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Dead patch under tree in full shade!

Hi everyone, my husband and I are very much novices when it comes to gardening, and are just  embarking on the project of our first garden. We have a very obvious problem area; a large dead patch under an oak (I think!) tree at the bottom of our garden, adjacent to a large shrub border and in heavy shade all day. does anyone have any ideas on what we could do with this area please? Will anything grow there? any advice appreciated! Thanksimage

Posts

  • E34E34 Posts: 13

    P.s. Excuse the rubbish under the tree - shed off cuts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    I think its a sycamore.

    There is not much that will grow in dry heavy shade. As it is deciduous , you need to concentrate on early flowerers such as cyclamen, or snowdrops, followed by hardy geraniums.

  • E34E34 Posts: 13

    Hi fidgetbones, thank you for the advice, and for identifying our tree! Is there a good time to plant these? I assume it's too late for the early flowerers...

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    I would plant in the autumn, when the soil is damp. You might find it too hard to dig now.

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    E34 says:

    P.s. Excuse the rubbish under the tree - shed off cuts

    See original post

     Could you move your shed to this spot?

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096

    .. or have a garden studio type thing?

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    There should always be room in a garden for a shady seat!

    Apart from that quite a lot will grow in a dry shady spot - shrubs - shrubby loniceras, hypericum, euonymus, leycesteria, holly  - perennials - ivy, herbaceous geraniums, epimedium, pulmonaria, saxifrage . Try searching the net for more. 

    The trick will be getting them started. You may find the ground congested with tree roots and it will certainly be impoverished. Dig or fork some good compost in when you are planting and keep the plants well watered for about their first year. After that they should be well established. And if you plant in the autumn, remember and check how dry it is under there and if bone dry water even in the winter. 

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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