Lavender

I have dug a long border and as my soil is heavy clay, I have dug in lots of compost and sharp sand. I have 6 varieties of lavender which have been potted on. I now learn that lavender needs full sun! My border runs along a 6ft neighbour's fence and gets very little direct sun. Will my lavender cope?

If not can anyone suggest some attractive shrubs? Thanks. Mike

 

Hi mikemaber, to be honest I don't think the lavender will ever do as well as it should if it's not in the sun. It would make more sense to find a better spot for the plants if you could. Could you put some in containers in a sunny spot...or arrange a swap with another gardener for some more suitable plants?

This new book by Graham Rice has some good photos showing plants suitable for dry shade, (such as you often get by a fence.)

If you were after a lovely scent, there are shrubs that would give this in shady conditions - Sarcococca, Mahonia etc.Planting the Dry Shade Garden, book by Graham Rice - Images | Plant & Flower Stock Photography: GardenPhotos.com

 

If you wanted all year round structure and colour, you could use Euonymus fortunei, allowing some of it to 'climb' up the fence a bit. Add in some suitable perennials like Heucheras and brunneras etc, you could make a lovely cheery border this way.

 

Viburnum Tinus will tolerate a shady spot, as will Rhododendrons. Both are evergreen as well, so greenery all year round.

You could also try Hydrangeas, Sweet Box, Skimmia japonica Rubella, Aucuba japonica Crotonifolia, Cotoneasters, Elaeagnus x ebbingei, Mahonia (but watch out for rust), Camellias, etc.

One site I've found most useful is the www.crocus.co.uk plant finder.

 

Thanks to the ruralgardener and merleworld. As I feared! I will put two in pots in the front "japanese style" garden, and as I learnt that lavender hates wet roots, will put two inches of gravel in bottom and mix in some sharp sand with compost.