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3rd plot!
Liz Warner
Posts: 199
in Talkback
This is a plot under some apple trees, north facing. It already has some elephants ears and bluebells under. Theres jasmine at tieback against the garage wall which has already had a severe hair cut. I'd quite like some winter and spring flowers for when the tree is bare and the area looks a little ugly and damp. I'm thinking cyclamen, busy lizzies, crocus, lily of the valley and sweet box. That's probably far too much!! Inspiration please?!
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I would suggest 'go woodland'...ferns, hostas, Solomon' Seal (and yes, lily of the valley). Is there a path at the edge of the lawn? London Pride would look good along there. The apple trees will take a lot of the wet away so your hostas shouldn't be affected by too many slugs; however, because of the drier soil, you will need to water.
Well, the one bit of advice that is often repeated on here is to wait and see what grows each season. Well I waited, and tidied, to find that the raised bed is actually covered in concrete slab! There's bergenia, crocosmias, bluebells and maybe some daffs appearing In the small bit of mud around the trees and at the front of the bed. A few more bulbs I think and it'll look lovely. I've also tidied the corner and will add ferns and London Pride. The bed never gets any sun though-don't hostas like sun?
Some like partial shade/full sun, but the best ones for north-facing borders are those that are green (as opposed to 'blue') with a white or cream border around the leaves. Mine, that get no sun at all, are lovely in the summer and still produce loads of flowers despite the shade. Three varietals are "Christmas Tree", "First Frost" and "Liberty". Having said that, I have a 'blue' hosta which should be (according to the RHS) in the same partial shade/full sun, just loves being with his more retiring buddies under the forsythia and winter jasmine, sheltered by the fence from any of that silly old sun.