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Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

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Original poster

No sun!

30 replies

BooseysMom · 28/06/2019 18:42

I have posted previously about my horrible north facing corner where nothing much grows. I had some great ideas here so thanks to those who posted. I have gone for a climbing rose but have noticed that the area literally gets no sun all day. Will the rose even flower with no sun? It's really annoying to think that i can't grow anything there that i'd want to flower. I thought i'd go with Acer but won't that just stay green with no sun? The photos show some plants i have tried growing along the fence but aren't happy there. You can see a slither of sun across the top of the fence ..that's really all the area gets. Very grateful for any advice again

OP posts:

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Beebumble2 · 28/06/2019 22:45

Look at the RHS website for deep shade planting. Possibly plant ferns or Cranesbill geraniums.

NotMaryWhitehouse · 29/06/2019 08:44

For me, the most successful shade plants have been tiarella and astilbe. Ferns also do very well, if you're not so bothered about flowers.

autumneve · 29/06/2019 11:28

Anemones are pretty is you're happy for them to rampage (but be warned as they can go crazy once established).

I think hydrangeas like shade(?). Maybe a hydrangea petiolaris for wall cover.

Acres?

Look at wild areas where you'll see what kinds of plants naturally thrive in certain conditions.

PancakeAndKeith · 29/06/2019 13:15

The bottom of my garden is in permanent shade due to a large number of trees.

Ferns do well as does fuchsia.
Sweet woodruff is good too and Siberian bugloss does nicely too.
Mahonia is worth a try as well.

Original poster

BooseysMom · 29/06/2019 15:50

Thanks everyone for your replies. I tried a baby fern but even that died. Also tried planting wild garlic seeds but that didn't work. I think most if not all young plants need at least some sun to get started so maybe only option is established plants

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PancakeAndKeith · 29/06/2019 17:31

Ferns give not a shit. Most of mine self seed.

WellTidy · 29/06/2019 17:40

Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere is a prolific flowerer on a north facing wall, but I think it needs some sun. I think all roses do, to be honest. I have a strip of full shade, and after much deliberating, I am going for an euphorbia, ferns, foxgloves and spring bulbs. With a climbing hydrangea (which would be good for you, if you want a climber).

Hotterthanahotthing · 29/06/2019 17:53

There are some roses that don't mind shade and climbing hydrangeas,not sure why your fern failed but it will not be because of shade.Spring flowering bulbs(plant in September)Are happy in shade.
Marjoram/oregano will grow anywhere,the golden variety is a little less rampant and will give a bit of brightness.Ladys mantle similarly will grow anywhere.
Add some pots for annual flowers.
If you really want to cover the fence you could try a golden hop,it grows very quickly and will head for the light.
If things aren't growing well then perhaps the soil needs a bit of improvement or dig a big hole and fill with potting compost although this will need watering more.

Original poster

BooseysMom · 29/06/2019 20:14

Thank you so much Well, i placed my climbing rose in its pot further up the fence where the sun was this morning and timed the amount of sun it would get and concluded if i just move it further up it will get 2 hours a day. I think for the deep shady corner i will plant a climbing hydrangea. Thanks @WellTidy and @Hotterthanahotthing for that idea
WellTidy..i like your full shade plan and Hotterthanahotthing ..Thanks too for your advice. Yes the soil def needs alot of work! I've got loads to do that's for sure!

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Original poster

BooseysMom · 03/07/2019 13:55

If anyone is still out there and interested my 'no sun' situation has not bothered this gorgeous blue flower one bit!! It's a Tradescantia. Now if it would just climb up the fence! ....

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Fucksandflowers · 06/07/2019 07:39

I have an area like this and Ajuga grows and spreads really well for me there.
Lovely black purple leaves and blue spring flowers.
I'm going to get some Japanese anemone and hellebore to join it at some point

autumneve · 06/07/2019 19:23

Foxgloves love shade

Original poster

BooseysMom · 07/07/2019 07:55

@Fucksandflowers & @autumneve ... thank you for the ideas. I hadn't thought of Ajuga. I managed to kill off a hellebore once in our last house. Do they need a special soil type?
autumneve.. i didn't realise foxgloves love shade!

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Fucksandflowers · 07/07/2019 08:49

My ajuga is in dry, loose soil.
Deep shade.
I'll take a photograph later

boxlikeamarchhare · 07/07/2019 08:54

I have a very shady bit - Hellebore Christmas Carol thrives there and my hydrangeas are stunning every year.

Have you analysed your soil type? I always look at the RHS site for best growing conditions.

Original poster

BooseysMom · 07/07/2019 19:54

@boxlikeamarchhare.. thanks for your msg. Ooh that's a very good point! All i known is it's very heavy cloddy clay! Do i need one of those special testing kits?

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Myotherusernameisbetter1 · 08/07/2019 09:49

Hi I have heavy clay soil and struggled to grow anything in a shady patch under a tree in my front garden. Last year I planted a small fern type plant with pretty fluffy foliage and its thriving and flowering now. I'm not sure what its called but I'll post a pic and maybe someone can ID it. It might do well in your boarders.

Myotherusernameisbetter1 · 08/07/2019 09:54

Close up showing the foliage...

Fucksandflowers · 08/07/2019 09:56

Cerise queen yarrow.
I have it and absolutely love it!
Mine is in full sun though.
This is mine, it fell over in the rain so I've staked it upright now.

Myotherusernameisbetter1 · 08/07/2019 10:36

Fucksandflowers - thank you for IDing it, I've had a Google and you are right is does say for full sun. I absolutely love it and might divide it and plant it elsewhere when I get round to it.

Mine gets a bit of sun first thing in the morning but is mostly in shade and seems to be doing really well despite what google says!

Original poster

BooseysMom · 08/07/2019 21:22

@Myotherusernameisbetter1.. thanks for the tip about the Cerise Queen Yarrow. It looks gorgeous and good for bees too i expect?

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Fucksandflowers · 08/07/2019 21:38

All insects love it.

Even when the flowers have died the plant is still covered in hover flies, ladybirds and all sorts.

Original poster

BooseysMom · 09/07/2019 18:43

@Fucksandflowers.. thanks. My hebe Caledonia is the same. It was one of the more expensive shrubs and you can see why ..it's really pretty

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Fucksandflowers · 09/07/2019 19:25

I love hebe
Mine is flowering too but it's not as pretty as yours!

IStillMissBlockbuster · 09/07/2019 21:44

I had no idea that climbing Hydrangea were a thing! My sister would love one.

I have a north facing wall and am planning on buying an espalier or fan cherry tree like these which is apparently great for a north facing wall. They're not cheap so if you're a keen horticulturalist you could DIY.

I have planted Anenomes and some ferns too. Would love some Hellebore and this thread has taught me to move a Hydrangea into the shady spot, so must do that soon.

Didn't know foxgloves liked shade though I should've guessed after a recent walk under tree canopy full of ferns and foxgloves!

Great thread thank you ladies.

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