Thugs for deep shade

[Porridgeislife]

I have a patch in my north facing garden that is in very deep shade as it’s underneath the communal stairs to the garden. It’s mostly damp but gets dry in summer.

It’s a bit annoying to garden as I have to crouch down under the stairs so I want something a bit thuggish that needs little care. My bathroom window looks out onto it so I do want something there.

Would anyone like to suggest some thugs that are pretty and would duke it out in deep shade? Mint is one obvious one I’ve thought of. Currently Herb Robert (which I loathe) pops up frequently.

British bluebells! They thrive at the bottom of my compost bin and are immune to weed killer according to the rhs!

How tall do you want it to grow?

I've got some bellflowers, Campanula Portenschlagiana, that grow seemingly anywhere. They're only about a foot and a half tall at the most, though.

Vinca Major is also pretty much indestructible

Lamium galeobdolon (yellow archangel) or galium odoratum (Sweet woodruff) would fit the bill too!

Not too tall, about a foot high would be good. I’d forgotten about the vincas, they are indestructible.

Vinca minor. Mine grows in deep shade. It’s about a foot high and perhaps a bit more in places. Needs no care whatsoever!

Celandine are pretty thuggish.

Japanese anemones

Hardy geranium

Hydrangea?

The plants that do well in my garden's shade are arum italicum, lysimachia, vinca, persicaria red dragon, astilbe, astrantia and ajuga.

Euphorbia all the way. I have a completely shady strip between a shed and a fence. Only weeds have ever grown there. I have a very like green euphorbia (don’t know the variety, sorry) and it looks good all year round. Mine grows to about 60-90cm tall. Some are absolute thugs!

Ferns. Wood spurge, Euphorbia amygdaloides.