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Shady spots

auntie bettyauntie betty Posts: 208
in Plants

Hey all, I'm in need of some low-growing plants to cover ground and perhaps even trail down at the front of some dry stone terrace walls. Its all partially or even fully shady and slugs and snails are a nightmare because of the nooks and crannies in the walls. Soil is loamy - pretty neither/nor in terms of moisture, as is pH. I already use london pride, various ajugas and a very low spready geranium but am after some new ideas. Have tried aubrieta, but this just gets eaten within days of planting, as do sedums and veronicas. I want something mat-forming really, to cover ground and do a bit against weeds. Invasiveness isn't an issue as all the areas are easily accessible and maximum foliage height would want to be less than 6 inches - the flatter the better, as my to little boys tend to stampede about. Any ideas? Bx

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,295

    sounds like a good place for woodruff, Galium odoratum.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Gardening GrandmaGardening Grandma Posts: 1,746

     Here is a link that might possibly help.

    http://www.insidebainbridge.com/tag/slug-resistant-shade-plants/

  • cilmericilmeri Posts: 116

    Hello,  just browsing and found this thread...shady spots and slugs (ugh tell me about them)..

    mat forming? saxifrage could be useful...rosettes with pale pink flowers on stems...

    can you help me out here nutcutlet...can't recall the name.

    The  link is exellent GG great list, so betwenn it and the frogs I could be slug free by the end of summer! image

    Good luck Bx

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,295

    One of these cilmeri?

    Saxifraga caespitosa, I cheated and looked them up. image

     

    http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/plants/5petal/saxi/saxifraga/cespitosa/subgemmifera/subgemmifera4a.jpg



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • cilmericilmeri Posts: 116

    Hmmm, looked in the good old 'The Flower Expert' book...find that I'm thinking of what is considered a 'front-of-the-border' Saxifraga umbrosa...flat green rosettes, starry flowers on 8" stems..prolific spreader...

    now realise I have S.caespitosa overflowing in a saucer shaped dish and not knowing the name..thanks image lovely pink flowers in summer.

  • auntie bettyauntie betty Posts: 208

    The london pride I mentioned is saxifraga x urbium - fleshy rosettes with teeny pale pink flower sprays on thin 6 inch stems. I've tried brunnera and it got eaten. And galium's a bit tall - I'm thinking more flat and cushiony like path edging... Shall check out that link and see if there's anything there. I may also start the hunt for another diddy geranium. Mine's very pale pink. I've already got tonnes of it so could do with a different colour. Hmm... Thanks all x

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