Hi I have a shaded bed that I have cleared today so it's ready for plants. Any suggestions for plants with the sun not really getting there? plants that are bright are preferable and I'd love them to last through summer? Thanks
I've just bought some plant from the garden centre, it's sunny here today. I've also bought 4 begonia bulbs, the lady said I could plant straight in the ground, is that correct? Would they be ok in the shaded border or would they be better at the front of my house where the sun is? Thanks
It's a very narrow border Natalie, so it's a bit more limited, but there's plenty of things which will be happy there. Perennials - Astilbe, Japanese Anemones, Hostas, Geraniums (the hardy ones, not Pelargoniums) Pulmonarias, Dicentras, Pulsatillas, Heucheras and Tiarellas for starters. Some evergreens to give a bit of background and structure - Pachysandra (low growing) prostrate Gaultherias and some of the variegated Carexes. They'll give you a foil for the other plants.
There are annuals which are happy in shade too - Busy Lizzies in particular - so you could add those for summer. Spring bulbs planted this autumn among those will add some early colour. Crocus, snowdrops and anemones will all be fine there.
You could add some sweet peas for summer - they will do well enough with a bit of shade. Clematis for the fence is a great idea - take a look at Taylor's online site and you'll find loads for that aspect. The alpinas might suit you as they're early and need no pruning. You could then add one or two for summer/autumn depending on how much room you have.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Am watching this with interest for a similar but wider spot on my front drive. I was so keen on skimmia but then I realised my soil is alkaline and so it's a no go. Re hostas, what about slugs? Short of putting down blue pellets or beer cups in ground which means in our usual wet summer almost daily cleaning of area any suggestions?
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The triangle are does get some sun and has daffs at the mo and tulips are on their way up. Alliums also due up
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There are quite a few Clematis that do well in shade, you'd need to attach wires or strong netting to the fence,
http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-will-tolerate-shade/
It's a very narrow border Natalie, so it's a bit more limited, but there's plenty of things which will be happy there. Perennials - Astilbe, Japanese Anemones, Hostas, Geraniums (the hardy ones, not Pelargoniums) Pulmonarias, Dicentras, Pulsatillas, Heucheras and Tiarellas for starters. Some evergreens to give a bit of background and structure - Pachysandra (low growing) prostrate Gaultherias and some of the variegated Carexes. They'll give you a foil for the other plants.
There are annuals which are happy in shade too - Busy Lizzies in particular - so you could add those for summer. Spring bulbs planted this autumn among those will add some early colour. Crocus, snowdrops and anemones will all be fine there.
You could add some sweet peas for summer - they will do well enough with a bit of shade. Clematis for the fence is a great idea - take a look at Taylor's online site and you'll find loads for that aspect. The alpinas might suit you as they're early and need no pruning. You could then add one or two for summer/autumn depending on how much room you have.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
don't forget Hostas.
I'd be careful of lysmiachia punctata, and indeed lily of the valley. One happy they're thugs. I've dug barrow loads of both from gardens before now.
Ahem - Hosta...I did mention you....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...