What will survive here?

In our back garden we are having some decking put up just at the back door to give us a nice flat space to put the table and chairs on (there are paving slabs there but it is all wonky and non flat and since we do not know what we are doing but neighbour does and kindly offered to put up the decking for us..!).

This will leave us with a large decked space as our table and chairs don't take up much room so I'd like to use it to the best advantage.

It doesn't, however, recieve any sun until later in the afternoon (after 1pm ..on days when there IS any sun!) and even then whilst one side is in full sunshine the other side recieves very little (not sure why this is, fence, neighbours shed casting a shadow?)

The side that recieves the sunshine will of course be the side we sit on..so the shaded side has to be the side for plants etc.

Can you recommend any plants that will survive in this shade and can be container grown?

Looking pretty, having flowers and smelling nice would be a HUGE bonus (a tall order I know) but any plant that can survive would be greatfully considered.

Thank you :D

 

Hostas! Although no fragrance and insignificant flowers, their foliage looks fantastic in a shady area. We have 7 or 8 different varieties in colourful glazed pots outside the back door and they look very effective.

You could try a honeysuckle in a pot as they like a bit of dappled shade, but eventually it will sulk from lack of room to spread it's roots. Or begonias also like some shade in summer, although no fragrance.

I guess there's always lily of the valley - if you can grow them!!

 

I never have any luck with lily-of-the-valley, Aaron, which seems very unfair as it appears to be almost a weed in some gardens.

Hostas are fab ... unless you have as many slugs and snails as I do.. They also like lily-of-the-valley, unfortunately.

 

Snap re lily of the valley. Other people seem to have them in abundance, me, they either look pathetic or never even sprout.

I have loads of slugs too but keeping them in pots is the best way to avoid the leaves looking like lacework.

 

Hi Hetty. I've just bought some scented Begonia corms from T & M. They're new on the market so I can't say how scented they really are. But they should do well in a shaded area.
Begonia Semperflorens, bought as bedding plants, do well in shade are very reliable and colourful in pots - but no scent.
Some night scented stock in pots (easy from seed) might not give you a fabulous flower display but some tucked in a corner will give you lovely scent in the evening.
Enjoy your deck.

 

Thanks for all your replies, Hostas it is then :D

Alice, I was just looking at those begonias today too!

I adore night scented stocks..*swoons* ..had no idea they would tolerate shade though!

I am looking at some *creative* ideas for planters on Ebay just now, will post some pics when we get it done.

God bless, Hetty x

 

Skimmia, gold-leaved Philadelphus,

 

Fuschias are quite happy in shady areas as well as a numer of plants which are advertised as 'sun loving'. Have had success with Dahlias in tubas and use a variety of decorative 'grasses' as background for the coloured plants.
Keep your Lily of the Valley in pots or you maybe overrun with them - once establishaed they are very difficult to get rid of...