Should I use this plant?

[DougAndTheSlugs]

We have cleared an area that has been covered in builders rubble, nettles and dock for years. There is a ledge along the back wall that I want to plant with a ground cover to discourage the weeds from coming back there (bags of leaves will be removed!). It has dryish soil because it is raised, much shade as under sycamores. Aegopodium podagraria variegatum, called Bishop's Weed or Snow on the Mountain, has been suggested.

I had this in my garden many years ago which happily populated a very shady spot but was very spready. There is a paddock behind the stone wall and I am afraid I will be blamed for the plant escaping into it. Anyone with recent experience with this plant? I feel it will joyfully fill the space and the varigated leaves will bring a bit of light to that shady spot. Should I, yes or no?

I don't have any experience of having grown it but as you have mentioned, it's an invasive plant that spreads everywhere. I'm personally not keen on plants that can get out of control to that extent.

Cranesbill (wild geranium) offers very attractive ground cover but even though it spreads profusely, having grown it myself for many years, I find it's very easy to keep it within a certain area, by grabbing big handfuls of it around the outside and leaving a nice compact central plant. It comes in beautiful colours including purples, mauves and pinks.

My favourite is the bright purple.

That is a good suggestion. I've looked up about their willingness to put up with heavy shade and it seems their foliage will still thrive, just fewer blooms. I have Johnson's Blue that I can move there (it is taking over one end of a flower bed atm). Thank you

There are some great evergreen (or partially evergreen) ferns that might suit that spot too?

No problem @DougAndTheSlugs 👍

Cranesbill thrive in dappled shade - mine are in a shaded area which is beneath several desiduous trees (Cherry and Red Oak). They are rampant in the summer months, blooms tend to be mainly mid to late Spring anyway rather than all through the year.

OMG just looked it up and you mean ground elder, definitely don't plant that it is hell.
I'd recommend Pulmonaria in shady areas. It spreads nicely and the bees love the early nectar. 1000 times better/nicer than my nemesis - fucking ground bloody elder.

The variegated version is not as aggressive as regular/wild ground elder. But still a bit of a beast. Quite popular in gardens where I used to live to cope with heavy shade, but maybe the long winters slowed them down a bit...

Love pulmonaria.

Not all cranesbill thrive in heavy shade. Those with Geranium phaeum or Geranium sylvaticum will thrive, those based on Geraneum sanguineum need a sunnier spot. In general, I try sprawly blue, purple or white flowered Geraniums in the shade, compact pink ones need sun. Geranium versicolor (pencilled cranesbill) does ok for me under a medlar.

Another alternative for the ledge would be a mass of Cyclamen hederifolium and C coum - flowers from August to April, and a variety of silver-splashed leaves

Eeep! I don't think it would be a good idea to plant bishop's weed. It's invasive and people can be allergic to skin contact.

If you want to discourage weeds coming back might it make sense to grow grass and just keep mowing or strimming? They grass will survive that, but weeds will be kept in check. That's what I am doing in a bit of my garden that is riddled with bishop's weed and bindweed.

Woodruff likes shade, but I don't know if it thrives in dry soil.

Gardeners' World says "For best results grow Galium odoratum in moist, well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Drought-tolerant once established.

But it says elsewhere 'dry shade'. Might also be worth giving it a go. So many possibilities!