I need ideas for ground cover in shade with soil that gets very wet in winter, probably not draining well..?

Question

I live in the SF bay area, California. I have a tree-filled corner in the west side of my yard which only gets filtered sunlight, if any at all. The soil gets waterlogged every winter. I also have a dog, so plants that can tolerate a little foot traffic would be great too.
Would Lily of the Valley work here? I would love something that is green and attractive all year round, possibly with flowers. Right now, I only have a mini Japanese rock garden there, so something that would go with that theme would be even better. Am I asking for too much?

Answer 1

I have several ground covers in a woodland garden in my yard. Creeping Charlie, Lily of the Valley both do well. The one I find most attractive however is Perriwinkle. It has a nice dark leaf, can be walked over, spreads nicely and has a puple flower in early spring.

Answer 2

Try a Creeping Charlie. They are great wholesome plants, and grow up any stick, they love trees. In Washington we had them growing on the roof, They are a large green leaf Ivy, and flower once a year, mostly white small flowers. but you can do anything with them. I'm not a plant person, except for vegetables, but that's my recommendation. Ron Couch

Answer 3

all answers sound good but u could also skip the ground cover for now and focus on fixin the drainage problem. i have a wet side in my yard too near the woods and it also dosent get good sun but i planted about 4 pussywillows out further towards the sun and i mean it really really helped get the water problem under control. pussywillows have wet feet and are very beautiful i think. just a suggestion.

Answer 4

vinca minor-it is a vining groundcover that has dark, glossy evergreen leaves, and in the spring (and sometimes again if it's cooler in fall) it has little periwinkle blue flowers. Speads by rooting where it touches the ground.