A Shady Spot to Fill

Raised beds is certainly something I intend to look into at some point in the future. There are variously spots around the premises where a raised bed might be of interest.

G.

 

On a slightly different subject (it's my thread so I'm allowed to change the subject ) @ARMANDII mentioned witch hazel. I recently came across loropetalum chinenis. I was wondering if I could something like that here:

I would plant it in the space behind a to the left of the barrel. If I tried to keep it to a nice neat 3ft sq it should fill that space nicely. I would then need to add some summer colour just in front and to the side of it.

G.

Ps I have no idea whether it would be available locally.

 

My hubby built this trellis and you can see some of the 8 ft raised bed

 

Yes, sorbus would survive the winter but for a container what "show" would it really give you for most of the year Gary? That site is crying out for an evergreen grass like plant I think......creates movement and a great foil to that otherwise rounded, domed planting. A grass like helictotrichon or calamagrostis Overdam, a phormium like Bronze Baby or Dazzler, or even an iris like pallida variegata or libertia Goldfinger....?????


Not personally keen on trees in containers as they usually outgrow their alloted scale.......I think there are much better, and more suitable, subjects for containers to give year round appeal. They often look ungainly too unless they are acers, dwarf rhodos, camellias etc.

Raised beds are all the rage these days.....however, remember they dry out much more quickly in the growing season. Far better to match plants with the growing conditions.....soil type, aspect, space etc.....and enjoy seeing them thrive with minimal effort.

 

Your right Verdun I always check what plants match my soil as I have shady areas and really dry areas

 

Back to the subject of shady spaces. I have another shady space I need to deal with. I was thinking of urns with something like camelia and gaultheria. I was thinking of something like a brunnera on the ground. I would then need a climber on the shady fence. I have read that there are clematis that tolerate shade. I liked the thought of the white potato vine but I can't tell how hardy it is.

Would this sort of thing work or am I barking up the wrong tree? This arrangement would be the first thing to greet you as you come through the gate into the back garden.

G.

 

The white potato vine, solanum album, is very vigorous though Gary. Here it occupies a 12' wide x 8' high section of wall and is pruned hard every year. It will grow 8' plus every year so needs controlling. It also requires at least part sun...here it is in full sun. Not sure it would be ideal for you there.
Brunnera is excellent in shade....here Hadspen Cream has good variegated foliage and forget me not blue flowers in spring; nice.
The montana varieties of clematis will grow in shade as will the Viticellas. Montana Grandiflora has the added benefit of having scented flowers. I have grown the lovely Nelly Moser in shade too....it retains its flower colour better in some shade.