Plants for dry dappled shade to surround a wildlife pond

clematisdorset · 19 January

I need plants that are helpful for the life of a wildlife pond. The plants would need to grow around the edge of the plastic pond. The usual marginal plants for boggy areas would not of course be suitable.

What do other people plant, to encourage wildlife in such a setting please. I would like the plants to grow around the edge of the plastic pond, to help wildlife and cover the ugly plastic. My garden soil tends to dry and this area is mostly dappled shade, with full sun for different periods, as the sun passes between trees. The climate is mild and coastal.

I have hoverflies, damselflies, occasional dragonflies and water snails for sure, through the summer months, so I would like to help them as much as possible.

ViewAhead · 20 January

I have a little variegated Carex grass that likes dry shade and provides dense cover. The frogs love it! 😁 It grows to about 6" high, is evergreen, and expands quite quickly to form a clump and sends out little runners to make new clumps. I started with one ... and now have maybe 150! 😱 It needs no care whatsoever and if it gets too dense, you can literally pull it out with one yank and then plant back a smaller piece.

I'm not sure of the exact variety, but will search through my labels later to see if I can be more specific.

Busy-Lizzie · 20 January

I would have thought that most plants for dry shade would help, like epimediums, brunnera, some of the hardy geraniums. Any plant would provide shelter for small mammals and most plants that flower would provide nectar for insects. Foxgloves would be good for some height and bees like them.

ViewAhead · 20 January

Hmm, I haven't got a label and I can't find my exact variety on Google. It's not Ice Dance (which I also have). That grows taller (to about 12"+), but is also evergreen and creates dense cover. Ice Dance is a little less vigorous and the variegation is yellow, whereas on my smaller unnamed one, it is white.

thevictorian · 20 January

I like Ajuga for this kind of location. It does well in dry shade but is also happy with its feet in the margins (it's a creeping plant and evergreen). I would also say one of the hardy geraniums, Rozanne is a classic and it flowers all summer because it's sterile. You might need to plant it further back because it can grow quite large but it's easily divided or chopped back.

Geums like g. rivale are good and flower well in that situation. You can get more cultivated types that are less vigorous. Astillbe do well as well provided it's not to dry and of course you could choose from many ferns.

ViewAhead · 20 January

If you want a geranium Rozanne that is not quite so vigorous, try Azure Rush. Same lovely flowers, but neater habit, and an even longer season. What's not to like? 😁

thevictorian · 20 January

I forgot heuchera and alchemilla which are good for these situations.

clematisdorset · 21 January

Thanks very much for your suggestions.

Plants for dry dappled shade to surround a wildlife pond

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