Shrubs for east facing wall

Harriet. · 28 January

Hello,

Does anyone have any advice for shrubs that will grow well in an easy facing border, on clay soil? Ideally looking for something that is around 1.5-2m tall, and about the same width. I've read that Viburnums should work well, but then I've found conflicting advice that they need more sun than an east facing wall will give them.

Any help much appreciated!

Fairygirl · 28 January

Hi @Harriet. - most Viburnums would be fine in that aspect, and are also fine in clay soil, but it's always worth prepping the ground well before planting anything. Soil next to walls can be quite dry too, unless they're facing the prevailing weather, although most clay soil in an east facing aspect will tend to stay moister because of it being a little more shady. Other planting or buildings etc will also have an effect, so take that into account too.

Hydrangeas, Weigelas, Deutzias and Spireas will also be fine, and there are plenty of evergreens which would work - Pieris, Ilex [holly] Mahonia for example, and most Rhodos and Azaleas will also be fine if the soil is ok re the pH. Most Camellias would also be ok, but they can suffer a bit if emerging buds/flowers get frosted and then get that morning sun, so that might not be so suitable, depending on the site. If they're tucked in against a building, or get shade from early sun, they're usually ok. Rhodos can have the same problem, so it would be worth checking that first.

Harriet. · 28 January

Hi @Fairygirl. Thanks for your response, that's really helpful. My garden is north facing, and gets no sunlight between Oct and Mar. Does that change any of your suggestions, or will they all be happy with no sunlight over the winter and then only morning sun in the summer (obviously, different varieties will be different, and I would read the info before buying!). Thanks.

Fairygirl · 29 January

The amount of hours of sun are determined by summer conditions, so you'd consider your site to be semi shady. That's fine for all those shrubs - in fact, it's perfect for most of them, although the ideal for a semi shade site is when it's created by deciduous trees which filter the sun through hotter months. However, that's a minor point - as long as they have a well prepped site, and get enough moisture through the driest parts of the year, they'll do well. The drawback of evergreens, especially those with very dense or leathery canopies, is that they need decent rainfall to get through to the base where it's needed, especially until established

I also grow Potentillas in that type of site - even the sun in spring is minimal. Lots of varieties available and can be pruned.

It might be worth avoiding the Camellias, due to that morning sun factor, and possibly Rhodos/Azaleas, although some Azaleas are absolutely fine in sun. Stick to easier, straightforward shrubs for now, and then you can judge how things go in future, depending on how much room you have to play with. You can add other perennials and bulbs, for example, over time. The other thing about those shrubs [camellias etc] is that they can be quite dull once they've flowered, so you might like something else to take over if you want more prolonged interest through the year

Fairygirl · 30 January

I suddenly remembered yesterday, after passing my own on my way out, that Philadelphus is another suitable shrub for your site. There are lots of varieties, but they all work well in shadier sites, although not evergreen. White scented flowers, mainly in early summer.
I also grow Osmanthus, and there are a few types, but again - ideal for shade. Mine is O. burkwoodii, and has small creamy white, scented flowers in late winter/early spring. I cna;t smell them unless I'm very close up, but that might just be me! Neat, green, quite leathery foliage, and can be prune if needed.
There are also things like Eleagnus, which are mainly grown for their foliage, and often used as hedging. Various types - variegated. The flowers are quite small and insignificant, but it can be useful as a backdrop to other planting. I use it as a windbreak at the side of the house. Again, easy to prune and tough as old boots. You could also grow Pyracantha or Berberis if you don't mind the thorns. I've grown the former in a completely sun free site without a problem, despite the info stating they need a sunnier position. Great for wildlife [birds and pollinators] too if that's of interest to you

I thought more people would have offered a few suggestions for you, as there will be other shrubs that I don't grow, but might be suitable for your location, but perhaps they'll see this today

coccinella · 30 January

Fairygirl said:

The amount of hours of sun are determined by summer conditions, so you'd consider your site to be semi shady.

Thank you for this info Fairy. I have been wondering (and hoping) for ages that the semi shade required by so many plants is in summer. That's why some shrubs I have thrive even if they are in shade for the whole winter. Mistery solved. Thank you!!!! 🙏

Harriet. · 30 January

@Fairygirl this information is brilliant, thanks so much! This has given me plenty of options to look at, and I've found a couple of weigelas, a deutzia and an osmanthus that I think are with exploring more - my garden is small so I want to make sure whatever I end up with is hardworking!

I already have a pyracantha in the same border and it does very well, and seems to cope with my slightly haphazard pruning!

Thanks again - can I come to you with all my gardening queries?!

Papi Jo · 30 January

Fairygirl said:

...
There are also things like Eleagnus, which are mainly grown for their foliage, and often used as hedging. Various types - variegated. The flowers are quite small and insignificant, ...

Eleagnus ebbingei has tiny flowers with a lovely fragrance in September.

Fairygirl · 31 January

I can never smell the flowers on them @Papi Jo, but I have a very poor sense of smell, so it isn't surprising!
The main problem with things like Eleagnus is that they get sizeable and need pruning, hence being good hedging material, which often means sacrificing the flowers. Very useful shrubs though.
I think the main problem with Deutzias is that they do best [for flowering] with some sun. Exochorda is another similar shrub, but the same applies, so it just depends on how keen you are for the flowers on them @Harriet. I've only ever had them in sunnier sites, so I can't be sure. Like Pyracanthas, they may be quite adaptable though, and yes - those can also be used as hedging and therefore hard pruned. I pass one quite often and it doesn't affect the flowering and fruiting too much. Hope you can narrow down the options and find something you really like. It's always harder when it's a smaller area, and I agree - plants really have to earn their keep in that situation. White flowers are always good in shadier sites too, or paler colours.

It's often mentioned @coccinella, and it can be confusing, but so many plants are quite adaptable to light conditions, that they can often cope with more shade than we think they will, going by info available. It's like those plants which info always says 'prefer shade', but they'll often manage sun very well if they're happy at their feet, so it's only one part of the whole picture.

Loxley · 31 January

You can't really go wrong with Choisya in that situation. Garrya is a classic east-wall shrub, but aside from the impressive catkins, isn't very exciting. There's a nice RHS selection of wall shrubs here.

Rubytoo · 31 January

We have Osmanthus heterophyllus here. The leaves are spikey like Holly but are not prickly. I can prune it without gloves. I like it because it looks a bit like holly, and as Fairygirl mentioned the flowers smell nice.
Clay soil here too.
I keep meaning to see if I can find a clematis to grow into it for colour later in the year .
It is very dark green with slightly glossy leaves, but I like it so do the early bees.
Another but it may get a bit rampant once settled is Lonicera like purpusii. It is not hard to prune though, the scent from the flowers in spring again Bumble bee food of the bumble bee god/esses.
They ,ahem, make a Bee line for it.

Another candidate for sprucing up with a little clematis combo if you can.

Shrubs for east facing wall

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