If a plant that can also climb is being considered as a groundcover over bulbs, I would not recommend the Akebia that, as a mystery plant, started the recent discussion. Akebia spreads underground and can be very difficult to eradicate, and its wirelike stems can really strangle shrubs. An alternative that seems to be working well here is Parthenocissus henryana (it may now be P. henryi?), which has beautiful foliage with silvery zones on each leaf. So far it has not traveled underground, though the stems can root down shallowly, in which case they are easy to pull up. It has climbed a brick house wall, but its gripping tendrils are fragile, unlike those of ivy, and control is not difficult. I think it must normally climb trees and shrubs. It is deciduous (after lovely fall color), so spring bulbs complete their growth before the cover plant leafs out. During summer mine is coexisting without apparent problems with shrubs such as Daphne and Mahonia (Berberis), which it shows no inclination to climb, and perennials such as Iris unguicularis and hellebores. I tried to grow this Parthenocissus in my former garden without success; probably it could not tolerate the fast-draining soil there, but it's now happy in heavily mulched clay soil. jane McGary Portland, Oregon, USA