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Corner border- shelter and shade
Dirty Harry
Posts: 1,048
in Plants
Just set up this edging in the corner. It's typically shady and well sheltered due to my shed and the trees, in summer it gets half-decent sunshine though. Any ideal plants/shrubs that anyone can recommend?
I'll have to add a decent amount of organic matter as the soil here is very sandy and bugger all seems to want to grow- apart from weeds naturally.
Is there a best time to do this? I was wanting to just add it coming into the winter when funds allow so that it'll be good for planting stuff come spring.
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You can add organic matter any time you want. If you are thinking of shrubs long term, you may want to think about laying a thick mulch over the top after planting. They will help to retain moisture in your free draining soil and also keep temperatures more even though the growing season.
There are plenty of shrubs and plants that thrive there. What look are you going for. Mixed border, woodland, or simply one tree or shrub. Might narrow it down.
Haven't given it too much though to be honest. Perhaps 2/3 small shrubs mixed in with some flowers/bulbs.
If it's going to be generally dry, you need to look for plants that will suit those soil conditions. They're more likely to thrive if you choose wisely. Right plant, right place
Some shrubs for structure would be a good idea, especially if you want to hide the wall a bit during the winter, although you might want to consider a couple of climbers too. A bit of trellis on the wall for them would also help disguise the wall.
Borderline is right - the addition of some good, well rotted manure will have great benefits - for all sorts of plants.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Not too fussed about hiding the wall as such, that's at the very bottom of the garden anyway.
I suppose big colour would be nice since it is relatively far away, a nice fuchsia or two perhaps.
Regarding manure, any good suppliers? The cheapest good stuff I've found is the gro-sure stuff at homebase, £4.50 for 50 litres. The B&Q stuff is cheaper still at £3 for 50 litres but a lot of the reviews say, no pun intended, it's crap.
Could always buy big bags of compost too- https://www.homebase.co.uk/j-arthur-bowers-multi-purpose-compost-120l_p402074
Last edited: 19 October 2017 20:39:33
I have an endless supply Harry, as I work in an equestrian centre
I'd use any of the bagged manures - whichever one you feel is suitable. Some of the heavier, more moisture retentive composts would probably do a good job too. Anything which will add a bit of heart to your soil and help retain moisture because of the site.It's not a problem I have living in the west of Scotland - dry soil!
As it's shady - white and pale colours are useful as they light up darker spots. Variegated foliage is also good, so it might be worth looking at that type of planting. There' are some pale hardy fuchsias which might suit, although I don't know if they'll appreciate drier conditions. White potentillas will be fine in almost any soil once established, and though not evergreen , will flower for a long period. Most Euphorbias will also be fine in dry shade, and will give a good display and contrast to other planting all year round. There are evergreen Carexes with gold/green foliage which will also be fine, and the deciduous Hakonechloa makes a nice golden, weeping clump throughout the summer and into autumn. Mine is just changing colour and starting to go over just now, so it's a good long lasting plant for a mixed border.
Some vertical perennials like white Japanese Anemones will also give a contrast to the shape of shrubs. They flower a bit later, and there are white Aquilegias for early in the year. Pale hardy geraniums will always be useful too.
There will be plenty of other shrubs/plants too, and if you mix them with spring bulbs, especially creamy or white narcissus and crocus, you'll get a long succession of flowers.
Last edited: 19 October 2017 21:15:26
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Cheers for all that.
My hose and sprinkler reaches there no problem so adding water as required isn't an issue.
You mentioned a nice Fuchsia. Fuchsia Megellanica Molinae. I think it will suit the conditions you have there, but you need to add organic matter into the soil to improve structure. Delicate and pale pink slender flowers over long periods from late summer onwards. The leaves are fine and when mature, the bark developes into a feature in itself. Lovely warm honey brown with slightly peeling texture. One that can grow quite big, but easily managed and will flower longer in shade and shelter.
Last edited: 20 October 2017 17:56:32
Complete with sore back of course...
I'm not sure when in the year this area becomes fully shaded but it's actually in sunshine from about 9am until 1 or 2pm just now, that can only increase as the sun gets higher so that should open up planting options.