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Any suggsetion for shrubs for a shady bed

Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
in Plants
I have a flower bed in front of the house that hasn't really been used,I would like to put some plants in it,probably shrubs.It's in a bit of a nook in that position shaded by the house and a large Hydrangea.It's east facing and I haven't got a clue about the soil although 2 hydrangeas have been in that part of the garden for decades.So I suppose I'm looking for shrubs that are suited to shade and that can grow in any soil.The idea is just to dress things up a bit and give the area some interest,it's not a great focal point due to it's situation but that bed would still like some attention and some love.
I would like shrubs that won't grow very high(I certainly don't want them growing up near that lounge window) or wide and that won't require much attention,my neighbours path is to the left of the photo so I don't want anything growing big and hanging over their property.The bed is 10' x 5'
So if anyone has any suggestions of what would be suitable to fill that space I would be grateful for the input

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Posts

  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    How about some evergreen ferns? They like shade, and can grow in any soil type.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd expect that's going to be pretty dry - especially with whatever is growing on the right - with the hefty trunk on it. 
    Once established, Osmanthus will be fine, and Spireas - the white ones. Not much room for more once they grow. You could try some of the dark Sambucus [elder] or Cotinus, which have rich foliage colour, and they can be pruned if they get too big without any adverse effects. Potentillas will also grow anywhere.
    You could add bulbs for under the deciduous ones, and some verticals slotted in between. Foxgloves would be fine, and the aforementioned ferns will work with those too. 
    However, they will all need copious watering for a long while until established, and probably at various times when there's a long dry spell. The more plants you have in an area, the more water they will take up. It would benefit them to have some extra bulk put into the soil before planting too. Well rotted manure would be the best there. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
    They do sound like a good choice and would keep the garden green in winter which would be a nice relief to the hydrangeas that I have near that bed that look drab in autumn/winter after they have lost their leaves
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    Loropetalum chinense? Evergreen, colourful foliage, flowers in winter, likes shade.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=Loropetalum+chinense&sxsrf=ALeKk004YSsbpSTtpojiWgs458_A3z7veQ:1596648967748&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjqyLb0zITrAhU9WhUIHfcaCA8Q_AUoAXoECBkQAw&biw=1769&bih=1018
  • yorkshireroseyorkshirerose Posts: 574
    I
    I have these plants in a shady area which is approx. 4ftx4ft.
    Maybe they will add a bit of interest below any shrubs you select.
    Heuchera, Alchemilla alpina, Lamium, Hosta, Hardy Geranium 'Mrs Kendall Clarke'
    I also have Smilicina nearby in shade and a half standard Cotoneaster 'Hybridus Pendula' which is a great shrub for wildlife, providing flowers for bees and butterflies (even in the shade!) followed by berries for the birds.
    Enjoy your shady patch .
    A gardener's work is never at an end  - (John Evelyn 1620-1706)
  • Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
    yorkshirerose said:
    I
    I have these plants in a shady area which is approx. 4ftx4ft.
    Maybe they will add a bit of interest below any shrubs you select.
    Heuchera, Alchemilla alpina, Lamium, Hosta, Hardy Geranium 'Mrs Kendall Clarke'
    I also have Smilicina nearby in shade and a half standard Cotoneaster 'Hybridus Pendula' which is a great shrub for wildlife, providing flowers for bees and butterflies (even in the shade!) followed by berries for the birds.
    Enjoy your shady patch .

    What a lovely collection of plants,what is the plant on the front left with what looks like a pale green leaf with dark looking veins that run through them
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Heuchera. They're very good for shade, but need moisture to establish well. Loads of types.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
    Fairygirl said:
    I'd expect that's going to be pretty dry - especially with whatever is growing on the right - with the hefty trunk on it. 
    Once established, Osmanthus will be fine, and Spireas - the white ones. Not much room for more once they grow. You could try some of the dark Sambucus [elder] or Cotinus, which have rich foliage colour, and they can be pruned if they get too big without any adverse effects. Potentillas will also grow anywhere.
    You could add bulbs for under the deciduous ones, and some verticals slotted in between. Foxgloves would be fine, and the aforementioned ferns will work with those too. 
    However, they will all need copious watering for a long while until established, and probably at various times when there's a long dry spell. The more plants you have in an area, the more water they will take up. It would benefit them to have some extra bulk put into the soil before planting too. Well rotted manure would be the best there. 

    Hi that's a long story,that trunk is a bay tree and it's going to be removed in November,so I can access that bed and clean the windows etc.it was sandwiched between 2 hydrangeas and it was a struggle to walk through them.I would like the light to get through the front window and I don't want its roots growing near the drains so it has to go.I shall google the plants that you have mentioned thanks
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    All those plants @yorkshirerose has in her photo would be great groundcover under any deciduous shrubs. There's about three different heucheras in there  :)

    It really just depends what you like too. The shrubs will also take a while to establish and grow, so ground cover is valuable for keeping some colour and interest in the meantime. Heucheras in particular, are easy to propagate from. 
    The bed will still need some extra nutrients, plenty of water, and regular mulching with compost to keep it healthy for all your new plants until they're well established. It's always worth putting the effort into the planting prep, as it gives all the new plants a really good start  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Wilson73Wilson73 Posts: 136
    edited August 2020
    Fairygirl said:
    All those plants @yorkshirerose has in her photo would be great groundcover under any deciduous shrubs. There's about three different heucheras in there  :)

    It really just depends what you like too. The shrubs will also take a while to establish and grow, so ground cover is valuable for keeping some colour and interest in the meantime. Heucheras in particular, are easy to propagate from. 
    The bed will still need some extra nutrients, plenty of water, and regular mulching with compost to keep it healthy for all your new plants until they're well established. It's always worth putting the effort into the planting prep, as it gives all the new plants a really good start  :)

    All that I have at the moment are 2 big tubs of chicken manure pellets that I haven't used yet,I haven't even looked at the instructions for them.So is there any particular type of compost to buy to improve the bed and do you just turn it in to the soil with a fork?
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