What about one of these? https://www.stepables.com/1/Dry_Shade_STEPABLES.html

Little Star Creeper caught my eye, but it depends what zone you're in.

My first thought was sagina subulata (Irish moss, Scotch moss) and I see that Stepables, from the link in the post above, shows both.

Thanks, Paul. I tried those 2 last year. They didn't make it.

Ajuga aka bugleweed

The trick is finding something that will tolerate both wet shade and drier conditions. My favorites for this purpose would not be hardy for zone 5 and lean more to moist shady conditions rather than dry. If you can maintain some soil moisture during dry periods, blue star creeper (Laurentia fluviatiis) or Mazus reptans should work in this location.

Thank you. I will pick up quarts of blue star creeper or Mazus reptans to test. I know I have seen those in stores.

My garden club had their annual plant sale yesterday. I got quarts of european ginger to test also. They also had a ground cover astilbe. I had never heard of such a thing. But I got 2.

I have 3 hydrangeas and a couple of hosta divisions just off the path, under the big juniper. Given the varying conditions I'm surprised they are still alive but they do fairly well. Could be because their roots are deeper than that of the ground covers.

And the last ground cover left standing (er, alive) WINS!

I found blue star creeper and Mazus reptans today. But the tag for blue star creeper stated full sun. I bought it anyway. I will have to do more research and find out if it tolerates more shade.

I found the Steppables line at 2 other stores: but they only had a few of the line, and all for sun.

I am currently watching a tremendous battle between a large patch of lamium orvala and an even larger patch of violets (v.riviana?)...both of which are doing (too) well in my dry shady wood. Starting from a single plant of each, the combined spread is around 8square metres...so some brutal spadework has been in order...but since any blank space in my wood is instantly colonised with silene dioica or various labiates with less welcome flowers, I am not unhappy about the colonising abilities of either the violets or lamium...and when they meet up with the patch of self-heal (prunella) I may sell seats for the gladiatorial spectacle.

All have sterling, ground covering, weed repelling, properties...but I may live to rue the day...

The phlox stolonifera (corrected after reading peren's post) has been less than stellar., vanishing mysteriously in year2), .but the little creeping woodruffs (gallium sp.) have been a good choice..and primula vulgaris has divided to form thick, evergreen colonies of gorgeously textured leaves..

Try Veronica Georgia Blue which is fine-textured and has done well for me in both sun and shade, though it grows more densely in sun.