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Novice gardener, trying desperately to find plants for a shadey border

jords.turnerjords.turner Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hello!

I'm new to gardening and I'm trying to plan the design for a small shady border I have in our garden.

It is mostly in the shade, and part of it is in partial shade. I've decided to plant some heucheras and some ferns and maybe some foxgloves, but I'm really hoping to find out what the spiky plants are from this image and whether they'd be suitable for my border. Would anyone be able to tell me what they are, please?


I only have a little bit of space - there's a little bush already in the border and then 50cm wide x 70cm depth on one side of it, and 100cm wide x 70cm on the other side. I'd love any advice you have on how many plants I can put in these areas too, please.

Thanks so much in advance for any help you can give me, I really have a lot to learn!
Jordan

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Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    It's a Cordylline.
    They prefer full sun.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    They are Phormiums , and will slash your plants to pieces if planted in close proximity to others during a strong wind !
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Phormiums... they'll be OK in partial shade although a bit of sun is preferable. Astelia is similar but more suited to shade, slightly softer silvery leaves. But I have to admit I've not often seen it looking particularly happy.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited April 2019
    Maybe try some grasses instead... Luzula nivea - looks just right in a shady spot.

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • HazybHazyb Posts: 336
    Hakonechloa would look good too but it is lower growing.
  • jords.turnerjords.turner Posts: 3
    Wow, thank you so much everyone, really appreciate your suggestions. I'll have a look at all those options.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    Gardeners World did a publication "Gardening for Shade" but I don't know if it's still available.  I'm finding it very useful as I am currently preparing an area which is in almost constant shade.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    edited April 2019
    Heuchera, Aquilegias, Brunnera "Jack Frost", Astilbe (if it's damp), Pulmonaria, Alchemilla Mollis (if you can keep it under control, not a problem in my dry garden though), Hostas, Epimedium, Ferns, some perennial geraniums, Lirope (has grass like leaves and purple flowers).
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In addition to B.Lizzie's suggestions, Polemonium [Jacob's Ladder ] and Polygonatum [Solomon's Seal] if it's damp, and also Dicentras. 
    Euonymous if you want evergreens. Pachysandra and Ajuga are lower growing evergreens, and Hellebores will be fine if they're not too dry either.
    Japanese Anemones, especially white ones, are great for shade.
    Pick whites as often as possible for shade as it lifts it. Variegated foliage too. The Hakonechloa is excellent in shade :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    edited April 2019

    Click on top (perennials A-Z) for a very comprehensive list of shade lovers .

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