Advice on plants and maintenance tips for my garden

andrew.g.whytemInpxd9z

Hello, very amateur gardener here

My house (UK) has a fairly small garden which is enclosed by a 7ft stonewall to the southern perimeter and a brick / wooden paneled wall to the rear (west) with a large conifer directly behind in the neighbours garden. The soil in the borders and turf is usually very damp (assume drainage isn't that good) and pH is approx 6-7.

We have a big issue with shade due to the stone wall and large conifer but the northern half of the garden receives good sun in the warmer half of the year.

The part I struggle with is managing the border running along the stone wall (hardly ever receives direct sunlight) and the back border of the garden which is shaded by the wall and conifer. Another issue we have at the rear is the conifer dropping its needles and cones covering all the soil in the back border.

I would really welcome your advice on how to manage these borders and also recommendations on plants to grow which will thrive in this environment.

Busy-Lizzie

Busy-Lizzie

I would widen the bed along the wall then I would plant plants that like damp shade, such as hostas, astilbe, persicaria, ferns, Rodgersia, pulmonaria and foxgloves. There are clematis that would climb up the wall, given some support, such as wires or trellis. Etoile Violette is one, there are others that grow in shade.

nutcutlet

If it were mine I'd widen the border and get in some shade loving shrubs. If you had a Sarcococca you'd have a wonderful scent right now

Plantminded

I also think that your border needs to be wider/deeper to give enough space to enable layers of planting rather than plants placed in a row like a hedge.  I’d want something architectural in there to contrast with the conifer and other evergreens.  Fatsia japonica thrives in shade and although they prefer sun, Phormiums will tolerate shade quite happily.  I’d recommend choosing a variegated variety which will bring light to that border.  For ground cover, hardy geraniums will provide colour and there are shade loving grasses like Hakonechloa which will blend in well with the other recommendations above.  That’s a really attractive wall, I’d leave some of it exposed!

punkdoc

Great wall, and I would look at @Busy-Lizzie suggestions, all excellent for shade, plus I would consider Hostas.

Plantminded

Another shrub worth considering which will add height and structure to your border is Hydrangea paniculata Limelight.  It thrives in damp shade and provides interest from Spring to Winter with flowers that are at first lime green, then white, a pink flush develops, followed by bronzed dry flowerheads over winter. Hardy geraniums and the shade loving plants recommended by @Busy-Lizzie will go well with them.

Fairygirl

Are you up here by any chance @andrew.g.whytemInpxd9z?
I'd agree - borders need to be a bit wider to give you more scope, and then you can get some damp and shade loving shrubs and plants in there.
I'd also add Dicentra, Polemonium [Jacob's Ladder] Polygonatum [Solomon's Seal] Japanese Anemones and Acteas to the list if the soil's reliably damp. Hellebores too.  All of those are white, or available in white, which is ideal for a shady spot. 
Add some spring bulbs in there as well - daffs, snowdrops and crocus will be fine, and Convallaria [lily of the valley] and you could also have Camassias which are another bulb which loves moist soil, but the foliage is quite big and messy while it dies back.
I agree too about leaving some of that wall on show. Gorgeous feature to have. 

andrew.g.whytemInpxd9z

Many thanks for all the extremely helpful advice and recommendations. I'm down in the South West. I am going to be busy widening the border this weekend. Is it okay to plant those species this time of year? Do I need to prep the bed in any way?

Fairygirl

The bed will need to have some extra nourishment added - rotted manure is ideal, and any other organic matter like compost or leaf mould, although I'm guessing you won't have leaf mould. That will beef up the soil and help anything new to thrive. Anything you plant will need attention until well established, especially with watering, even if the soil is reliably damp, because the wall area could be drier. If the soil is permanently damp, that makes it easier though. 
I wouldn't plant just now unless the bed's nicely prepped, and the plants you buy are big enough, ie not tiny things in 3 inch pots. Avoid planting if conditions aren't decent. Frosty/icy spells are no use.   

andrew.g.whytemInpxd9z

Fairygirl said:

The bed will need to have some extra nourishment added - rotted manure is ideal, and any other organic matter like compost or leaf mould, although I'm guessing you won't have leaf mould. That will beef up the soil and help anything new to thrive. Anything you plant will need attention until well established, especially with watering, even if the soil is reliably damp, because the wall area could be drier. If the soil is permanently damp, that makes it easier though. 
I wouldn't plant just now unless the bed's nicely prepped, and the plants you buy are big enough, ie not tiny things in 3 inch pots. Avoid planting if conditions aren't decent. Frosty/icy spells are no use.   

Will chicken poo be okay?