What is it?

[VintageDisco]

Does anyone know what this plant is? It's one of the few things that grows well in my shady back garden, if only for a few weeks in early spring, so I'd like to use it as a guide for what else to plant. Thanks.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

I think it's a camelia. Can you take a pic of the whole plant, for scale?

Google pics of camelia and see what you think.

[WellErrr]

Oooh watching! I keep driving past one of these and I love it!

[AthelstaneTheUnready]

Yes, it's a camelia - there's a lovely dark red one out where I am at the moment.

[Snarklepoo]

Hi Vintage, as others have said, that's a camellia. If you are looking for other plants which might do well, take a look at other ericaceous (acid-loving) plants such as rhododendron, pieris, enkianthus. Shrubs like deutzia, pittosporum should do well too. These can be good with plants like primulas, lilies and try meconopsis if you are free draining enough.

Have a check of your soil pH with a testing kit from the garden centre. Feed the soil by incorporating some extra ericaceous compost and leaf mould is always great if you can make it/beg some from someone.

Keep your camellia well watered over the summer. They set next year's flower buds the previous summer and get affected by summer drought.

Hope this helps.

[Snarklepoo]

Here's more. It's all coming back to me now...

Hydrangea, viburnum, trilliums, nomocharis, hosta, some of the native ferns, prunus and bamboo if you're feeling brave. You might get away with tropaeolum speciosum too.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Oh and blueberries too! B&Q have 3 small plants for £10 at the moment

[VintageDisco]

Thank you for all the replies and advice. That's what I thought, but I don't really know much about flowers, and know nothing about camellias so I don't know why that would pop into my head. I do love lilies so I will definitely try some this year. Here's another picture which may help.

[Ferguson]

Camellias do like it shady - the only problem is they can get frosted if it is too cold.

They come in many different colours, forms and sizes.

www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-grow-camellias/

www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-1241417/MONTY-DON-Why-Camellias-everyones-cup-tea.html

www.internationalcamellia.org/basic-principles-of-growing-camellias

I'll come back sometime with more things that might be suitable.

[timtam23]

I had a pieris in a north-facing garden, I have no idea if the soil was particularly acidic but the pieris seemed to thrive in the shade and looked lovely. Unfortunately it became infected with lacewings (I think) and couldn't be saved.

[Buzzardbird]

I have these growing up the side of my house and the different colours and movement of the sun makes them flower at different times. I have pink, red white, stripey and peachy ones. They are so lovely, I really enjoy them, as do the birds.