Shaded area issues

prjchambers

Hi everyone
Im looking for advice on what plants are best for a partial shaded area. I recently bought a L Shaped planter and I’m after ideas on how to fill it. Preferably I would like some plants with some colour 
many thanks for your help
p.s I’m a complete novice at gardening so all help is much appreciated 

Hostafan1

HOSTAS
Welcome to the Forum.

Fairygirl

What size is the planter and do you want permanent planting or seasonal, or both?

prjchambers

Hi
its 1m x1m and 18” high. 
I think both would be good. It’s basically to mark
the grave of our pet cat who recently passed away so it would be good to have it always looking nice if possible. I’ve included a picture so you can see how it looks. Please note this isn’t my garden 🙂

Fairygirl

The first thing you'll need to do is drill plenty of holes in the bottom so that water can drain away. It would also be worth lining it to prevent it rotting so quickly. Bear in mind that you'll be responsible for watering and feeding etc, as the plants can't access the ground when they're in containers. 
There are lots of low growing campanulas which  would give a good effect in that top section - poscharskyana is one, and as it can get quite wild in an open space, it should be good in a confined space. Hostas, as aforementioned will be lovely, and you can underplant them with spring bulbs to give a longer show. Hardy geraniums will also flower away happily, and there are loads to choose from, and they can have bulbs planted with them too. Polemonium [ Jacob's Ladder] is an easy plant which would give a little height, doesn't take over, and is readily available in blue or white. Heucheras will also be fine, and there are lots to choose from. 
A couple of evergreen plants would help give some interest over winter too, and those can be something as simple as the small variegated ivies, and ground cover like Pachysandra or Saxifraga urbium [ London Pride] . Some of the evergreen Carexes will also be fine, especially the variegated ones. 

I can't quite see how that 2nd tier works, as it's open to the base though. 

sarahgeorge4292

I've planted some Lewisia which are growing surprisingly well, Hosta and I am currently clearing the way for Hydrangea Annabelle

prjchambers

I can't quite see hhat 2nd tier works, as it's open to the base though. 

I agree, I think I may have to modify it and add some extra wood to fill it in, to create the extra level. 
My mistake as I’ve ordered it online but I didn’t study the picture in great detail. That’ll teach me. 

prjchambers

Should I line it with some waterproof membrane? 

Fairygirl

Yes - remember to make holes in it too 
I doubt that a hydrangea would do well in there. It would need a whole, very large,  container to itself. 

Singing Gardener

I have 3 wooden planters which are shaded for much of the day. I have a mixture of permanent plants and summer bedding in them.

The permanent plants include artemesia,  hebes, a small conifer, grasses, fuschia and a blue convolvulus.

To this I add colour-themed bedding petunias, bacopa and whatever else takes my fancy. This is how they looked last year (they haven't really got going properly yet this year).

prjchambers

Thank you all for the excellent advice