Need some tips on moisture and shade tolerant ground covers [View all]

[Stinky The Clown]

I have a low area on our property, which is bisected by a stream. The stream bed is about 30" below grade and shaded. The ground is poorly drained for a distance of maybe 30 feet on one side of the stream and 10 feet on the other. Right now the 30 foot piece is planted with a sorry excuse for a lawn. The rest of our lawn area is in excellent form, but down there the grass is thin and clearly not happy. I can't mow it too often because the tractor sinks into the turf leaving deep ruts and compacting the soil. I have a small hand mower that I use, but even at that, it compacts the soil. When things finally dry out, this area is like concrete, but at least the grass recovers a bit.

Is there a ground cover I can plant that will tolerate having its roots wet at times and dry at other times and is shade tolerant? I really just want to cover the dirt. Mulch would work, but I want something growing if I can get it. I have a bridge over the stream to allow the tractor to cross and will probably lay a gravel or stone path to allow the tractor to transit the wet area without causing mud ruts as I now have. The tractor weighs maybe 1500 to 2000 lbs depending on what's on it, so that's a lot to ask of a mud rut!

I am in central Maryland.