Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Small Shrub For Dry Shade

harmonyharmony Posts: 403
in Plants
Hi, any suggestions for a small flowering shrub or low growing perennial (preferably evergreen/semi) for a small corner of my front garden about 3ft square enclosed by privet and pyracantha hedges. It gets morning sun up to about midday then is in shade and is very dry  because of the hedges. Ideally would love something to brighten up the area.Thanks..

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Whatever you choose, deo beef up the soil with some good garden compost and/or manure to increase fertility and water retention capacity.

    Geranium macrorhizum is good in dry shade, has perfumed foliage which turns red in winter and has spring flowers in white, pink or cerise.   If it gets straggly, it can be cut back after flowering and given a drink and will produce fresh new foliage in  2 to 3 weeks.

    Saxifraga ayreopunctata - variegated London pride - will do well as long as it's watered in well and until established.

    Have a read of this article by the RHS - https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/articles/graham-rice/plants-for-places/year-round-champions-for-dry-shade



    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    edited July 2018
    Quite a few will do the job - euonymus, aucuba, skimmia or spirea as shrubs. Pachysandra, pulmonaria, vinca, alchemilla mollis - perennials. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I would recommend a cream variegated evegreen euonymus "Emerald Gaiety"which should suit your conditions and can be clipped into whatever shape you fancy to keep it at the height you like. Tough as old boots!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    I second Lizzie 27.
    Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety is very happy in very dry shade.
    I have planted them right at the base of Alder trees and Oak...supported they grow  up the tree slowly

    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • harmonyharmony Posts: 403
    Thanks, yes I think Euonymus will be perfect..
Sign In or Register to comment.