What is it? Not every plant needs to be a show-off to qualify as a useful addition to your garden: European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum) will go about its business carpeting bare soil in damp shady spots without the need for mollycoddling.
Plant it with? Grow cream-splashed hostas (try 'Fire And Ice'), snowdrops, and delicate Japanese painted ferns through the wild ginger's evergreen, glossy, ground-hugging (height 15cm) leaves. Would look good surrounding a clump of the large, palmate leaves of moisture-loving rodgersias, too.
And where? The books will tell you this is a plant that needs moisture, and indeed it does, but it will brook slightly drier conditions – you just won't get the same rate of growth. Think "forest floor" when it comes to the soil type – humus-rich and at least partially shady.
Any drawbacks? It throws out dark purple flowers in March and April, but you'll have to hunt about under the leaves to find them. Although the roots may have a whiff of ginger, this isn't an edible plant.
What else does it do? In centuries gone by, this was a plant valued by herbalists as a cure for snake bites and as an ingredient of snuff, but don't try that at home.
Buy it Get one plant for £9.99 or two for £13.98 (prices include free UK mainland p&p). To order, call 0330 333 6856, quoting ref GUA625 or visit theguardian.com/offers/plants. Supplied as 9cm potted plants.