cheap, shade loving, colourful, hardy plants?

[ThatllDoPig]

Are there any? All greenfingered people out there please pass on any recommendations of what to look for. I have a garden overshadowed by a huge oak, it is beautiful, but shades everything and drains nutrients from the soil. What do I have a hope of growing? I need some colour if poss.

[Aworryingtrend]

I have the same issue- we have a section of the garden which is overshadowed by a tree and nothing flourishes there at all. i was thinking of going to the garden centre and choosing plants suitable for a rockery, as I figure they are generally hardy?

[sybilvimes]

Hostas do really well in the shade and they haave lovely flowers, often in purple/pink shades. They also have very pretty leaves in lots of different shades of green.

Ferns would do well also, but not so good on flowers. Will try to think of others...

[ThisIsANiceCage]

I've had success with yellow archangel, which appears to grow in almost total darkness. Doesn't flower for long but the variegated leaves catch the light attractively.

But that website's not kidding about needing to keep it under control. Member of the mint family. Nuff said!

[doozle]

Hardy geraniums are good, you must get the shade-loving ones. Long season of beautiful flowers.

I like heuchera purple prince - a shade-loving foliage plant, gorgeous dark red glossy leaves.

I also like large foliage and structural plants for a shady garden. They look very lush and healthy. So things like fatsia japonica, gunneras. Some of the spiky plants will do well in the shade too.

Pyrancatha does well and has white flowers in spring, red berries in autumn.

Jasminium nudiflorium - gorgeous yellow flowers in winter.

Hollies and ivies - variegated leaves will bring colour.

I love shady gardens.

[RightUpMyRue]

I have no idea if either of these fit all you requirement but they are both thriving in my somewhat shady, somewhat neglected garden but I planted a climbing jasmine and a honeysuckle. Both were intended to cover up the ugly fence at the back. The jasmine is a beast now, has at least quadrupled it's size since last year and is covered in little white flowers, very pretty. The honeysuckle has been less aggressive with its growth but is still doing very well.

I've also planted a couple of clematis which are doing very nicely with little or no help from me other than occasional watering. Passion flowers are similar too, I think.

[CQrrrneee]

anemones will grow in shade

[ThatllDoPig]

Thanks everyone!

[piratecat]

i have purchased a lovely Japonica, pieris debutante.

sounds well posh doesn't it!! It's evergreen, the leaves are dark greens and light greens. red frothy flower bits at the moment which will go white.

I really think i won't kill this! oh and this is also called a Lily of the valley plant.
I also saw some other Japonicas that looked v interesting but could only afford one.