Can you suggest some plants to go in pots in a really shady spot?

[ZuleikaJambiere]

One corner of our patio has a house wall on both sides, meaning it gets no sunlight on it at all . It has a ledge, about 6 inches deep and 6 foot long, that is currently empty and just looks dark and damp. I'd love to have a row of small plant pots with something colourful along there to make it more slightly. Something like bright red pelargoniums, except I'm sure they won't like the shade. Can you suggest anything bright and cheerful? The rest of the garden is still work in progress, but I'm aiming for a cottage garden feel

Thank you

[WelliesandPyjamas]

It wouldn't fit on your 6 inch ledge but it would fit the cottage garden look...hydranga, which I have accidentally found is quite happy indeed in a sheltered large pot in almost total shade. Forget-me-nots are also very forgiving.

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Variegated hostas? The ledge will give some protection from slugs, although admittedly there won't be much colour until you get the purple/blue flowers. Very elegant, though.

[ZuleikaJambiere]

I love hydrangeas and hostas, thank you for those suggestions. There is some space in front of the wall/ledge, so I could invest in about 3 big pots for hydrangeas, I was hoping to keep it fairly cheap though.

At the end of the wall I have an equally shady bed, with several hostas that are thriving there, I'd not thought of having them in pots. All good food for thought, thank you (and for any other suggestions that may come along)

[whereisshe]

If you don't have small children or pets, you can mix slug pellets through the potting mix when you plant the hostas - it will keep the slugs at bay.

Woodland plants do well in shade - bluebells, anemones etc. You could rotate the pots out while they're dormant?

[ZuleikaJambiere]

I really love your anemone suggestion, I think that could be just what I'm looking for - thank you!