well, mine's planted in a big planter last summer, and i didn't expect it to have spread throughout the whole surface. it's a great doer, but i too wouldn't recommend it in the ground tho'. try Brunnera, it's a plant i've recently discovered (still on my wishlist!), the leaves are nicer looking and brighter in the shade. I find Epimediums lovely too with their dainty yellow/orange/pink flowers in early Spring.