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Plant suggestions under pine tree
adrian_maidment
Posts: 41
in Plants
We have a large (25-30ft) pine tree in the NW corner of our garden and we've generally left the ground under it bare. However I've now decided it's time to tackle it properly and plant it up.
Most of the lower branches have been removed (to about 8ft) so the front half gets some sun in the mornings but the back is pretty much permanent shade.
So I'd like some suggestions for plants that will grow, look pretty across the year, and that'll cope in the partial/full shade. What would you suggest?
I've bought a 2 ferns that like shade (one is asplenium scolopendrium) , a heuchera (lime marmalade) and a lamium maculatum so far.
TIA,
Adrian
Most of the lower branches have been removed (to about 8ft) so the front half gets some sun in the mornings but the back is pretty much permanent shade.
So I'd like some suggestions for plants that will grow, look pretty across the year, and that'll cope in the partial/full shade. What would you suggest?
I've bought a 2 ferns that like shade (one is asplenium scolopendrium) , a heuchera (lime marmalade) and a lamium maculatum so far.
TIA,
Adrian
0
Posts
I suspect your enemy is not going to be shade, but lack of moisture. Have a look at the link for recommendations on the RHS website.
My dry shade is covered in ivy. I have a very large area on a boundary of 60-80ft Scots pines and I just mow it now and again to keep it tidy. At least it's green.
The soil will be bone dry for several feet down and if it's dark too - how's a plant going to survive? (apart from ivy)
You may get away with spring bulbs.
Or see if you can get some ideas from these guys - moore & moore - a nursery just down the road from me. They have a specialist section for plants for dry shade.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
In the sticks near Peterborough
In the sticks near Peterborough
I agree about the soil being dry but in the south facing area next to the tree (so I assume also fairly dry but not shaded) is our strawberry patch which does incredibly well!
I'll also try the company you suggested Pete8.
In the sticks near Peterborough
The main problem you'll face is getting anything established - you'll need to keep on top of watering for the 1st season.
The geraniums nut mentioned will not be attacked by slugs - another geranium that may work is geranium phaeum which will scramble around.
Don't confuse geraniums with perlargoniums - they're not the same
Good luck
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
The RHS website said that geranium was prone to slugs and snails but I'll ignore that and maybe give them a go.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.