Most yards exhibit some problem areas before serious gardening begins.  In some cases, lawn problems will persist even after years of gardening know how has been applied.  What the most successful gardeners understand is that pinpoint lawn problems early allows for quick application of long-term solutions. 

Common lawn problems for home gardens are:

• bare spots
• dry zones
• eroded areas

Remedying any of these problems in your own future or current garden requires only the simplest eye for detail.  Stepping back to consider these no-grow zones, assess the amount of sunlight this part of your yard gets.  Some no-grows happen in full sun, others in pure shade, and still others in part sun/part shade. 

Whatever level of light your no-grow zone receives, there is a ground cover plant that will cure your rough spot.  Bright, rich foliage, seasonal flowers, and texture will transform your garden doldrums to points of pride.

Full Sun Ground Covers

Two choices reign for full sun ground cover use:

• sedum
• vinca minor

Many full-sun problem areas also suffer from dry, drought conditions.  A perfect choice for your drought-like full sun no-grow zone is sedum.  Succulent and vibrant, sedum thrives in a variety of conditions.  Plant in bright zones, even where watering may occur only infrequently.  Attractive leaves make lovely backdrops for spikes of delicate purple flowers, and these attract butterflies and other pollinators for even more color in your former dusty spaces.

Vinca Ralph Shugert also known as large leaf periwinkle, works well across the light spectrum.  Use it from full sun to full shade, and be astounded as this fast-growing ground cover quickly transforms your no-grow zone to a delightful vision of green leaves and purple flowers. Plant vinca major with caution as it can easily become invasive. Performs best in ditches and large open areas. Vinca minor is a comparable growing ground cover without being as invasive.

Partial Sun Ground Covers

Low sun areas have special needs and can be hard to match.  Pachysandra is the perfect ground cover choice for areas where light is available but inconsistent.  Verdant, fast-growing, and evergreen, pachysandra brings an elegant touch to woodland gardens, edgings and fill-in gardening, and layered beds.

Partial to moist, well-drained soil, pachysandra terminalis is otherwise fairly undemanding.  Consider planting one for every foot of space as these grow best in dense groupings.  Watering should be frequent and consistent throughout establishment, but once this has been achieved, pachysandra almost cares for itself in its recommended zones.

Vinca Minor is another excellent choice for partial sun and full shade areas.  Similar to its bolder sibling, vinca major, vinca minor produces smaller but still lovely leaves accompanied by purple flowers in spring.  Also, prone to quick growth, vinca minor helps make bare spots in your shadier areas a reality in no time.

Full Shade Ground Covers

Among the favorites for the shadiest spots in any garden are ajuga.  Deciduous, ajuga thrives in full shade during warmer months, then dies back during the winter. But don’t despair. Wherever ajuga is successfully established, it will return for years to come.  Available in a variety of shades, ajuga produces charming spikes of blue to purple flowers in spring and summer. 

And if ajuga charms you but there is no shade to offer, celebrate its natural versatility.  In  fact,ajuga wants to be a part of your garden regardless of sun or shade and will thrive in any level of light. 

Dealing with no-grow zones may, indeed, be your first step to creating the tranquil garden space of which you have always dreamed.  Get started today for elegant transformations that benefit the world.