Hello everyone, I am hoping you can help me figure out an appropriate groundcover for a particular situation.

We are in eastern North Dakota, zone 3. The area is very shaded - under ash trees. We've been unable to get grass to grow well here and, in addition, there is a bit of a mound that makes mowing grass difficult.

The situation is that we live along the Red River and in recent years the spring flooding from the river has become more common and more severe. This part of the yard now is flooded almost every spring. The area in question can stay underwater for as much as two or three weeks. But the floods occur before plants break their winter dormancy so many plants do not seem to be harmed by the prolonged submersion.

This particular spot is located such that a fairly strong current pulls against it. With no grass or groundcover, the soil at the base of the trees is washed away every year exposing the roots of the trees. We have to bring in more topsoil to fill in the root areas.

So, we are looking for a groundcover that forms a dense mat that will hold the soil in place, thrives in shade, hardy to -40�F or lower, and can tolerate spring flooding.

Any suggestions?

Thank you so much for any help.