What shall I do about this shady area? Pic attached

[ShadyPot]

This area gets some sun early in the day but is mostly shady. Shall I put ferns in the pots? Any ideas for shade loving trailing plants that might grown down and cover the horrible dirty white breeze blocks?

Any suggestions or ideas welcome - thank you!

How much sun does it get in the early morning? Partial shade is 3-6 hours of full sun, so not that much. If it gets at least 3 hours, that opens up at lot more possibilities. Can you have pots on the ground or do you use the path?

If you want a trailing plant and it doesn't get 3 hours sun, ivy or nasturtiums are a good bet.

This is a good list from the RHS:
www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=100

A outside mirror? I have a outside mirror, fairy lights and a budda that look nice as a back drop to any plants. They are cheap in Home Bargins

On the 'sill' I would either put large pots or even better make a raised bed with a board round the edge and plant ivy (Hedera hibernica 'Hestor'). Grows fast, is evergreen and can be trimmed as much as you like. In between that I would plant some honeysuckle plants, make sure you get scented ones.

That should cover the wall and fence within two to three years. I love ferns would be lovely in pots all over. This is only if you are aiming for the lush green look, not the occasional pot here and there.

I agree, gofer lush green planting. Ferns, hostas, pulmonaria, banana plant etc

E.g. architecturalplants.com/plants/id/musa-basjoo

I'd try to clean up the breeze blocks and repaint, probably in a more forgiving colour. Then a trellis on the fence panel will make it look better even before it's got anything on it.

You've got some good suggestions already. I'd consider a clematis though with the caveat that it would need to be kept watered. That applies to most ferns etc too, of course.
In addition to greenery, some of the other plants in smaller pots can be moved seasonally. I'd liven it up in summer with some pots of busy Lizzies, white or red, as well as the nasturtiums mentioned.

A power washer would transform that area- all the dirt on floor tiles and green algae on walls would go in half anhour of cleaning
Is it somewhere that is viewed close too, might you sit there? Or is it glimpsed from a distance . As that would influence size of plants. A big fatshedra japonica would fill a big space, but mirror , fairy lights and some light coloured ferns would be nice close to.
I would buy some green paint and paint a trailing plant on the white wall .

Some japanese maples in pots would look lovely there.

I wouldn't use ivy - if it attaches itself to the wall, it leaves a horrible mess when you pull it off.

Thank you for all the tips and ideas - really really inspiring! The area does get some sun actually so I guess it counts as part shade. I'm going to put some trellis against the fence as per suggestion, and look into all the plant suggestions.

A hardy climbing rose could suit that fence area if you get morning sun. Would need some trellis support.

I’d paint the breeze blocks personally as well, there’s no need for them to look like that.

Absolutely no need for the breeze blocks to look like that, agree they are truly awful! I suppose I didn't want to repaint them in white because that would make them show up even more, and then gave up because I didn't know WHAT to paint them.

Climbing rose going up the planned trellis would be lovely, but does any climbing rose like a pot in the shade? There's no raised bed on that ledge, it's all concrete (yuk). So any plants will need to be in freestanding pots.

Absolutely no need for the breeze blocks to look like that, agree they are truly awful! I suppose I didn't want to repaint them in white because that would make them show up even more, and then gave up because I didn't know WHAT to paint them.

Climbing rose going up the planned trellis would be lovely, but does any climbing rose like a pot in the shade? There's no raised bed on that ledge, it's all concrete (yuk). So any plants will need to be in freestanding pots.

Whatever you plant try to make it evergreen, which will keep the whole yard tidy

I'd also say no to the ivy. Our neighbours have it all over their house and it's spreading to ours. Had a look in the spare room and it's growing into our sash window and seems to have encouraged flies to lay eggs in it - hoovered up about 30 dead ones and had about 10 on the window No idea how I'm going to get it to stop doing this.

I'd personally have that as where I put a built in BBQ I think - seems a good space for it to me! Yes to bushy ferns if not and maybe a hanging something from the fence to cover it a bit.

I think I'd paint all the walls/fences white as a starter to maximise any light you do get there

Some ideas here www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/299559812715992131/?nic_v1=1aoSupvRTlXCKYQSbemwpCFQQO78p2Ar20WxCYibYvmjr6ak%2BSUPfzIgQAkYPJNGcT

This could be a gorgeous wee zone! I hope you come back OP and update with pics.

Here is a new photo. I've realised the area gets a few hours sun so these plants might be ok. I just moved them from elsewhere.

There is a side gate to the right, so things like a built in bbq wouldn't work because they would block the access. I'm definitely going to get a trellis. Not sure about using a pressure washer to remove algae to smaller stones in the left and the floor, because they are pretty horrible anyway so once clean their true 1950s horribleness would be highlighted!

I’ve got a vinca minor, ferns and Rosa new dawn (which is climbing) on a very shady north facing wall and they are rampant!

QueenJulian would that rose grow in a pot?

I think you can grow them in pots but you’d need to keep it pruned back. I’m not sure as mine is in the ground and it’s a pretty big rose!

New Dawn is huge! I really don’t think it would work in a pot.

Take a look at this
www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=278

I love hostas in a pot. V easy to grow.
You can keep splitting each year them if they get big.

And prefer shade ime.

That looks much nicer already OP . What's the plant with the pink flowers?