I've just moved house and we now have an absolutely amazing garden, but it also needs some work. What plants would you recommend growing here? I have some more ferns to plant as this is a shady covered spot, but is there anything else that would also thrive here?
by hixpix
20 Comments
You need some dogwood 😬
That’s such a cool space to have and what a beautiful doggo.
It reminds me of a forest path with a secret picnic spot.
There are lots of little alpine rockery plants that would work perfectly for this. You can also get some really cool looking Moss that are great for cover
Native ferns would look perfect there
https://preview.redd.it/eiw0f5blihpf1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a493344f7c0eb24e5156385ab332d153868029bc
An additional photo of what we have growing in this section
Cyclamen are good for shady spots and under trees. Very nice at this time of year.
That’s a lovely space. I’d have fairy lights up straight away! Ferns, pulmonaria, native bluebells, would all work well. Dark leaved heuchera would like it there, too, I think.
Dog roses
Dogwood
Dog’s-tooth lily
Dog’s-tooth violet
Loads of options really…
Great recommendations here already alongside your ferns which will look lovely. Only thing I’d add (which I was way too impatient to do) is give it a year. Watch what grows and how, where the light hits when, how water sits and drains, and make some notes and take some photos. Obviously some maintenance needed as and when, but this will give you a chance to really get a sense of what will do well where.
Hellebores would give interesting foliage plus flowers early season
We have a similar area and have a mix of Lily of the Valley, ferns, crocusima and a few foxgloves and daffodils where we get a bit of dappled sunlight through the trees. If you don’t get a lot of slugs then go for hostas – but we are a slug haven so they are a no no for us! We have spare lady’s mantle from another spot so have moved some to see if it does well.
I’ve got quite a shady garden and one plant I got this year was Tiarella which seems very happy. The ones I’ve got have quite a variegated dark green leaf compared to the images here which provide some interest.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/18215/tiarella-cordifolia/details
Hydrangeas are always a good shout
Japanese anemone and hellebore like shade. Also Bluebells. Primula will add some colour.
https://preview.redd.it/yi447oafwhpf1.png?width=498&format=png&auto=webp&s=de12fc3601ccf87321a06e47a7c72d54a7c8fcf3
All I saw lol
Hellebores, primula, astilbe, periwinkle
Perhaps whitewash the fence to brighten, reflect s but of light and provide contrast to the greenery so the shapes stand out
An aside but you consider a second dog? I guarantee that it will make everything better.
Ivy and ferns seem to like it, expand on that theme
I’ve tried a few gardening kits too, honestly only one gave me great results . If you are curious, happy to share what worked for me.
Cute pergola! What about some climbing hydrangeas? or Sarcococca. Whoeever said watch and wait to see what grows and how much light throughout seasons is a really good shout.