There are plenty of shade ground cover plants that can be used in place of standard grass. These perennial ground covers will naturally spread over time to create a lush carpet under trees ...

A: Pecan hulls make a lovely mulch in a perennial garden or shrub bed ... shade will eventually cause the grass to thin out ...

Q: Our neighbor has a large magnolia tree that casts very heavy shade into our yard ... to grow either turfgrass or hostas there. What ground cover would have the best chance of succeeding?