I recently lost my pet and buried him under a tree that has a nice bend to it. I really dislike the bare soil left from the grave, so I'm looking for herbaceous plants, grasses, or vines that can cover the area. I'd love to find some options that can thrive in the understory of a forest and are ideally perennial. I live in Zone 7 (DC area), and any advice on how to achieve this would be appreciated. I've tried tall fescue seed before, but it didn't last long. Thanks for any help!
3 Answers
Native plants are a low-maintenance option once they’re established! In my experience up north, bluebells, columbine, ferns, black cohosh, goat's beard, jewelweed, and violets are all pretty resilient. They might adapt well in your area too!
I’m really sorry for your loss; pets really hold a special place in our hearts. You might want to try Geranium sanguineum New Hampshire Purple, which is a native perennial. While their seeds might be hard to find, they're excellent at spreading and could fill the space nicely. They're hardy plants with lovely fall colors and magenta flowers during summer—definitely worth considering! But if you want something with a grassy look, a native sedge could be a great option too.
Astilbe is a fantastic choice for color in shady spots. If you’re leaning towards a grass-like feel, many sedges do great in low light too. You might want to check out the Mt. Cuba Center’s report on sedges in the Mid-Atlantic, it’s pretty helpful!
Thanks for the tip! I'm also curious about seeds. I’d prefer something I can just sprinkle around rather than move plants. Any perennial seeds that might work? Appreciate it!
Sounds good! I’m fine with non-native as long as they aren’t invasive. Just need something that can handle the hot, humid summers in DC. Any other seeds you’d recommend that’ll do well if I just scatter them?