Inspiration for this wet and north facing spot

[Beebopwasthebest]

Wet and compacted soil, clay, flattened by water run off from the garage. North facing.
Lady's Mantle does ok and one type of iris but iI would like to try fill some gaps before the other plants come through.

My poor hellebores don't seem to like it there either :(

It a tough plot so anything that survives (thrives) and is good for wildlife is welcome

Thank you!

I would make a pond with rockery.

You could really go to town on ferns there. Maybe even a tree fern as a focal point surrounded by really lovely shuttlecock type ferns.

As it's your business end ( water butts etc) I think it might be better to non garden it. Gravel and put in pots with statement plants or trees. Then the soil and water matter less and you will control those. And it won't look as bitty maybe with the random plants/ black plastic/ wall etc

You might also have luck with Desfontainia spinosa if you want colour.

In my similar spot things that do well are astilbe, hydrangea petiolaris, ferns, brunnera and filipendula palmata.