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Suggestions for east-facing raised bed in shade of apple tree

KatsaKatsa Posts: 278
in Plants
Hi all, 

I've a raised bed that's about 1.5m wide and under the shade of an established apple tree. Opposite this bed is a garage, which also blocks out a fair amount of light. 

I'd like to revamp this area of the garden to make it look less like a wild patch and more like a cottage garden. I'm planning to remove the ivy that is currently growing up the wall and I'd like to replace it with something a bit prettier. The soil is quite sandy/clumpy and plants like comfrey, bluebells, daffodils, etc seem to really like it.

I've attached a couple of photos so that you can see what I'm trying to describe. Unfortunately, the magnolia needs to say as my husband really likes it. I'm happy to give it a very vigorous prune if that's recommended!


Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    edited May 2020
    Hello Katsa, It will be a bit of a battle to get rid of the ivy, it's very hard to kill. Best thing I've found so far, is to pull it all off the wall and cut it right down. When it starts growing leaves again, paint or spray them very carefully with SBK Brushwood Killer, following the instructions and wearing gloves/eye protection. It's about the only product I've found that can deal with ivy. It's a long process though and may take a good few months. I recommend you do this first before planting anything else.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • KatsaKatsa Posts: 278
    @Lizzie27 - Thank you so much. I'll start doing that now. Well, not precisely now but in the next few days. I know that Ivy is really good for wildlife, but I find it really ugly and a bit oppressive. I don't know why...

    -Katsa

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I'd plant some epimediums, toad lilies and a few heucheras. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • KatsaKatsa Posts: 278
    Ooh - Epimediums look beautiful @amancalledgeorge . I'll look out for some at the garden centre. Any recommendations for heucheras? It seems like there are infinite varieties. 

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Hope you find some nice epimediums they should be in flower which will help! So many lovely heucheras, Palace Purple is an old favourite, Paris, Ginger Ale and Fire Chief with the very intense red flowers. See what catches you eye, they're hundreds of cultivars. The foliage colours mainly grouped under an purple, yellow and green categories. They can be as elegant or as discordant as you like. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • KatsaKatsa Posts: 278
    @amancalledgeorge - went to the local garden centre and picked up 2 heucheras, a helleborous and epimedium. Will try to take a photo of the space soon. 
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