Novice: what can I grow in the shade of a fence?

[LaTristesse]

I have a 20ft fence along one side of my garden, and at the moment the lawn goes up to the edge, but the edge is in fact very straggly so I'm thinking of making either a bed along there instead, or paving a strip and standing pots along there. But what can I grow in that area? It never gets any direct sun and I'm a total novice with tiny children so something low maintenance would be ideal! Happy to grow stuff up the fence if that might be an option...
Thank you for any ideas!

I would make a bed rather than have pots, which need more waterng and upkeep.

Does the fence itself get any sun? Cleamtis like to have their ehads in the sun and their feet ij shade, so if the top of the fence gets some sun you could plant cleamtis, honeysuckle, Cinise Virginia creeper or (if you're careful, as it will take over) ivy up the fence. For ground cover, hardy gernaiums, hostas, (beware slugs) and violas can all cope with shade.

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Poo. That posted before I was ready.

I would make a bed rather than have pots, which need more watering and upkeep.

Does the fence itself get any sun? Clematis like to have their heads in the sun and their feet in shade, so if the top of the fence gets some sun you could plant clematis, honeysuckle, Chinese Virginia creeper or (if you're careful, as it will take over) ivy up the fence. For ground cover, hardy geraniums, hostas (beware slugs) and violas can all cope with shade.

Lots of advice from the RHS -

Shade planting

Plants for dry shade

Climbers for shade

Oo that's fab thank you! Definitely avoiding ivy as I've just spent a hideous weekend removing next doors ivy from my garage, it was rampant and i bloody hate the stuff! Honeysuckle on the other hand is a fabulous idea! Yes a couple of the fence panels do get the sun so I shall definitely give that a go! Thanks very much for your re

...ply!

You're welcome! I am becoming more and more besotted with honeysuckle -the scent in the evening is gorgeous.

Thanks for this thread, I am in exactly the same position - fence, shade, small children, first time ever had a garden so total novice to the extent that I planted bulbs upside down.

Except in our case the bed is already there but it is filled with shrubs that don't seem to do very much and/or flowers that don't flower, and I would like something a bit more coloured/ scented. SO hurray for the advice especialyl honeysuckle.