Will anything grow in my border next to my neighbours' conifers?

[MrsBartlet]

I have a border about 60ft long which is separated from my neighbours garden by a fence. Along about a quarter of the border they have conifers on their side and nothing I plant in my border there will grow, excepting a buddleia that I put in last summer. To add to that problem the border faces NW and is clay with very poor drainage. Does anyone know of anything tough enough to survive these conditions?

[purplewithred]

Rhs plant selector has quite a lot of suggestions.

[purplewithred]

Sorry that wasn't very helpful! Persicaria, eupatorium, rodgersia, ferns, tiarella, periwinkle, bugle, angelica all lovely from their list.

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Conifers are notorious for creating a sort of dead zone around them. Vinca (periwinkle) is tough as old boots. You could try that.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Ruscus aculeatus is another one that will survive anywhere.

[MrsBartlet]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I will look them up. I have some Vinca running amok further along the border so I will transplant some of that - thanks for that idea.