I've got an oak that just can't seem to keep anything growing under it. The area of the street it is near is also a low point so water stands in that area, so the ground is often times wet and soggy after days and days of wet wx like we've had and it's the slowest to dry out after the wet wx goes away.

Would I be able to grow something like the attached picture under it? If so, how do I go about starting to grow this? Well first, what is it called ha. Do I need to put dirt down all over the roots, which are quote exposed amd then plant this ground cover? Of it stays wet,, am i just SOL? I'm tired of the recurring eyesore.

That is Asian Jasmine, and it is pretty low maintenance. They will have sprigs of it at Lowes or any local nursery. Just buy a flat and plant it around the tree.

And it will grow and cover the roots? Thanks on the info. How fast does it generally go from new planting to what you see in the photo?

Yes, it is a vine, but it's pretty slow growing and you can maintain it with your weedeater. Someone else will have to chime in on how fast it will grow. I planted some last year in a bare spot, but I did it in the middle of the summer heat, then the arctic blast happened, and some of it died and the rest hasn't done much.

I just put down some fresh sprigs of it before all this rain in DFW, so we'll see how that takes off. You'll see it in every single neighborhood as ground cover, though.

Yea its all over my hood and probably the best thing for that spot seeing as I dont want to try and spend much on landscaping to make it look nice. Thanks again!

Grew up my 8' trellis in about a year and a half. I keep the ground stuff trimmed, so not sure how fast it spreads horizontally.

it grows in spurts - early spring, but it is slow

I have a short window to plant, ill check with the garden center for availability. Thanks!

When you planted it will seem like it isn't going to spread for a long time but then all of a sudden it will spread pretty quickly probably will take a year though

I did exactly that (Jasmine) under my oak tree in front. Got tired of adding soil and re sodding. It's only been about 6 weeks so it hasn't started spreading yet.

I put in some asiatic jasmine 2 years ago. There are at least 3 cultivars that i know of. Ours was slow to spread initially, but seems to be taking off with the wet spring. Plant them 12 inches on center for the best coverage. I did not initially and wish i had. Other ground covers to consider are ajuga, liriope, and mondo grass. All grow well in shade.

Whatever you do DO NOT cover up the root flare of the tree!

One of our local garden radio show host here in San Antonio always says "the first year the sleep, the second year the creep, the 3rd year they leap"

Texker said:

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Whatever you do DO NOT cover up the root flare of the tree!

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I've seen this posted before but I find it hard to believe that Asian jasmine covering your root flare would be a problem. Soil and mulch I totally agree, but I think the ground cover wouldn't smother the root flare.

The pros are pretty unanimous on keeping things off the root flare. Certainly wouldn't hurt anything to keep it trimmed back.