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Beginner- advice please on plants

clairekilcoyneclairekilcoyne Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I have space for a raised bed surrounded by wall on 3 sides. It’s sheltered but shady and more dry than wet.
i would love vibrant colour and interest-  what plants should I be looking for please?
Thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Size of bed, and size of wall needed for appropriate recommendations  :)
    A photo would be good if you can manage. The icon that looks like a mountain is the one - click on that and follow the info  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Dry shade perennial plants are usually the sort you grow for leaf variety and shape, such as hostas, Dryopteris ferns, Heucheras, Brunnera Jack Frost. But you can also use begonias, Busy Lizzies and Fuchsias, which like shade, to brighten it up. Some fuchsias are hardy, a lot aren't.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • clairekilcoyneclairekilcoyne Posts: 3
    Thank you for your response. The wall is 6’ on 2 sides (back and one side) the other is the side of the house (1 storey extension)
    I estimate the bed will be about 7’ wide by 3-4’ deep.
    sorry, can’t take a photo as garden in early renovation stage and like a building site!
    the bed will be north facing though very sheltered.
  • clairekilcoyneclairekilcoyne Posts: 3
    It is also a bit of a haven for snails!!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Ah - the snails..... :D
    You would certainly be able to grow clematis on the walls - they'll need some wires or trellis for support. The alpinas and macropetalas  are excellent for a drier spot, but if you look at the specialist sites - Taylor's Clematis, Thorncroft and Hawthornes, you can put in the conditions, and the colours you like etc, and you'll get plenty of choices.
    In addition to @Busy-Lizzie 's suggestions, Hostas will cope once established, although slugs/snails love them.
    Lots of hardy geraniums will be fine. Dicentra [I think it has a new name now]  will also cope with drier shade once established. 
    For shrubs - the white Spireas will be fine, and they show up in shade. White or very pale colours are excellent for that. Bog standard Potentillas [also in white or pale creamy yellow] are fine. 
    Lots of bulbs will also be fine, and also some of the woodland anemones. Epimediums are good too. Even snowdrops will be ok, although they prefer a bit of dampness. 
    There's a very good nursery called Long Acres which specialises in shade loving plants too, so it's worth taking a look there   :)


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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