Hardy mediterranean plants suggestions, to thrive in a south facing shadowy garden!

[laurenmay19]

Hello!
Not the most experienced gardener and would love some suggestions on plant types from the more knowledgeable amongst you all!

Looking to create this mediterranean feel in my garden, with some low maintenance planting dotted about, surrounded by gravel/flagstones.

The garden is a terrace and is south facing, so doesn't get a lot of sun. Half of it's in the shadows alot of the time. Obviously will use some better soil when planting but have found the London compacted soil in general isn't the best too!

Want to create an easy, relaxing garden that me and my 1 year old can enjoy, without the hassle of mowing grass etc.

Thank you in advance :)

South-facing is normally sunny, do you mean north-facing?

The challenge you're going to have is that a lot of Mediterranean plants need good drainage, which is the opposite of what you have with London clay. You might need to get a big bag of horticultural grit and put it into your planting holes. As well as some of the traditional Mediterranean plants like lavender, rosemary, cistus, myrtle you could also consider NZ and Australian plants like Phormium, Cordyline, Leptospermum. And grasses, just go to the garden centre and see what takes your fancy.

You mean the front of the house faces south and your back garden is at the north presumably? If your garden was south facing your garden would be in sunshine all day and the sun would be looking into your back windows.

As a north facing back garden I think you'll have challenges with a lot of mediterranean plants.

Sorry I totally meant north facing 😂
already off to a flying start.
thank you @IceandIndigo @user4750

yes I am concerned about the compacted clay soil, but thank you for your suggestion on the planting. And also on the plants 🙏

What about some raised beds instead, in a diagonal pattern down the sides to create a zig zaggy path down the middle? It would be a way around your soil issue, but you would need a lot of new soil to fill them!

Would you consider cold hardy plants like Heather bushes, and raspberries and mint?

I have a thornless Scottish blackberry and loads of strawberries that spread like mad.

I try to keep the plants I don’t have to battle to keep alive against all odds as it’s so sad when they shrivel up and die.

I would put Budleia and a compost pile in the back corner

Then put raspberries, lavender, rosemary and Heather along the wee path toward the back wall and under plant with strawberries, peas and salads of choice maybe with patches of chives, garlics and potatoes dotted about

As long as you choose cold hardy and vigorous plants you won’t have to battle to keep them alive in low light

What is it that you like about the plants in the pictures you have posted?

As PPs have pointed out, the Mediterranean look you have posted here is not the easiest thing to try and recreate in a north facing London garden.

However, I'm sure you could turn that little garden into a lovely patch for you and your DC to enjoy.

This video has some lovely ideas which could work for you.

If you want the look of grasses, as in your pictures, try sedges instead. Different family from grasses but look very similar. Anything whose name begins Carex. They are more tolerant of shade and do better in clay soils.