plant advice for shady corner,please!!

The fence at the bottom of our garden is north facing, most of the area does get some sun but only at the front of the border. There are 12' high conifers behind our fence (shame!!!). My main problem is a shady corner which doesn't get any sun at all, I wouldn't say it's deep shade, so what do I plant there? The previous owners have put a hydrangea there which hasn't done a thing. The soil is good with plenty of worms but dries very quickly, obviously we need to do some work, compost etc to improve the soil and an autumn rethink on planting, (not many plants at all in the garden). I'm after a shrub backbone with bulbs, perennials etc. Any ideas for me? THanks in advance

 

The fence at the bottom of our garden is north facing, most of the area does get some sun but only at the front of the border. There are 12' high conifers behind our fence (shame!!!). My main problem is a shady corner which doesn't get any sun at all, I wouldn't say it's deep shade, so what do I plant there? The previous owners have put a hydrangea there which hasn't done a thing. The soil is good with plenty of worms but dries very quickly, obviously we need to do some work, compost etc to improve the soil and an autumn rethink on planting, (not many plants at all in the garden). I'm after a shrub backbone with bulbs, perennials etc. Any ideas for me? THanks in advance

 

Hi belindabuk, my father has a similar problem to you. His soil dries quickly from a shady line of conifers. He finds various hardy geraniums grow well, mixed with poppies, hebes, japanese anenomies. The trick is to dig in lots of organic matter and regular compost treats for the soil. Yearly feeding (chicken maure) and a responsible watering regime. Unless it is mental deep shade you can grow most types of plants, I think your greatest problem is the conifers stripping the soil of its moisture and goodness.

BM

 

Hi belindabuk, my father has a similar problem to you. His soil dries quickly from a shady line of conifers. He finds various hardy geraniums grow well, mixed with poppies, hebes, japanese anenomies. The trick is to dig in lots of organic matter and regular compost treats for the soil. Yearly feeding (chicken maure) and a responsible watering regime. Unless it is mental deep shade you can grow most types of plants, I think your greatest problem is the conifers stripping the soil of its moisture and goodness.

BM

 

My RHS good plant guide recommends planting evergreens and winter flowering plants in a dry shady spot. Apparently spring bulbs do well as they die back before the ground gets too dry. We had a north facing border and grew weigelas and geraniums quite successfully as well as a hypericum which was grown under a silver birch. Hope this helps

 

My RHS good plant guide recommends planting evergreens and winter flowering plants in a dry shady spot. Apparently spring bulbs do well as they die back before the ground gets too dry. We had a north facing border and grew weigelas and geraniums quite successfully as well as a hypericum which was grown under a silver birch. Hope this helps

 

All good choices Celia.

belindabuk, the crocus website has a useful plant finder in which you can specify your soil, shade, plant preferences, then go and find it cheaper somewhere else!

http://www.crocus.co.uk/findplant/

 

All good choices Celia.

belindabuk, the crocus website has a useful plant finder in which you can specify your soil, shade, plant preferences, then go and find it cheaper somewhere else!

http://www.crocus.co.uk/findplant/

 

thanks for the replies. We have spoken to the people who say they want to relax in their garden without people watching them!! Why we would like to spend all of our time in the bedroom, bathroom or landing watching them, weeelll I don't know. The council said would take along time and cost us lots of money as they have no money to push for prosecutions, I can't be bothered, would rather work with what I've got.

 

thanks for the replies. We have spoken to the people who say they want to relax in their garden without people watching them!! Why we would like to spend all of our time in the bedroom, bathroom or landing watching them, weeelll I don't know. The council said would take along time and cost us lots of money as they have no money to push for prosecutions, I can't be bothered, would rather work with what I've got.

 

Nice neighbours :( . Still rise to the challenge belindabuk ! Lots of good plants to choose from. Send a few good climbers up, you would be surprised how much damage a vigorous clematis can do to a conifer. :D

 

Nice neighbours :( . Still rise to the challenge belindabuk ! Lots of good plants to choose from. Send a few good climbers up, you would be surprised how much damage a vigorous clematis can do to a conifer. :D

 

Strange that you say that, the very first thing I've done is plant clematis!! A couple of vitcellas(spelling?) and a bill mackenzie, nice and vigorous!! Could do with ideas for the shady corner though.