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Re: [SG] Plants to replace hostas

Hello Dot,
        I would not recommend Tiarella for it prefers a reasonably moist soil
during the year to spread and form a groundcover along with some mulch. If
it dries out it sure gets ragged and stays that way until next spring. You
are right in that is a lovely plant in bloom and foliage. Just my opinion.

Dave, I would not recommend the Pineapple mint. Does better in a container
with more light and moisture (along with a guard to keep it from taking
over the garden) Bishop weed is not a bad choice under the circumstance,
but there are others I like better for a garden.

Diana make some excellent suggestions below so I did not include these
above in my recommendations.

Claire has another good choice with the yellow archangel.... if you can
keep it under control and not have it smother other smaller plants. I think
Trilliums would come up trough the foliage and be OK.

----------
> Have you considered the native Tiarella cordifolia? It is available in
many
> varieties, has no pest or disease problems and looks good a great part of
the
> year. One of my special favorites.
> Dot in zone 6b

Also, Pineapple Mint - Try Bishop Weed
Dave

Not variegated, but I am a big fan of Epimediums in this situation. They
can take just about anything once they get established. Vanvoueria hexandra
is also a good choice, though it is deciduous, whereas some of the
Epimediums are.  Gene's suggestion of ephemeral natives is excellent -
Sanguinaria, Erythronium, Anemonella - Or maybe(non-native) for early
spring cover - Anemone nemorosa in any of it's many selected forms.

Diana

Awful as it is, bishop's weed has a some uses.  If used as a ground cover
and
curbed by a lawn mower it could be more attractive than weeds.  Many of
these
invasive ground covers can be used if they do not connect with other
cultivated areas.  We have lamiastrum, the one called yellow archangel (
not
Herman) under trees and this plant will grow where all others fear to
tread.
It has a variegated leaf and yellow flowers.

Claire Peplowski
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