What are some good creeping plants for shady areas?
Asked by GardenGnome42
Hey everyone! I'm looking to fill in a shady bank in my garden, and I've been considering creeping phlox, but I've learned it really needs full sun to thrive. I'm on the hunt for some dwarf plants that can creep and do well in partial to full shade. Flowering plants would be a bonus, but I know that can be tricky in these conditions. Any suggestions?
Answers
When I first moved into my house, I faced a similar issue with a dead patch in a shaded corner. I bought the Shade Loving Collection from Beth Chatto, and it was a game-changer! It includes loads of varieties, and I found some great ground covers like Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver' and Geranium macrorrhizum 'Album'. They're thriving now! You should definitely check out the options available for shady conditions.
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Woodruff is a great option! It has small, palmate leaves and produces lovely white flowers. I planted a couple of small herb pots about five years ago, and now it covers around 50 square meters of my garden!
FlowerPower808: Absolutely! It's quite a beautiful and underappreciated plant. Plus, it has medicinal uses too.
CuriousGardener: I've heard about Woodruff, but I came across something saying it loses its leaves in winter. Is that true?
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You can't go wrong with Vinca minor for ground cover. As for my favorite, I love perennial forget-me-nots, especially 'Jack Frost' with its stunning variegated silver leaves! They thrive in shady areas too.
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You might want to try Vinca Minor, aka lesser periwinkle! It’s got purple flowers and works really well as a ground cover in shady spots.
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Pachysandra terminalis can look really lush and I've just planted some. Also consider Gaultheria procumbens; it has big red berries. Another plant I've noted is Asarum europaeum, although I haven't grown it myself—it supposedly has hidden flowers. Bergenia is great too; they spread easily and have pretty pink flowers on stalks right now!
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SunshineGardener: Thanks for the link! I see a lot of hostas in it, and we have a couple planted in another part of the garden that might also be shady. I had a giant conifer casting a shadow, but since it came down in the last storm, some light is finally coming in!