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help with difficult planting conditions
chris heywood
Posts: 1
in Plants
Hi all
I have cleared an area of weeds and nettles outside the front of my house in to make it look nicer(about 50 sq metres). It is on a gradient so to level this out a bit I have created slight banks around the sides. I want to plant a mixture of evergreen or 'thick branched' bushes, shrubs etc on two sides to created a screen about 1-1.5 meters high which will also support the banks with the roots. I like variegated leaves and flower if possible. I am a keen confident Gardner but we live in an exposed area, the soil is clay and it will be in partial shade under some mature trees. Any suggestions please!!
0
Posts
Mahonia family, Aucuba, Pachysandra, Skimmia's, sarcoccoa, vinca's all tolerate shade and heavy soils.
A mix of them would give you colour and interest and all can be kept in check relatively easily.
Don't forget plenty of spring daffs to add interest.
You could also do a bit of soil improvement and create a few beds in front of the shrubs to add further interest.
Cornus and Salix would give add winter colour and both will tolerate clay and shade
Elaeagnus " Goldrim" would suit your conditions and does make a good screen.
Hellebores, ferns, pulmonaria, snowdrops, cyclamen coum & hederifolium, north facing rose like Mme Alfred de Carriere.
Great online nursery I use, also has shade-lovers grouped into dry/wet shade etc and a good starting point.
www.plantsforshade.co.uk
Vinca minor 'Illumination' is a fantastic ground covering plant. Evergreen and rarely without its little blue flowers. Also there is the Digitalis (foxglove) which im sure you're familiar with. Hostas, many with variegated leaves add a great bit of delicate foliage interest. Mahonias are great but many varieties will exceed 2 meters so if youd like to keep size to a minimum, look at varieties such as the M. aquifolium. Heucheras are fantastic. Available in many colours, id quite happily have an entire bed of them. I think every garden has to also have at least one Hellebore. Available in many varieties such as the pastel green flowered H. foetidus or even a double flowered hybrid. And the list goes on..
All of the above! I am getting into Hosta, and there are loads of varieties around to suit any budget - they would like that locale. Ferns also.
bluebells,fritillaries and my zepherine drouhin rose doing well so far in similar conditions
garrya and different shades of cornus with underplanting of all small stuff mentioned will do nicely. Look at shady place commercial and civic planting for ideas and (whisper) cuttings!