I recently moved into a house in central Vermont and am trying to convert the large yard into something other than lawn. The southern edge of the yard, under pines, hemlocks, and beech trees, has a lot of moss and ferns (maybe lady ferns?), as well as some grass and buckthorn saplings. I'd like to get rid of the grass and buckthorn and incorporate some more diversity to the area, with low-growing ground cover and some full-shade perennials. Is there a way to discourage the grass from growing without destroying the moss?

I've quite enjoyed a patch of golden creeping Jenny, or Lysimachia nummelaria 'Aurea', in a dark, boggy corner near my fence. It's really bright, which might look nice with the white wall. Another plant that might serve is one I use as a hanging basket plant in central Ohio, but is apparently popular as a groundcover farther south -- Tradescantia spathacea. Moses-in-a-basket, boat lily, oyster plant are some of the common names. Mine is a dark purple with lavendar stripes, and I take cuttings every fall to plant it out in the summer, because I have trouble keeping it watered enough all summer here. Good luck -- it sounds like a very tricky spot!

This book helped me out a lot when I wanted to expand our shade gardens. Year round interest is possible and foliage can be beautiful especially in your zone! In another garden we have everbearing strawberries that are partly shaded by fruit trees in summer, but produce a good 1st crop. If you have a sunnier location you can get ideas on the square foot gardening forum for edible plants. Here is a link that might be useful: Making the Most of Shade: How to Plan, Plant, and Grow a Fabulous Garden that Lightens up the Shadows

Hi oska, and Welcome, sadly there is not much traffic here these days.. I have the same problem as you in my garden so many tall gums trees on the 3/4 acre block masses of roots everywhere so we have to dig rather large holes if just to loosen up the soil and add other soil from down the chook yard plus home made compost you really have to keep working at it and we mulch thickly and buy large rounds of Sugar Cane mulch when we are able. I have just bought two beehive gingers and a red torch lily and even thought they are under those trees and have only been in the soil for four weeks there is lots of new growth coming up. I also have bromeliads there too some with coloured leaves and flowers.. I too have a heliconia or two and find they do better out of the sun in dappled shade same as the ginger which needs a fair bit of water to get them going.. I am a great believer in Seasol and shower the plants after putting into the garden and every couple of weeks because if the drought. With no shortage of rain up where you are in the summer and you say you keep up the water I am surprised that your Gingers have died what a shame.. Broms are great for colour here are a few of mine I have no ideas of the names as I buy them from the Sunday Markets down here. Love the red flower on this one. This one came with a bonus. I also have the ones with the bright pink edges Neon's I think they are called. Elk or stag horns the trees, begonia, orchids, Canna lilies, ferns at the base of trees, cycads are nice even the sago palm looks good under trees.. And don't forget the bougainvillea if you don't want the big ones how about the dwarf or bambino ones in pots for some colour though they like the sun. Evita. And the hibiscus for a bit of colour sometime the white gives such a cooling effect. Swan Lake. Louisiana Iris are supposed to grow well in wet areas. I hope this is a little help. And good luck with your garden...Misty.