In article Vu_Tb.396795$X%5.163750@pd7tw2no, "Joseph Chong"
wrote:
Hey
Under my deck is an area that previous owner just covered with flat pebbles.
I am thinking about greening it up. I live in a zone 8-9, Vancouver BC.
The deck faces north and not a lot of light but enough in summer to grow
some lilies near that area.
Any ideas for a good perrineal gorund cover that will live in those
conditions. Not much water will get there, unless I water it. Nothing too
invasive either.
jc
Vinca major will thrive in such conditions, with big purple-blue flowers
& large evergreen leaves. It snakes about in the shadows & will not
leave the underside of a deck if that would mean crossing sunny areas. But
if there is a strip of perpetual shade, it will find it & spread through
the shade. It has an invasive rep but in reality its unwillingness to
cross sunny areas & the ease with which it can be pulled up make it easy
to contain -- it's only invasive when ignored & where it can find its way
from one shady spot to the next via gullies or other shady strips. There
are a couple of fancier cultivars that are more delicate but should still
do fine in "under-the-deck" type locations.
Alternatively Cyclamen hederifolium would be a good choice, as dry shade
is their thing; they bloom autumn & keep their ornate leaves until March.
Can't plant both cyclamens & Vinca major though, as the big vinca would
completely overwhelm the very short cyclamens.
-paghat the ratgirl
--
"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
See the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl:
http://www.paghat.com/