We've got artesian springs in our area and there's one on our property in the full shade of some black walnut and black locust trees. This area is very, very wet all spring and doesn't get dry, if at all, until late July or August. Right now the only things growing there are quite a few tufts of wild onion/garlic grass and very sparse lawn grass. But it's mostly just dirt, or rather wet and muddy clay. Since there's a slight slope I'd like to get something growing to hold onto and improve the soil. Will white clover grow in such conditions? Whatever I plant there needs to be low growing and able to handle some traffic since Ill occasionally go through there with the garden tractor and even the pickup once or twice a season. All suggestions appreciated!
If I had an area like that I would be all over planting moss. It is soft to the touch and to the eye. I'm sure it would grow in the area you speak of, and look beautiful. Our climate is just too dry or I would totally do it.
I love the carniverous plant idea as well! That would be cool mixed in with the moss. The need no additional help once they get established and are used to living with no nutrients in the soil - they get what they need from eating insects. You can order Pitcher Plant and Venus Fly Trap seeds from RH Shumway. I am going to start both for houseplants this year. Look out houseflys!
Oooh, Dwarf Mondo grass would love that area. Lovely tangled roots to hold on to the soil, dark green, only about three inches tall at its top, and evergreen. It is tough, and springy, and should love that area. If you want something a little wilder, Creeping buttercup only gets about six inches tall and spreads like crazy, can take some traffic and is a pretty yellow and green variegated foliage with yellow flowers.
