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What to plant to follow spring bulbs in part shade?
So planning ahead to autumn I'm wondering what to buy. I grew anemone blanda, grape hyacinths and ipherion which grew lovely in very early spring under part shade of apple tree in border. But when leaves died back early summer it all got a bit bare. What could I grow that wouldn't smother the bulbs very early spring but provide ground cover (and or flower) into summer. Site is part shade (sun in morning)at front of border and more dappled shade at back and soil is well-draining. Any thoughts?
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I use aquilegia to fill the gap between spring and summer plants. Once the flowers finish you can cut the whole plant back to the ground and they will re-grow attractive but lower height foliage which really doesn't get in the way of emerging summer and autumn plants.
Deciduous ferns that produce new fronds in spring would also look terrific. The new crosiers would look great alongside narcissi etc.
I use geraniums too Will, such a great variety to choose from, one for every occasion as they say.
They (usually) die back, then in spring they show a tight clump of foliage at ground level. The bulbs would fill the empty space around them, and then the leaves of the geranium would eventually cover the bulbs after flowering.
Just to add, there are a few exceptions - G. oxonianum makes quite a congested clump of thick roots, and G. maccrorhizum doesn't really die back. However G. maccrorhizum is fairly low (especially the variety 'Whiteness') so would easily allow most bulbs to poke through.
G. 'Mavis Simpson' and 'Ann Thompson' both die back to a small base, but gradually cover a decent amount of space later in the year, making them perfect.
Ferns would look amazing dotted here and there too.
That's probably Male Fern. As you can see, doesn't take up much space in early spring and your bulbs will be dying off by the time it covers them. Dryopteris affinis is also easy, but you'll need to cut the old fronds off in late winter. Same with Polystichum setiferum which has lovely furry fronds.