Hello all, can anyone help a new. . .

Well, you could try some ground covering Thyme. You can even walk on it and it smells good!

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss, South East Ontario 5a

lilly of the valley is evasive, difficult to get rid of and can choke out other plants

Hostas work….........you already know that

I plant these flowers that love shade, get about 18” high, bloom well into the fall, (love water).......for the life of me I never remember thier name till I see them.

sorry

-- Central northish Ontario

You can try some shade-tolerant myrtle or even some sweet woodruff for some nice ground cover with a bit of height. The latter has nice white blooms and smells of newly mown hay (intoxicating!).

-- Living on the square...Metro Detroit

I would think that Ferns would love it under your pines. With the needles and dappled shade the soil would be rich and moist and Ferns love that. There are so many beautiful varieties of Ferns now—Japanese Painted, Lady, Ostrich Plume to name a few. Astilbe and Bleeding Heart (which comes in a dwarf variety now) are good too … plus you could throw in a few Impatiens for continual color. Make a lovely bed under your pine.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Had to look up this ground cover that I was growing at our old home … shade loving and flowered for what seemed like forever … it is called Lamium Maculatum “Purple Dragon”. It gets big 6-inch clusters of snapdragon-like flowers. The leaves are whitish-silver, shading into dark green around the edges. It spreads like crazy once established.

What I loved was even when it wasn’t blooming the leaves and plant itself were just beautiful.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

impatients

-- Central northish Ontario

If any one can kill a plant it is me

I Planted one year a lot of lilly of the valley under a huge pine. I thought I was going to have all this beautiful fragrance as I sat on the swing handy the tree

Within 3 years they all disappeared Wonder why
I have a few hostas under that tree and few other flowers since years and they do ok

And yes I was told Lilly of the valley was invasive too. So what might have killed them?

thanks

-- NS Zone 5B 200 KM East of Halifax cheers Bunting------Having a place to go – is a home. Having someone to love – is a family.

Howdy MailmanShawn! Forgot to mention this morning that I saw that gound cover that I mentioned “Purple Dragon” at Home Depot. Not sure if Lowe’s carries it, as I haven’t been over there to check their flowers out yet. Anywho wanted to say something in case you wanted to check it out.

I was thinking … another place that might have your Calla Lilly bulbs is the Farmer’s Market here in Royal Oak on Saturdays. They seem to have a bit of everything there. I’ll keep my eyes open to see if I find any. Will let ya know if I see any.

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Alright everyone, thanks so much for the suggestions. I’m heading out to look for some of your suggestions right now. I’m going to try to get some pictures posted of my new plantings ASAP. And I found my Callas, so I’m okay on that front.

-- Delivering mail and picking up garden tips! Zone 5a/5b

Have fun … glad you found your Callas …

-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b

Welcome Shawn! Will be looking for your updates. I’m a newbie and have lots to learn.

-- blooz 5b - You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. ~author unkown