around. It resists animals like deer and rabbits, erosion, some foot traffic, and salt that might be spread during the winter.

For all of these benefits, big blue is also a low-maintenance plant for gardeners. It can grow with less than 12 inches of space in acidic to neutral soil, meaning you won't have to do much in terms of augmenting the soil for factors like pH. It's also a very drought-resistant plant, making it one of many silver foliage plants that can thrive in drought-prone West Coast gardens. Ground covers are a good substitute for traditional lawn grasses in the way they outcompete weeds and hold soil together to combat erosion and water loss, so using a hearty plant like big blue is smart for anyone looking to shore up their soil quality and prepare for more seeds to sow going forward.

While there are plenty of good reasons to consider planting big blue in your shade garden, you should also be aware of its drawbacks before going all in. Most notably, the small black berries produced by big blue (which ripen during autumnal months) are slightly poisonous to humans. Though the plant doesn't have many problems with regards to pest or insect resistance, it is prone to being infested by scales and root-knot nematodes. It is also known to succumb to several different diseases including leaf and crown rot, anthracnose, and southern blight.

Furthermore, big blue is listed as invasive in Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina. Plus, it's listed in the University of Florida's non-native plant database as having a moderate risk of invasion due to its quick, suckering growth habits. If you live in an area where this plant is invasive, dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus) could be an alternative garden border option. If it is safe to grow in your area, big blue makes a strong companion for other fast-growing, shade-loving plants like impatiens that are great for beginner gardeners. Keeping some of your shade garden plants in containers alongside the main bed might be a good way to prevent the uncontrolled spread of flora like big blue if you want that extra layer of protection.