I successfully grow plants under conifers and even under cupressocyparis leylandii. You just have to remove all the lower limbs, add loads of, preferably home made compost, use shade loving plants and water them daily.
Hostas would be ok. There is such a variety of them. I know there is the problem with slugs and snails but I have just read that it is best to put out a scattering of slug pellets in Feb / March so they are killed before having young. I do worry about the birds eating them after they have eaten slug pellets. Cannot win.
Dont make the same mistake we made, get a tree surgeon in before you start planting
get the trees thinned and topped first, then prepare your beds. I have got lots of interesting plants including a lot that have been mentioned. Aquelegias do quite well, I have just planted a Solomons Seal that looks very pretty and some white fox gloves, ferns, etc
Oops hope the pic I uploaded isnt too big.
Can think of any veg that will tolerate shade except wild garlic.
Chives will take a fair bit of abuse in terms of growing conditions and don't need full sun. When it's dry shade you either have to pick plants accordingly or be prepared to get some goodness into the soil and keep on top of the watering as many shade lovers also require moisture! A mulch will help those plants too once you've got them in the ground and watered them in.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
solomon's seal is a fascinating plant but that and hostias will be preyed upon by slugs and snails. Use nemotodes for slugs, collect snails and relocate regularly.
I have been very lucky with the Hostas and Solomons Seal in my "woodland" garden, they are untouched by the slimey brigade, its either because we have a shed nearby where a hedgehog family live, or it might be that when we had our trees lopped, we spread the wood shavings out along the path and they dont like to go over it.
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Thanks to you all from me. I have the same problem as DMG, so all that information has been so useful. Garden Centre here I come !
I successfully grow plants under conifers and even under cupressocyparis leylandii. You just have to remove all the lower limbs, add loads of, preferably home made compost, use shade loving plants and water them daily.
Hostas would be ok. There is such a variety of them. I know there is the problem with slugs and snails but I have just read that it is best to put out a scattering of slug pellets in Feb / March so they are killed before having young. I do worry about the birds eating them after they have eaten slug pellets. Cannot win.
foxgloves
lovage (in light shade)
Dont make the same mistake we made, get a tree surgeon in before you start planting
get the trees thinned and topped first, then prepare your beds. I have got lots of interesting plants including a lot that have been mentioned. Aquelegias do quite well, I have just planted a Solomons Seal that looks very pretty and some white fox gloves, ferns, etc
Oops hope the pic I uploaded isnt too big.
Can think of any veg that will tolerate shade except wild garlic.
Don't forget the autumn and winter Cyclamen, hederifolium and coum
In the sticks near Peterborough
Chives will take a fair bit of abuse in terms of growing conditions and don't need full sun. When it's dry shade you either have to pick plants accordingly or be prepared to get some goodness into the soil and keep on top of the watering as many shade lovers also require moisture! A mulch will help those plants too once you've got them in the ground and watered them in.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
solomon's seal is a fascinating plant but that and hostias will be preyed upon by slugs and snails. Use nemotodes for slugs, collect snails and relocate regularly.
I have been very lucky with the Hostas and Solomons Seal in my "woodland" garden, they are untouched by the slimey brigade, its either because we have a shed nearby where a hedgehog family live, or it might be that when we had our trees lopped, we spread the wood shavings out along the path and they dont like to go over it.
Apart from the wild garlic, English/Irish sorrel and posibly Mint could grow and even Chervil, as I am discovering that it does not like part sun.