Ground cover for shade

Poly-anthus · August 2023

I've had a big forsythia cut down. It was against a fence and getting far too big and not flowering as I kept chopping bits off to try to keep it in check. There's a Skimmia in front of the space where it was, but now there's a lot of bare earth which will fill up with weeds. Whatever I plant won't be seen - it just needs to keep the weeds down. I thought of maybe vinca minor, ajuga, pulmonaria? Any suggestions welcome. Thank you.

plant pauper · August 2023

London pride! Saxifrage x urbium.
Old fashioned but still one of my favourites and likes a bit of shade.

Ladybird4 · August 2023

I grow epimediums and geranium phaeum in my shady areas.

Fairygirl · August 2023

Do you mean the area for planting is all behind the skimmia?
You can have a mix of small and tall plants there. Foxgloves, Japanese anemones and Polemonium [Jacob's Ladder] will all do well, and you can add the smaller plants mentioned as well, depending on the size of the area. I also grow Iberis [perennial candytuft] in shade, Hellebores will be fine, and the usual spring bulbs - snowdrops, crocus, lily of the valley, many types of daffs etc. Dicentras and Polygonatum are great for shade too, and will be seen above the skimmia, at least for a while.
Larger plants like Acteas will also grow well if the soil doesn't dry out for any length of time, and the area is big enough.
I'm assuming it's reasonably moist soil though. Many of those won't like dry shade so much, so the soil is a big factor in choosing plants.

Busy-Lizzie · August 2023

I have Brunnera "Jack Frost", epimediums, pulmonaria, geraniums "Phaeum" and "Maccrorhizum" in my dry shade areas.

SalixGold · August 2023

woodruff

B3 · August 2023

I would avoid vinca. It will become a pest . It will cover much more ground than you want it to.
However, the variegated variety is reasonably well- behaved

Poly-anthus · August 2023

Rhank you everyone for your helpful suggestions.

Fairygirl, yes the area is all behind the Skimmia - about a metre by about half a metre. Hopefully though, the Skimmia might grow out towards the fence now that it has more room and more light. Spring bulbs would be wasted as they wouldn't be seen (I have quite a lot further along in that border though, lol) I have split one of my Japanese anemonies and planted it at the end, so if it grows OK, it should be seen over the skimmia. I've also split up some Astilbes - they seem to spread so might cover some ground. Some of the other things suggested I'm not familiar with so I'm off to look them up.

Thanks B3. I wasn't too sure about the vinca. You're right - I'd probably be regretting planting it before too long!

Thanks again.

Fairygirl · August 2023

Yes- it will depend on the current size of the skimmia and how well your conditions suit it. They can get to around a metre in every direction quite easily.

It's not a huge space, so just pick what suits you and what you like. That's what matters. I meant to mention Astilbe - they're ideal. Don't forget native Primulas too. I'd agree about Vinca, although the white ones are less vigorous too.

Good luck with it all - plenty of things will do well.

Poly-anthus · August 2023

Thanks Fairy. Yes, not a huge space, but big enough for the weeds to take over, lol.

Fairygirl · August 2023

That's always the problem!
Plenty of choices though - anything that will cover for most of the year, but give you some flowers - even if it's just over a couple of months, is ideal.
Heucheras are useful too, and aren't so vulnerable to vine weevil when in the ground.

Ground cover for shade

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