New to forum. Need advice

Hi, I live in the north east of England and I can't seem to get much to grow in my Garden some Daffodils, Bluebells, hydrangea(this grows well)and crocosmia that do but not grow really well. I need some suggestions for flowers/plants that are Dog friendly and do well in partly/shade. ( I know Bluebells aren't dog friendly and will be getting dug soon)

Also have the same problem with my flower bed in the front yard. But was thinking about putting stones/Gravel with a shrub maybe?

Any help will be appreciated

 

Hardy geraniums?

 

When you say dog friendly, do you mean (a) in case the dog munches them or (b) because it is a wild thing that tears around destroying everything in its path and digging holes at random? I am not criticising dog behaviour per se or implying you have a mad, uncontrollable canine on your hands, just checking the parameters of possibility here.

 

There are lots of sites listing the plants harmful to Dogs like his one.
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/plants-poisonous-to-dogs

Would also recommed Hardy Geraniums aka Cranesbill, available in low ground cover ones to some quiet tall types, and in various colours.
Hardy Fuchias, again small or tall, Mrs Popple upto to 4ft but will grow in almost full shade.
Hostas, so many types to choose from.
Brunneras, Jack Frost being an attractive type.
All easy to grow and care for, though some Hostas can attract slugs and snails moe than others.

 

We have a 8 year old dog who's well trained and behaved, we also have a 7 month old puppy,who hasn't done anything like that. It's still a 7 month old puppy. Am thinking in more the case he chews on them

 

Righto. I would suggest a few fairly robust shrubs then. If hydrangeas are managing, that is a good sign. A fatsia japonica would be tough and give some height after a few yrs. A kerria plentiflora can cope with shade. The native British one (with open saucer-shaped flowers) spreads less than the pompom-flowered one. Fuchsias are a good idea - Hawkshead will give you white flowers and Flashlight pale pink ones. Both are hardy and will grow to about a metre tall and wide. Carex grasses make good evergreen ground cover in shade and are very tough. Even the squirrels leave then be.

 

Box topiary (balls, obelisks, etc) and hellebores do well in shade. I have three dogs, two of which are destructive chewy horrors, and they have left these well alone. I did remove a Pieris forest flame sort of shrub as one of said dogs chewed a branch off it and was really quite unwell.
There are so many gorgeous and varied hydrangeas to plant so you are lucky if those do well.