What ground covers are good for shady areas?
A. This is one of the most commonly asked questions and the answer depends upon several factors, the most important probably being — what is making it shady? If it is a large tree, or a hedge then the soil is also likely to be quite dry, as the larger plants will be taking most of the available moisture. If it is sheltered under the eaves of a building so that it receives no natural rainfall, the problem is more difficult unless one is prepared to irrigate. Several low growing plants will actually do quite well in this most difficult of garden conditions — dry shade, but most will take longer to establish and require more upfront care for a couple of seasons until they can be left to cope on their own. Suggest the following to your customers: • Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff): bright green foliage borne in whorls around the stems. Small white flowers in early spring. Once established can spread quite rapidly. Height: 3″ to 4″ (8cm to 10 cm) • Epimedium spp. (Bishops hat, Fairy wings,
