Landscaping under a large oak tree

I live in SW Louisiana and need to landscape under a very large oak tree. The roots are visible above ground. I want to use a ground cover but I don't know what ground cover is best. The soil is very sandy and hard. What ever I plant must be NO maintenance. Any suggestions?

You should look at the "don't know how to start" thread in this forum by epb in Slidell. It covers the same info.

I have a fruitless mulberry bush and had the same issue.
I have been working on the ground cover for several months. I have found out through my local nurseries, and gardening societies about what grows best in my area.
One of the plants that might do well is Hostas and Caldium (sp?) that is what was suggested for my area.
A little research should bring up some good input.
Good luck,
Anita

Lamium (Deadnettle) is a perfect choice in my book - no maintenance - drought resistant - spreads nicely - always looks good - grows in basically all soils - a real tough plant that is actually good looking. Here are two examples - first, - Lamium maculatum "Chequers" - This plant blooms off and on from about June on with mauve pink blooms. These pics were taken in late May -

Dax

This message was edited Mar 3, 2008 4:47 PM

And a favorite - Lamium maculatum "Silver Beacon" - it shines silver in the shade. Again, this pic was taken in May - by the end of the season, it was about four times larger - Dax

Do you replant this every year?? It appears to be an annual..........

I think Lamium maculatum cultivars are hardy to about zone 3 or so. So I guess if you live somewhere near the Arctic circle then they'd be annuals, but pretty much anywhere else they ought to come back! LOL

Yep, ecrane3 - that's exactly right - and in fact we have just had a melt down for the snow for the first time in three months in Zone 5A. I just went to check, and the Chequers Lamium is actually green under all that snow!! The Silver Beacon is still buried! These guys are real tough cookies! Dax

Lamium maculatum is a European species, although I haven't found anything suggesting it's invasive. However, here are some hardy Louisiana-native spreading plants that like dry sand and partial shade:

* Clitoria mariana (http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLMA4)
* Passiflora incarnata (http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PAIN6)
* Vitis riparia (http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIRI)
* Monarda fistulosa (http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOFI)
* Oligoneuron rigidum (http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OLRIR)
* Phlox pilosa (http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PHPI)

Also, I always think ferns make nice ground cover in a woodland setting.