plants for semi shade / clay

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by norbellini, Oct 8, 2009.

  1. norbellini

    norbellini Apprentice Gardener

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    hi
    i have a semi shade area that does well for sun in the summer months but loses quite a bit from september onwards . So it has dappled shade from then till april It has a bit of clay in the make up i can grow. perenial geraniums and i have Jap anenome and a couple of fushias
    can you advise on something for me
    thanks
    ,
     
  2. redstar

    redstar Total Gardener

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    When I started my many gardens 20 years ago, it also was clay soil and shade. I usually dig out some of the clay soil taking it elsewhere on the property and put in peat moss, some cow manure and if I can get mushroom soil that too. In fact the heath and heather slop was all clay, my last huge project--I dug it all up and put bags and bags of both peat and manure and mixed it all in.
    What I am saying is: don't spend the money on plants and put them in the clay soil, change your soil first. You can do this little at a time, and mulch good. You will be more successful. Even a plant meant for shade still wants to fight for some sun let alone its little roots having to deal with clay.
    You may view all my gardens on "You tube" under Estherredstar.
     
  3. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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    For the sunlight side of things, from your description it sounds like it gets plenty of sun. That being the case, I can't see any problem with growing 'full sun' plants there.

    For the clay, you say "it has a bit of clay". I can't guess how much you mean, but if it is just a little bit, then I doubt there would be a problem. Clay does well had holding water and nutrients. It becomes a problem when it is mostly clay, in which case it waterlogs after a good downpour then bakes solid when the sun comes out.
     
  4. Flinty

    Flinty Gardener

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    Hi Norbellini

    Good advice has already been given but I would add that I've had very good results with growing dicentras and aruncus in semi-shade. They seem to like soil that's heavy, if that's what you mean by a "bit of clay".
     
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