Thanks all. I have some anemones that despite the dry have done well in the top beds. I’ve been continuously been adding top soil and soil improver/mulch so hopefully getting better by the year!
A raised bed will always drain more quickly too. Lots of organic matter - leaf mould is particularly good, but unless you have some viable material now, you'd have to collect in autumn and wait for a good while. Rotted manure is ideal. It really comes down to right plant right place. Unless you had consistent heavy rain getting into that area, shrubs like hydrangeas are never going to do well. You need plants for dry shade. Potentillas and Spireas can cope with drier soil as long as they're properly established, but that means loads of water for a long while.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The pink J Anemones are less fussy as @Fairygirl has said. The pink that I would avoid in my own experience is J Anemone Queen Charlotte it has gone under a wall and into my neighbours garden.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
A raised bed will always drain more quickly too. Lots of organic matter - leaf mould is particularly good, but unless you have some viable material now, you'd have to collect in autumn and wait for a good while. Rotted manure is ideal. It really comes down to right plant right place. Unless you had consistent heavy rain getting into that area, shrubs like hydrangeas are never going to do well. You need plants for dry shade. Potentillas and Spireas can cope with drier soil as long as they're properly established, but that means loads of water for a long while.
Yeah Ive just replanted a fair amount in the top beds but stuck with drought tolerant options to future proof
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It really comes down to right plant right place. Unless you had consistent heavy rain getting into that area, shrubs like hydrangeas are never going to do well. You need plants for dry shade.
Potentillas and Spireas can cope with drier soil as long as they're properly established, but that means loads of water for a long while.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...