[rightly_dividing]

We have a shaded yard that has bare spots under mature trees, some oaks and a magnolia. Being on a hill we need something to grow there because of erosion. I am aware of vinca as an annual flower for shaded areas that has to be repurchased and planted each year. I would like a grass, but anything that will hold the soil in place would do. Any thoughts?

[CaspersGh0sts]

There is a newer, shade-tolerant bermuda grass (tifgrand).

Otherwise look into shade tolerant fescues (creeping red fescue).

[elli1]

Alex, wrong vinca. You need to look at vinca minor. It's a semi-evergreen vining/ trailing plant. Widely adaptable; I've grown it in NW Oklahoma & here in central Wisconsin. Needs to be in a bed because it won't stand up to foot traffic. Will take a couple of years to firmly establish & cover.

http://hcs.osu.edu/hcs/tmi/plantlist/vi_minor.html

[AlexW]

“I am aware of vinca as an annual flower for shaded areas that has to be repurchased and planted each year.”
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No, vinca is a perennial, unless you have such extreme low
temps to kill it.
You can look up the vincas, (major and minor) on Wikipedia.
They are among the favorites as a ground cover in light to heavy shade..
I grew some of it to wholesale to the nursery trade in Memphis.