I'd agree with that, but, is that 3rd photo anemone canadensis? I don't grow it but that's not what I thought it looked like.

Perhaps A. Sylvestris for the Anemone.

Yes I would say it is A. sylvestris.

I agree with sylvestris too. I grow canadensis and the leaves are different and it isn't a ground cover.

And it's a big thug also!

Dandy_line, I only have 2 clumps of Anemone canadensis, and they haven't spread very much yet. The native Self Heal, Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata is a much bigger problem. I'm thinking about having a Prunella lawn. It's doing a great job at burying the Creeping Charlie. The Prunella got entangled with my Pussytoes and I had to carefully extract it. Do you have any other Anemone species? I've tried A. cylindrica from seed with no success. I have 1 Anemone quinquefolia plant. Do you grow False Rue Anemone, Enemion biternatum? That species is on my bucket list. I've seen videos of entire fields covered with Canada Anemone. I wouldnt let that happen because I try to create as much diversity as possible.

Thank you for the great discussion. Are these decent ground cover options? Are any tolerant of heavy shade? What is everyone’s favorite low, spreading groundcovers? Anyone like ajuga?

Im making a list of native Wyoming ground covers, which are stunning, but here's a link in the meantime.

https://cheyennegardengossip.wordpress.com/category/ground-covers/

Favorite groundcover for shade Geranium macrorrhizum or one of the spreading Epimediums. Chrysogonum virginianum isn't bad either.

I've seen Vinca long escaped into woods in upstate NY and covering acres.

I regret planting ajuga. It escaped into my yard, then into my woods. I keep trying to remove it but there is always more. It seems to love my clay soil.

L. Clark, I looked up a few low growing, ground covering plant species, and I'm sort of jealous because the western states have some priceless jewels. I would assume most of these species are adapted to drier, desert conditions. I got these plant ideas from the Wyoming Native Plant Society, so I don't know if they're all available in the trade, or only offered at native plant nurderies, or if they're available at all? I vote no to Ajuga too. I don't think it's attractive, and it's been way overused, not to mention invasive.

Phlox hoodii

Aquilegia jonesii

Stenotis acaulis

Arenaria hookeri

I've tried six Anemone sylvestris. An utter failure. Not at all thuggish. They are impossible if you have slugs and snails.

Anemone sylvestris was a thug for me. Had to remove it.

I wish ...

Jay, those are beautiful. Not for us here in the Northeast I take it.

Prairie, the west does seem to have more beautiful xeric species than the east. Every eastern state probably has certain dry geologic areas, because they all seem to have an Opuntia species growing somewhere. But the little, delicate saxiphrages, lilies and ferns,etc, that grow in our cool woodland seeps and the Smokies surpass the west imo.

Watch out for the Lamium maculatum. It is also on my hit list. The previous owners planted it and I have spent ten years trying to get it all. I just noticed some more lately that is hanging on. It sets fairly deep roots that cannot be dug out. Only concentrated chemicals(~5%) will do it.

Jay: I have a large amount of Anemone quinquefolia,. Does its thing in the Spring and then disappears.

I've had Lamium for years. it comes back in the same location and some years it blooms more than others. This year it has a nice bloom on it. It hasn't got away from me at all and it is spreading slowly in the one location I have it, in clay soil. Mine is a hybrid 'Orchid Frost' And come to think of it, I had two others and they died out on me.

Are you sure yours isn't Lamium galeobdolon, Dandy?

Thank you Flora. I have no idea what species it is. All I know is it's variegated and spreads a lot.

Dandy, Im using the native form of Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata to choke out the Creeping Charlie. Any plant that uses real estate that Charlie would invade like Clearweed, Cornus canadensis, Circaea canadensis. The Prunella, seeds way too much to have it in beds with other natives, but it's great for shady areas away from beds. The native Enchanter's Nightshade can cover a large area in just a couple years. It will yield and give way to larger perennial natives. Do you have Virginia Creeper and Jumpseed?

Dandy_lion, could you post a picture of your Lamium? I've not know L. maculatum be thuggish and I wouldn't want it to get a bad name if yours is actually L. galeobdolon.

L. Clark, I'm your neighbor to the north (Montana) and by far the best shady groundcover for us is 'Biokovo' geranium, or any of the macrorrhizum or Geranium x cantabrigiense type plants. So pretty, so reliable, so easy. Hard to beat!

Sweet woodruff is also nice - blooming right now, in fact!

I agree with comments made about ajuga. I planted “black scallop “. It took over the front garden in three years.
I then spent 2 years digging it up! Grrrrrr

debra