Shady Gardening.....what would you do???

Comment by elaine rickett on April 27, 2011 at 19:30

I would plant raspberries and gooseberries - neither of which mind shade.

Comment by Sarah Rideout on April 27, 2011 at 20:30

 I have the following in shady spots: Edibles - Ramsons, Garlic mustard, alpine strawberries, raspberries, heartsease, sorrel, plantain, comfrey, cleavers, ground ivy, nettles. I don't have them but Hosta's are apparently edible (slugs certainly think so!)

Non edibles -  Hellabores, foxgloves, honeysuckle, ferns, snowdrops, bluebells, primroses. Snakeshead frittilary in dappled shade, not sure how they'd do in full shade but very pretty!

Comment by Zoe on April 28, 2011 at 8:55

Maybe Raspberries along the back two sides as they are the tallest, & primroses, bluebells, snowdrops, alpine strawberries & frittilary around the front.  But I'mm not sure about the middle height?? As I already have gooseberry in another location.

Comment by Melinda Que_Linda on May 1, 2011 at 10:49

It will sound strange but Ive successfully grown herbaceous peonies directly under a huge, mature cherry tree for years. These were taken this morning; is as much sun as it gets. 

 

 

This is the light level it lives with most of the day. 

 

And I do  mean directly under the tree, they sit next to the trunk and a bench.

 

I have a passion flower and type 2 clematis which have now stretched their arms up into the tree canopy. I dare say they out compete the cherry for light in the early summer before the cherry really gets into the swing of things. Through judicious pruning they both flower all the way from base to canopy.  The white cherry blossom sets it all off beautifully. 

 

A deep crimson weigela, a dark pink lavatera and of course vinca major and cyclamen do well for me too. Ive spent years years rigorously digging out spring flowering allium bulbss which completely took over my shady areas. They did exceptionally well.  

 

Else where in shade I have a small collection of ferns and hostas, which I regularly divide. I do tend to hover over the hostas as every snail in the neighbourhood knows they're there. I patrol frequently to keep them in tact- everything else is problem free.  

Comment by Zoe on May 2, 2011 at 6:47

The peonies look amazing.  I can't believe that you get them to grow so spectacularly in such shade.  I guess there is hope for me yet!!

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