Talk to me about planters...

[Fruli]

I have acquired some scrap decking from a friend, the intention being to make a large-ish garden planter. There's enough to make about a 4ft by 6ft box, around 8-12 inches deep. It is going in a reasonably shady patch with minimal topsoil (bloody new build properties with their building waste-filled gardens). My questions:

Is this a reasonable size?
What soils do I put in?
What plants thrive in the shade and are pretty to look at?
Can you tell I'm a novice?!

What you are talking about is more a raised bed than a planter. You need to fill it with topsoil. Buy it from a reputable supplier, eg garden centre or landscaping supply type company; not from some random on gum tree etc. as it could be contaminated with weed seeds or worse nasties.

For shade planting, have a look at Crocus's shade section for inspiration. There are many plants that thrive in shade.

That sounds like a lovely potential planting site!

Some of the things I would put in if I had it include:

hydrangeas
hostas
aquilegias
heucheras
ferns
periwinkles (small ones, minor not major!)

Ooh, fab thank you both. I'll check out the shade plants list - I know nothing of this gardening terminology but I'm keen to have a beautiful garden!