• Shady gardens are only suitable for certain plants.shady stone bench image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
  
  Creeping, trailing plants serve a variety of purposes in the garden, acting as ground covers or as a graceful container plants. Though many plants require a full day of sunlight to grow, gardeners with shady gardens have a selection of trailing plants that will tolerate and even thrive in shade.
  
  

Wild Ginger

• Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a creeping perennial that has a low, dense habit. Rarely growing above a foot tall, the plant produces broad, heart-shaped green leaves and brownish purple flowers which appear in spring. The trailing plant is extremely tolerant of shade, and can tolerate partial to full shade. Wild ginger works well as a ground cover in woodland gardens in USDA zones 2 to 8. Plant in moist, well draining soil and check occasionally for pests such as slugs and snails. Once established, the plant is moderately drought tolerant, although it will look its best with regular watering.
  
  

Creeping Fig

• A native of East Asia, creeping fig (Ficus pumila) is a trailing member of the ficus genus that may grow to be up to four stories high. The creeping plant offers glossy, lush green leaves accented by pale green, long fig fruits. Creeping fig may be grown up a wall or trellis, although it is not suitable for wooden supports. Creeping fig is tolerant of a range of light conditions and will grow in full shade or full sun in USDA zones 8 to 11. Creeping fig will grow in a variety of soil types, although it will grow faster in rich, moist soils.
  
  

Carpet Bugleweed

• A member of the mint family, carpet bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is a diminutive plant that grows to a maximum height of about 10 inches. A native of Europe, western Asia and Iran, carpet bugleweed boasts dark green, oval leaves. Different cultivars offer different flower colors, including pink and purple. Cultivars with variegated leaves are also available. Carpet bugleweed prefers shady situations, and will grow best in partial or light shade. Grow the evergreen perennial in a well draining soil in USDA zones 4 to 9. Carpet bugleweed may become invasive or aggressive in soils that are kept moist to the touch.