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Dry shade location

DARCY1DARCY1 Posts: 8
in Plants
As a new emerging  seedling (completely new lockdown gardener)  I have an area underneath a fir tree. There is a reasonable amount of light. However its dry ,lots of fallen needles make it  really dry. I planted a dozen cyclamens and they didn't survive. What can I plant that will give colour and coverage?  Someone suggested hellebores? 
Thank you for any help.

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 25,252
    I'd put something in a container (s). The ground will probably be too dry to support anything .
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I agree with B3. I think with the roots taking all the moisture it will be just too dry to support anything unless you are prepared to irrigate it. 

    I think the suggestion of containers might work for you. 
  • OmoriOmori Posts: 1,673
    Have a look here for some ideas, you probably need to do some deep watering initially while they become established.

    https://www.plantsforshade.co.uk/acatalog/Plants_for_Dry_Shade.html

    I have bergenia, hellebore, and mahonia ‘soft caress’ in similar conditions. 
  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 328
    Silly question - you did plant outdoor cyclamens? and kept them watered?
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • DARCY1DARCY1 Posts: 8
    I believe they were outdoor.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,436
    Hardy geraniums
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,120
    You could try with Cyclamen hederifolium, but it’s a long shot. C. coum won’t like it. Not a lot can tolerate those conditions.
  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 886
    We have the following growing under an large cherry Laurel tree where it is extremely dry and where the planting is also shady. I watered them all well when planted in the Autumn and if they looked as if they were struggling in the first spring/summer but not since (3years). All are doing well

    Liriope muscari
    Hakonechloa Aureola and macra
    Uncinia rubra
    Snowdrops
    Bergenia Overture

    To one side of the canopy we also have part of our box knot garden and Narcissus

    Geranium macrorrhizum are good for dry shade




     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • DARCY1DARCY1 Posts: 8
    Thank you everyone. Think I will try berginia.
    My raised beds and polytunnel are doing better. Lots of seeds germinated,just cannt wait to get some rewards. One thing I'm learning is patience.🙂.
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