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Plants for full sun in clay under evergreen tree?

elizabethannebrownelizabethannebrown Posts: 14
in Problem solving
I’m struggling with the corner of my garden where my neighbour’s massive evergreen tree overhangs our garden by at least 3m. The tree is planted right up against the boundary wall so we can’t do much about the overhanging as if we cut it back we would effectively be cutting off half the tree. They love their tree and don’t want to chop it down so it’s a case of make the most of it. The area under the tree is in a rain shadow all year but it’s also SW facing so on a sunny afternoon, and with the heat reflection from the stone wall, it’s sizzling hot under there. Soil is heavy clay with lots of (acidic?) debris from the tree falling down on it. I’ve tried to improve the soil with organic matter and it’s getting better over time although only the top layer and still a very hot and dry area. I’m looking for advice and ideas on what might thrive under there - the bed is narrow so probably perennials and bulbs rather than shrubs as not really got the space. Thank you. 

Posts

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    There are lots of perennials which will do well in a dry and sunny border - saxifrages, thyme, erigeron karv? (little daisies), artemisia, diascia, some of the campanulas, nepets faassenii, californian poppy, welsh poppies, eryngium, some of the geraniums, penstemon and the list goes on. Just make sure they are well watered for the rest of the year and after that they should be fine. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    ....and/or perhaps you could create a slightly raised area/bed to fill with organic matter.
  • elizabethannebrownelizabethannebrown Posts: 14
    Thank you both. Liking the raised bed idea ... I will look up the plants.
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    What sort of tree is it? Could you agree with your neighbours to trim it a little? You have of course the right to trim it back to the boundary (but not an inch beyond!), but as you say you don't really want to be looking at half a tree ... I think @Fire's idea of a raised bed is a very good one as you get around the problem of the tree's roots sucking the ground dry. See - always a way around things :)
  • mariaslapemariaslape Posts: 1
    Hello, I live in Oregon, US and I have a giant Fir tree, that gets morning sun to the bottom and it has allowed me to plant ice plant under and it is doing very well. I have a large Oak tree is beside the Fir it gets afternoon sun, and it has allowed me to plant Mums and Candytuft around it. The reason I say allowed me is because I have tried, many other none survived. I heard that if a tree does not like what is planted next to it or beside it, that it will kill it off.  Good luck my first day here, very much enjoying the forum.  
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