If you have trouble growing anything in the shady areas of your yard, then some of the shade-tolerant groundcovers may be what you need. Ajuga is a very low maintenance plant. Because of its small stature, it doesn’t need to be cut back each spring and the flowers don’t need any deadheading. Also known as carpetweed or bugleweed, Ajuga reptans is a perennial that is typically hardy in zones 3 to 9.