Its winter and time to work on the garden ideas for 2013.
I am looking for ideas for filler or footprint plants to plant around taller plants to keep weeds down and camouflage the feet of same.

For-get-me-nots (myositis alpestris)
Siberian wallflower (Erysimium allioni)
Dwarf sweet william (Dianthus barbatus)
Dwarf snap dragon
Whitley's speedwell
Dwarf perennial candytuft
Alyssum saxatile
Some alpines might work?
I am going to try for a living mulch around perennials and shrubs.

Is it shady? dwarf annuals. Candy tuft.

I am going to declare this problem solved.
I will plant short campanulas and hardy geraniums plus the perennial snapdragons do appear in this spot.
Thanks to all who left suggestions.
I have a dwarf speedwell I will divide and use also.
"Living mulch" was what I was looking for.The ground covers matt too much.

Someone gave me some snapdragons (no ID), and those guys have been expanding faster than McDonalds in the 1950s!

They are pretty tall, so I doubtg if they are the same variety that was suggested here. They are either (or all) perennial, re-seed or practice spontaneous generation. They must spread by seed (or teleportation) becuase they jumped from front yard to back yard.

There used to be a dwarf variety called Magic Carpet which were excellent direct seeders.
Critters are good at redistributing seeds from one place to another.
One of my neighbours gets my Sweet William seeds sprouting in her yard,
--- because the squirrels dance through my flower beds and then across to her yard.

I am working with a similar question. I am doing some volunteer gardening work at the Humane Society. The area under a bird feeder is always bare. I am thinking of planting Cerastium tomentosum under it. .

Snow-in-Summer is probably low enough or dense enough that cats can't hide under it. Birds might not go after fallen seed if there is too much cover for cats around the base of a feeder.

This bird feeder is in an enclosed space between two dog runs. The bird feeders purpose is to attract birds so that cats waiting to be adopted can be entertained watching the birds. The cats are in a cage with floor to ceiling window looking out on the bird feeder.

>> The cats are in a cage with floor to ceiling window looking out on the bird feeder.

That's dramatic. It reminds of when I had two Siamese fighting fish. I kept them in separate aquariums, but sometimes pushed them next to each other. The smae fish woluld always be intimidated and cringe in a corner.

So I put him into a small circular fishbowl that I thought would magnify his image to the other fish. He was still usually the one that wimped out.

Happy Solstice everyone.
The sun returns

yep ge we are on our way to spring. I keep ordering seeds that I have no idea what I am going to do with all of them. BTW I loved your crocus and I am going to order some of that type next fall. Do you plant over them after they go dormant or leave the space blank ?

Rick , my DW and I have talked about getting fish but we have no room for them. Good to hear about the Siamese Fighting Fish. I find the same thing with the dogs as I take them out of their runs. Some cringe and get as far away from other dogs as they can . Others are ready to fight and /or play as they pass other dogs.

John.I planted them under a RiverBirch where they can spread wherever they like.

John,

>> Others are ready to fight and /or play as they pass other dogs.

With my cat, "fight and/or play" are a lirttle too similar. He used to bite and scratch wjenever in a jolly, affectionate mood. It finally sank in how much we DID NOT like that, so he agreeably changed over to a very charming no-claws boxing and just-very-gentle biting.

Until he gets excited. Then it hurts again. But every time, he seems puzzled that we scold him for being AFFECTIONATE.

I had a Tortie that only let me pet her just soooo many times then she bit.I take a clue from the cat. If they dont want affection they let you know.

I had a wonderful Persian cat which would lay beside me each morning as I watched the morning show. She unfortunately stayed with my ex .

Now my DW and I are big dog people. At the moment my DW is transporting a rescue dog to Indianapolis. Our dog Daisy was not too happy to see this visitor in our house last night. The rescue dog got a good nights sleep with us and now continues her journey to a shelter in Michigan. This is our first experience with this program. Dogs are transported all over the country by people who are willing to transport them for one hour. This was a wonderful friendly dog that deserves a good home. I hope it gets one.

That is a great organization.Good work.There is a guy in our neighborhood who trains Aid-dogs.The help the handicapped not the same as guide dogs for the blind tho.
He collects cans and bottles and uses the money for civic organizations,he gave one of his dogs to the local sheriff 2 years ago,last years can collection money went to a veterans common house where they treat PTSD.
Everyone on his daily walk leaves their bags of cans by the curb.

ge1836 said:That is a great organization.Good work.There is a guy in our neighborhood who trains Aid-dogs.The help the handicapped not the same as guide dogs for the blind tho.
He collects cans and bottles and uses the money for civic organizations,he gave one of his dogs to the local sheriff 2 years ago,last years can collection money went to a veterans common house where they treat PTSD.
Everyone on his daily walk leaves their bags of cans by the curb.

Here's to him

He is a young retiree.