North facing neglected garden help

[LearnFromThePast]

We have just moved into a rental property and have a garden for the first time. I know nothing about gardening. It is North facing and we know from the landlord that none of the previous tenants have bothered with it at all so it was in a terrible state.

We have so far put in a few pots and found a patio under a small soil mountain at the top, so are gradually digging that out. Also hoping to do something with the flowerbeds once they are sorted out.

It is an awkward space as it is very long and narrow and then widens near the top into the patio area. Just wondered what you would do with the space as I have enjoyed lurking here for a while. Any tips on container plants for a North facing garden also appreciated.

Pinterest hasn’t been much help due to the shape of it and also because we are renting and can’t make many structural changes.

Unfortunately it is not only N facing, but overshadowed by those huge fir trees. Make a note of any spots that do get sun for some part of the day, plants that like semi shade will be fine in those spots.
There are quite a lot of ground cover plants that like shade and also ferns like dark damp spots.
There won’t be many nutrients in the soil, so when planting dig in some compost.
The RHS web site has a list of shade loving plants, there are quite a few.

Thanks. Yes, this is the problem. We do get sun on the patio area during certain parts of the day. Off to do some research on shade loving plants.

It is not perfect but I do love be having some outside space anyway