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hedgehog

(36,286 posts)
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 02:16 PM Sep 2012

Up for a challenge?

What you got for groundcover for very dry, very deep shade?

What you got for hanging baskets in very deep shade?

And can someone explain why the English ivy seems to be doing just fine under the porch, but not in front of the porch? I'd love it to spread to cover the dirt in front of the porch, but it's not cooperating.

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Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
1. I can help a little.
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:42 PM
Sep 2012

I have deep shade, and there are 2 ground covers that work for me. My favorite is Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum). This says it likes moist shade, but I will say that I do not have moist conditions and it is very happy. This is one of the very few plants that will grow under my Norway Maple, that seems to put out a chemical that inhibits growth of just about every plant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galium_odoratum

The other one is Pachcysandra, which I am not crazy about, but it is green and grows well in crappy conditions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachysandra

For hanging baskets, since they can be moved around, why not find something that you really like, and occasionally move it into the sun to keep it happy? The only flower that I have that is happy in my shade is begonia, which does very well.

You have me stumped with the English ivy. Obviously it is not happy with your dirt in front of the porch.

Denninmi

(6,581 posts)
2. Well, there is always the dreaded yellow archangel aka false lamium
Fri Sep 7, 2012, 06:53 PM
Sep 2012

Lamiastrum

http://www.perennialreference.com/perennials/lamiastrum.html

Honestly, for the most part I'm sorry I ever planted this stuff, it takes over the world and crowds everything else out.

But it is a real survivor, even deep dry shade.

For hanging baskets in very deep shade, if its too dark for even impatiens to bloom, I would go with interesting low-light foliage plants such as the same kinds of things like lamiastrum, vinca minor, ivy, even throw some tropicals in there. Ferns might be fun, too.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
5. I have this growing too, but
Sat Sep 8, 2012, 01:03 PM
Sep 2012

you noticed that I did not mention it----for the same reason that you stated. Some things are just too invasive for me to, in good conscience, recommend. But you are right, it does work for deep shade. Now if only it could be controlled it would be perfect!

I also did not mention bishop's weed (Aegopodium podagraria) for the same reason.

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
6. Sweet woodruff, most thymes, and pennyroyal grow damn near anywhere.
Tue Sep 18, 2012, 07:15 PM
Sep 2012

Plant them like plugs. They'll fill in the bare areas over time.

 

LaydeeBug

(10,291 posts)
7. I have shade. Geraniums will do well in your hanging baskets and liriope and hostas cover ground
Sat Sep 22, 2012, 12:11 AM
Sep 2012

pretty well. I have a lot of shade too.

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