Need shade lore

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ballyshannon Hillsdale, NY Jul 24, 2007

Can someone recommend shade groundcover for a Zone 5? Outside of violets, I dont know what to use that is low and sort of maintenance free. I mean, I'm going to transplant violets there, but I have a vast area to cover, and I dont know what can survive without feeding. I have an acid clay soil, and my experience is in So. Calif with a rich soil, so I am pretty green here- pun intended.

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kls_01 Champaign, IL(Zone 5b) Jul 24, 2007

Vinca or perriwinkle. I think it may be evergreen and has at least blue and white blooms. Also, creeping wintergreen. Its evergreen and gets red berries. Also, spotted dead nettle. I have some of this, and so far it hasn't spread hardly at all. I planted it in May. If you want something fragrant that flowers, you could try lily of the valley. They have white and pink ones....that I've seen anyway. The flowers don't last too long, but smell great and the foliage stays the rest of the season.

Here's a link to some ground covers at Park Seed...there's some good ideas.

Hope this helps a little!

Kristie

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cathy4 St. Louis County, MO(Zone 5a) Jul 24, 2007

I agree, vinca vine is perfect for shade. I grow it across the back of my house. It doesn't strangle other plants you might want to grow in it.

Remember with violets that they are hard to get rid of if you change your mind.

Cathy in St. Louis

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ballyshannon Hillsdale, NY Jul 27, 2007

Thanks for the suggestions. I have to admit that "dead nettle" sounds awfully unattractive and unlikely- but I looked it up, and it's quite handsome! Where did it get a name like that?- doesnt begin to resemble nettle. I am going to try to find a supply.

Vinca I guess spreads better, but it's not as cute.

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kls_01 Champaign, IL(Zone 5b) Jul 27, 2007

There is variegated vinca too...the dead nettle I have is Anne Greenaway...It is pretty and gets pretty purple flowers...it can get leggy though...I think trimming helps. I've been trimming it and planting the cuttings in the ground...I'd say about 50% of the cuttings are still alive....

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