Comparative Study on Shade Tolerance of Three Groundcover Species and Their Application to Landscape Architecture

The light compensation point, light saturation point, maximum net photosynthesis rate and chlorophyll content of three groundcover species Lycoris radiate, Oxalis corniculata, and Ophiopogon japonicus were comparatively studied under different shading treatment. The results indicated that the shade tolerance of the three species was ranked in the order as: Ophiopogon japonicus > Lycoris radiate > Oxalis corniculata, Lycoris radiate and Ophiopogon japonicus were able to adapt to a wider range of light intensity than Oxalis corniculata. Therefore, Oxalis corniculata was recommended be planted in the open area with direct sunshine, Lycoris radiate should be grown under sparse plantation with less shade, or beside buildings with diffusive solar radiation, Ophiopogon japonicus could be used on the north side of the buildings or under the evergreen tree species with strong shade.