Inspiration needed

Hi All,
Here is my driveway, pretty it aint.


It very shady but get sun in the Evening.
I would like to fill the left side with something bushy which will keep the weeds down but wildlife friendly.
The place is overrun with tits and finches etc.

thanks
Howard

 

Yes, very pretty.

Why not fill it with under story type trees, like hazel, birch, elder, maybe a few wild roses. I think crab apples do ok in shade too. You can also get woodland wildflower/grass seed mixes too.

 

"pretty it aint" Are you crazy ? :D

 

You'll have difficult conditions under those conifers.. I assume it will be dry and shadey.. so have a look at other dry/shade threads on here.

You could try tidying up the trees by removing the lower dead(?) branches, that will let a bit more light in.

Deciduous Azaleas would look good allong there!

 

Hi,
Thanks for the input, I like the fruit bearing trees idea.
We have loads of greedy wildlife about.
What about this plant.? We have loads of them multiplying in the garden area.
Can this plant stand shady places.? Any problems using it to carpet an area 30x3 metres.?



thanks
Howard

 

Crocosmia, Indistructable plant, well it is in my garden, Yeah split it Howard it will look great in that area and do it now for next spring when you will see those bright swordlike leaves shootin up....
has anyone mentioned bulbs, i know you said its shady but in spring there wont be any leaves on those trees so it will be less shady..

 

Hi Howard. As Dee says, Crocosmia. Not sure though that they will appreciate the low light levels. Hopefully someone can be more definitive.

Cheers...freddy.

 

I love Crocosmia, everyone else seems to have it growing all over, but mine is seriously struggling to establish its self. If you can get it going, good luck, it is a really nice plant.

Also one of my personal favourite shade tolerant plants is the often underrated native/wild primrose. I understand they are a good early flower for bumblebees, but even if bumble bees don't care for them, they're still a lovely plant just for their appearance, and can bring some cheer when not much else is going on.

 

You are a very lucky chap , beautiful site.
Maybe plant some brambles .

 

How about the flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum. Where it grows as a native in north america, it thrives among pine forests, so it should do quite well there. It'll give a period of flowering during April/May and then it has quite dense cover light green leaves for the rest of the time. It is deciduous, so it'll be bare during the winter.

 

Thanks folks,
I have gone for a scattering of mixed type Crab Apple trees in the midst of the Spruces.
Since the photo I had already trimmed the lower 8 feet of Spruce Branches.
The ground will be carpeted in the Crocusmia and wild primrose.
The West side I fancy making a wall of black and raspberry bushes for the birds.
Hopefully it will look better than the current Nettles and Chickweed.!
thanks
Howard