Oy, when I inherited the bed there were hardy geraniums planted in it, and it's been the absolute devil to eliminate them. Not that I have a big problem with Cranebills, but the person who put these in was both color-blind and had no sense of where to plant things. I agree - they ARE effective at covering a big patch of dirt! The White Nancy lamium looks like a good bet to plant in the part of the bed with the clematis - it's Rebecca, and blooms a deep, deep red. And the Veronica Georgia Blue looks AMAZING! I wasn't familiar with that one at all. I had Veronica Goodness Grows in a bed with May Night Salvias at my old house - I didn't know that there were groundcovering, low-growing Veronicas. I did see Wooly Thyme at the Maine gardens - that was a first for me, and it looked good (and felt even better). I don't mind pulling the occasional weed, but this summer - even with our record heat and a big drought - I'd come back from a week vacation and find the entire bed utterly overrun with weeds. If I can get this knocked back to an hour a week maintenance (without engaging in the Mulch Wars) I'm going to be really happy. I know that eventually, the daylilies will fill in, and I'll only have to concern myself with weeds that make it to 2 feet tall. :) Thanks for the great suggestions!

Kenny, Where are you located and what is your USDA zone?

Coral bells are not the longest lived of plants, specially those hybrids with burgundy or purple foliage. You might want to try wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens. It is a native plant, evergreen. Foliage turns reddish with winter cold (sometimes very brightly red) and smells like wintergreen lifsavers when bruised or crushed. Produces small pinkish-white, bell shaped flowers that are followed by rather large bright red berries. Does best in part shade and needs even moisture.

Emily Don't know if I can be of much help as I grow them outdoors one as a Bonsai and another as a yard plant a gold leaf form. Seems to be a bunch of different kinds and for the life of me can't remember which I have.Be kind I'm old lol. They are very easy to grow here and I do nothing special for the yard plant.Don't even water it regularly. The Bonsai is in compacted shagnum and i keep it regularly watered and in spring give it some 20-20-20. they aren't particularly cold sensitive but i don't like to encourage growth until spring mainly because i want it to stay under two feet. Not much help I'm afraid Was hoping someone more knowledgeble would chime in. i have a question for you. Do yours leaves fold at night.?? I've had the bonsai for over 15 years and just now noticed it lol I keep forgetting to check the yard plant for this . gary