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How to prepare and plant a new shady border
WildFlower_UK
Posts: 236
We have an area in our garden we would like to add a border. The area is to the right, along the fence which you can see is in poor condition. Sadly this fence belongs to our neighbours and the current tenants rent, so we have no idea when the fence might be replaced. So with this in mind we would look to have a low planted border which wouldn't climb or put any pressure on the fence. Even if the fence was in good condition, we don't really like bushy, shrub style plants, instead we'd like something more wispy, light and informal to reflect the meadow style planting we have to the left around the new patio.
My questions are:
1. How should we prepare the new border? Our soil is clay based so I expect we would need to mix in some manure/compost and maybe even grit or sand for better drainage? Within the turf are a lot of dandelions; should we put any weed killer on the soil once turf has been taken up?
2. What plants might like this location? The image was taken at 2pm today, so you can see the area sits in the shade. It gets some morning sun (nearer to the table) but otherwise is in the shade. I'd like to consider some spring bulbs and some grasses/ferns for all year green. To the back where you a see a small lump we'd like to have an acer, which we may just place in a pot rather than plant up.
My questions are:
1. How should we prepare the new border? Our soil is clay based so I expect we would need to mix in some manure/compost and maybe even grit or sand for better drainage? Within the turf are a lot of dandelions; should we put any weed killer on the soil once turf has been taken up?
2. What plants might like this location? The image was taken at 2pm today, so you can see the area sits in the shade. It gets some morning sun (nearer to the table) but otherwise is in the shade. I'd like to consider some spring bulbs and some grasses/ferns for all year green. To the back where you a see a small lump we'd like to have an acer, which we may just place in a pot rather than plant up.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
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Posts
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1039158/fence-full-shaded-border-and-path-planting/p1
I like the same sort of planting as you by the sound of it, and have planted mainly Luzula nivea, ferns but the full write up is in the thread. (There are also some Thalictrums in there AND some Tricyrtis, god knows how I crammed it all in...)
I'm glad my idea of ferns and spring bulbs would work; and I did wonder whether ornamental grasses might struggle with the lack of sun. I'll check the RHS website using their plant search. I'll be sure to check out some of the plant options you've mentioned, too. Would you usually mulch around the perennials, either with bark for weed prevention, or compost/manure to help with nutrients? I'm new to all this!
Thanks