Could anyone recommend plants for a shady damp area? The soil is heavy clay and the area is shaded by a tree and also the shadow from the house behind me.
I tried Astrantia's last year and they died? Could it have been due to all the rain though that we had? Or something I didn't do!? The other plans I have not tried though therefore I shall look them up thank you!
Verdun-do Astrantias cope with the heavy unforgiving clay though? I've not grown them but I'd be slightly worried if they didn't have a bit of drainage. Would you advise a bit of extra grit under those circumstances?
Michelle- Verdun's and Obelixx's suggestions are excellent I think. Can I also suggest Solomon's Seal? (Polygonatum) although make sure it's not waterlogged -it likes a bit of drainage so some grit worked in would benefit. The white flowering plants help lighten the dark area. Some of the ferns are very attractive although lots of people don't like them. The white Dicentra is lovely and the white form of Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) might be ok with a bit of grit too.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It is very heavy clay so that is probably why they died......my Hydrangea doesn't seem to have survived either I have white stalks?! I also planted a japanese aneomone and that also died.
I'll definitely add some grit going forward for any new plants I put in. I'm not a lover of ferns.......I'll definitely try Dicentra, Astibes, Aconitums and Jacobs Ladder those are all beautiful plants! Thanks so much for all your suggestions.
Bergenia is a bit like S's Seal and J's Ladder in that you might need a good bit of grit and something to open up the clay a bit. I have the white ('Bressingham White') as I'm not keen on the pink ones but they are great for shade. It's worth giving the soil a bit of help before you start as it'll probably benefit anything you plant there.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Heucheras are great and there are tons to choose from now! The purpley ones might be a little dark for your site but there are plenty of lighter greens etc. I had a toffee coloured one some years ago but I can't remember the name. No doubt someone else here will know it though!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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I tried Astrantia's last year and they died? Could it have been due to all the rain though that we had? Or something I didn't do!? The other plans I have not tried though therefore I shall look them up thank you!
Chelone, hostas, fritillaria meleagris, hemerocallis, dicentra spectabile and its white form, lily of the valley...........
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Verdun-do Astrantias cope with the heavy unforgiving clay though? I've not grown them but I'd be slightly worried if they didn't have a bit of drainage. Would you advise a bit of extra grit under those circumstances?
Michelle- Verdun's and Obelixx's suggestions are excellent I think. Can I also suggest Solomon's Seal? (Polygonatum) although make sure it's not waterlogged -it likes a bit of drainage so some grit worked in would benefit. The white flowering plants help lighten the dark area. Some of the ferns are very attractive although lots of people don't like them. The white Dicentra is lovely and the white form of Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) might be ok with a bit of grit too.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It is very heavy clay so that is probably why they died......my Hydrangea doesn't seem to have survived either I have white stalks?! I also planted a japanese aneomone and that also died.
I'll definitely add some grit going forward for any new plants I put in. I'm not a lover of ferns.......I'll definitely try Dicentra, Astibes, Aconitums and Jacobs Ladder those are all beautiful plants! Thanks so much for all your suggestions.
Would Bergenia's be any good? They are evergreen so provide an all year round interest......
Bergenia is a bit like S's Seal and J's Ladder in that you might need a good bit of grit and something to open up the clay a bit. I have the white ('Bressingham White') as I'm not keen on the pink ones but they are great for shade. It's worth giving the soil a bit of help before you start as it'll probably benefit anything you plant there.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'll do that thank you! Lots of digging ahead for me! Lol. I also read that Heuchera's were suitable for damp shade and they are also evergreen.
Heucheras are great and there are tons to choose from now! The purpley ones might be a little dark for your site but there are plenty of lighter greens etc. I had a toffee coloured one some years ago but I can't remember the name. No doubt someone else here will know it though!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...