Plants for shade?

[BobbiBabbler]

I'm not a natural gardener and got confused when i googled this as there's so many options and latin names. I have a shady patch under a lobelia tree where nothing seems to grow, id like to put something there, preferably a small shrub that will fill the space up and with small pretty flowers. Can anyone suggest something?

I have epimedium x rubrum in dry shade. It has very tiny sprays of flowers right now. Looks very pretty to me, but some may find the flowers too minuscule; have a look online at photos. Maybe you can have the epimedium weaving through some other plants.

I looked up lobelia trees, they look very exotic! The epimedium has kind of a woodland look, so you might want to think about what plants will match the tree.

Lamium Florentium, or yellow deadnettle, grows very well in shade. Most of the dead nettle varieties would suit, but the Floentium has yellow flowers and silvery leaves, so would brighten up the shade.
It’s very easy to grow, grows and spreads quickly and tolerates dry situations.

Alchemilla mollis, Euphorbia, Hellebore are all pretty good in shade.

Or Skimmia which has flowers followed by berries and is evergreen.

We’ve got a shady bed. We’ve tried to embrace it but some things have done better than others!

Camelia and pampas have done well but may be too tall for you?

Another yes for hellebore. Periwinkle; good ground cover and pretty flowers. Iris have also done well. A dwarf phytopia(sp) ‘red robin’ has also done well.

Check out the shady characters thread!:

here

Hellebores & Iris work well

Have a look at www.plantsforshade.co.uk - I had a delivery
from them last week; I’m pleased with the plants and the service.

Look at Claire Austin, she is the daughter of David Austin, she has a section, just order from her, they are excellent my gardener was very impressed by her and quality is good.

I love the shady characters thread, GingerKitCat!

Also try heucherella, maybe in two contrasting leaf colours

Thank you! I am not sure about berries appearing, I've got very curious toddler twins and can imagine they might eat them! Ill check out that thread and site and your other suggestions, thank you.

Dicentra