North Borders

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Sandy Ground, Jan 7, 2017.

  1. Sandy Ground

    Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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    This being the quiet season in the garden, I'm thinking about the next borders.

    One particular area is a north border, about 10 metres or so long, and perhaps 2 metres deep. Its in shade all of the day.

    Any ideas as to what could be planted other than grass? Dont say moss! :snork:
     
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    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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      That is a large shady area Sandy are you looking for a mixture of shrubs ,perennials and annuals ?
       
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      • Sandy Ground

        Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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        I'm completely open to suggestions. I'll sift through all that are made.

        Having said that, the shade is caused by thuja, and some plants do tend to damage them if they are too close.
         
      • Kandy

        Kandy Will be glad to see the sun again soon.....

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        Siberian Iris
        Hemoracallis (Day Lily)
        Primroses
        Cowslips
        Snowdrops
        Ferns
        Callicarpa (Beauty Berry)
        Iris Pseudacorus

        Will add to the list when I think of other plants.Do you want plants/bulbs for this area or do you want to put shrubs and trees in the border?
         
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        • Sandy Ground

          Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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          I'm thinking bulbs/plants rather than shrubs and trees in the border. Thats purely for practical reasons. The thuja need trimming a couple of times a year, so I need somewhere to put the ladders. Here is a photo that shows the area in which the border will be.

          IMG_4240.JPG

          The photo was taken at exactly 11:42 on a sunny day. As can be seen its in shade even at that time of day.
           
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          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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            I've planted several layers of bulbs in the borders, including the North, and planted Hardy Perennials on top of them which seems to have worked.:dunno::snorky:
             
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            • Sandy Ground

              Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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              What sort of plants did you use in the north border? Similar to the suggestion @Kandy made?
               
            • "M"

              "M" Total Gardener

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              Stumpery, perhaps? You could always have log cut slices to act as "stepping stones" in front of the Thuja and behind the stumpery to give you access for trimming purposes.

              Here's couple, or three, of photo's from the Stumpery at RHS Wisley that I took on a visit earlier this year:

              CIMG0124.JPG CIMG0123.JPG CIMG0126.JPG CIMG0125.JPG CIMG0127.JPG
               
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              • ARMANDII

                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                A mixture of Japanese Anemones, Phlox, Perennial Poppies, Delphiniums, Lavender, Yarrow, Aconitum, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Monarda, Dicentra Spectabilis. Phlomis, Fox Glove, Crocosmia, Eryngium, Teasel, Peonies, Lupin, Astrantia, Alliums, Iris, Geranium, Cirsium, Echinops, Aquilegia,and a few more are what are in my borders, Sandy Ground.:snorky:

                [​IMG]
                [​IMG]
                [​IMG]
                 
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                • HarryS

                  HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                  I do like Stumperys . I would think some skill is needed to build them correctly . I imagine mine would look like a new compost heap !
                  @ARMANDII , very impressive list :blue thumb: Could you possibly list your top 5 from these ? I also have a shadey border for replanting this year.
                   
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                    Last edited: Jan 8, 2017
                  • HarryS

                    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                    @Sandy Ground , just been on the Crocus site looking for shrub ideas . They have a very good selection feature for plant types . Where you can select your conditons etc etc . To narrow your choices down from 1040 types !
                    Perennial Plants by Crocus
                     
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                    • Sandy Ground

                      Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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                      From the answers so far, I am beginning to get the beginnings of an idea for the border in question.

                      I do know some mentioned wont work in the area. Most will though.:) Thanks to these answers, I'm getting an excellent starting point. As soon as the snow clears, I'll be out looking how possible things are. In the meantime, keep the suggestions flowing.
                       
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                      • ARMANDII

                        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                        To be honest, Harry, I've never planted to impress, but just to bring a smile to my face when sitting in the Arbour with a mug of tea contemplating the world.:coffee::snorky:

                        Echinops [the Bees love them], Japanese Anemones, Plhomis, Aquilegia, Fox Glove, but I don't really have 5 favourites..........as I love them all and tend to plant "shoulder to shoulder":dunno::heehee: I'm also a fan of Ferns as a backdrop and there are quite a few attractive ones.
                         
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                          Last edited by a moderator: Jan 8, 2017
                        • daitheplant

                          daitheplant Total Gardener

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                          Pachysandra is good, it is low growing, evergreen and flowering.
                           
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                          • Freddy

                            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                            Looks good :blue thumb:


                            IMG_0773.JPG
                             
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