Marianne's Response

What Are the Low-Light Dog-Proof Ground Cover Options?

Dear Marianne,

I live in Lacey and have a small, mostly-shaded backyard. I had it well established, but now that I have a large dog, what little grass managed to grow back there has disappeared.
In the shadiest areas, I grow a variety of low-light lovers, such as hosta, fern, laurel, Japanese maple, anemone, and so on. But I am hoping to find a ground cover that will withstand the dog and take over for the feeble grass that grew in the few areas that get patchy sunlight during the summer days, not to mention make it through the winter. I would love something like thyme or something similar.
Am I hoping for too much, or is there something out there that would keep my backyard from becoming a mud patch? If so, what would I have to do to get it established?

Heather in Lacey

Posted by hfrye on March 18, 2010

Marianne's Response

Well Heather there is no groundcover tougher than lawn so don't expect the thyme to survive the dog. I suggest a mulch of cedar chips on top of the mud and grow your plants in raised beds to protect them from doggy paws. Cedar chips or shavings are also called hog fuel and are cheap, repel fleas and available in your area where they sell bark and soil. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

    Search the Ask the Gardening Expert library

    Looking for a quick resolution to your problem? Marianne has answered thousands of gardening questions. One may be similar to yours. Try searching our library to get the answer you need — fast!

    My Topics

    View questions you submitted to Marianne in the past

    VIEW MY QUESTIONS