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Ground cover for damp shade

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  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Lyn said:
    Nice dark leaves tinged purple.
    I always find Ajuga loses its colour in the shade??? But otherwise, yes, great for ground cover.
  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364
    I have a lot of Heuchera,I have collected over the years probably far too many dark coloured, and many of them are getting too big. I also have some new vibrant orangy red ones and a few others which are lovely. However I am running  out of space and they are still a lot in pots. At the moment I am waiting to move the Alliums to a new bed when they have finished and  I can move them. The problem is I see the flipping things and can't resist. 
    I may have to split them up and give some away.



    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    The following plants are great ground cover. Asarum Europaeum, Wild Ginger. Dark glossy rounded leaves that slowly move sideways staying evergreen which is a bonus.

    Bergenia Cordiflolia, a robust plant that is more or less evergreen if not in an exposed position. Tall flowers ranging from pinks to whites, and often tinging red and orange in autumn.

    Houttuynia Cordata 'Chameleon', stays low with interesting leaves and elegant white flowers. Great for colonising bare space.
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Houttuynia Cordata 'Chameleon', stays low with interesting leaves and elegant white flowers. Great for colonising bare space.
    Was looking at that one for a wet, shady bed beside a stream - do you find it takes over or not?
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Asarum Europaeum, Wild Ginger. Dark glossy rounded leaves that slowly move sideways staying evergreen which is a bonus.
    Came across that for the first time yesterday on a visit to a nursery. Bought some to try! OH says it looks like a giant Cyclamen :)
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    DampGardenMan, the Houttuynia Cordata does spread through underground roots. Not for a small space. I recommend it because that's what it does, cover flat space and more...but I'm into tough plants and not decorative fussy narrow band of growing condition plants. You will need to dig up where it pops up in unwanted areas. I don't find that a big chore, but I understand, not all gardeners find that appealing.

    The Wild Ginger has a lovely leaf shape and as your partner says, looks like a giant Cyclamen...stays evergreen in protecting surroundings, and in my opinion, for the type of space the original poster is looking for, will suit that type of surrounding. They also do well in drier soils too, so not a fussy type of plant. Hope it grows well in your garden!
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    I like Brunnera 'Jack Frost', the blue in this photo.  I also have Dicentras and Primula 'Millers Crimson'...  Foxgloves, clematis,  also roses, you don't have to stick with shade lovers...
    I would caution against Houttuynia if you prefer a quiet life...   I like it better in a pot, placed in shallow water at the edge of a small pond... and nowhere else...  
    My neighbour has it, running riot, and won't be long before it ventures into mine..
      
    East Anglia, England
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    DampGardenMan, the Houttuynia Cordata does spread through underground roots. Not for a small space.
    It's a reasonable sized bed (we call it Long Bed as it's about 50' long and 20' deep) so should be OK. I just didn't want to plant something that took off like a rocket and was ineradicable!
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Marlorena said:
    I like Brunnera 'Jack Frost', the blue in this photo.
    Yes, we've always liked that and we've put a plant in (should try three or four really) to see how it "does".
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Marlorena said:
    I would caution against Houttuynia if you prefer a quiet life...
    Noted! We have a bit I pulled up from alongside the stream and stuck in a pot. I've not yet planted it out as I had dim memories of the stuff being a bit of a thug, though that said it's behaving itself alongside the stream.
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