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your favourite woodland perennials
geum keenbutgreen
Posts: 508
in Talkback
Just planted up the shrubs in my new border, and now looking for perennials of differing heights and flowering periods to complement. It's south west facing but mostly shady area (against a laurel hedge and under a large yew tree), so am thinking of woodland plants to complement.
I'd like mostly white flowers to lighten up the area (some pink/lighter red also ok). I was thinking foxgloves, sweet woodruffe, white vinca minor, maybe wood anenomes... but I'd really like suggestions from those much more experienced than I am!
Many thanks!
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Would variegated leaves do, like Brunnera Jack Frost? Geranium macrorrhizum 'White-Ness', or a white Geranium Phaeum?
Have a look at Long Acre Plants
http://www.plantsforshade.co.uk/
I had some good plants from here last year.
I rather like bluebells.
And wood anemones.
Is the soil quite dry though, since it's more permanent shade rather than dappled like woodland?
There's a white Thalictrum which will give height if you need it. The white Dicentra should do well there as long as it's not too dry.
BL's right about geraniums - there are plenty of whites to choose from and they'll flower for ages.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Pulmonarias are lovely for early in the year - there is a white one called sissinghurst. I have opal, which is a lovely pale blue - started flowering in January, and still going strong now. The variegated leaves are nice when its not flowering too.
Even though it's near a hedge, the soil doesn't seem as dry as you think - possibly as the ground slopes towards the border so run off gets to it before it hits the hedge.
chicky's suggestion of the pulmonaria has reminded me of the white Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) I had in a previous garden. That would work too
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...