RE: A Drab Corner of the Garden

Valerie, how large can the shrubs get -- I mean how big of pots will you be buying?

My first thoughts are: hellebores (the obvious choice), corylopsis pauciflora, sasanqua camellias, bleeding heart, corydalis, hosta, liriope, chleone, lysimachia, eupatorium 'Chocolate,' fuscia, pulmonaria, astilbe, perennial lobelia, ferns, thalictrum, heuchera -- the usual shade choices.  Having experimented a lot with shade tolerance, there are many asters (the smaller flowered ones) that seem to tolerate quite a lot, there are many short aconitums (cream and pink and blue) that will (tall ones too, but they may be too tall for your pots), even many roses and daylilies that tolerate more than you think.  Japanese anemones, some grasses, lots of dwarf hydrangea, (Mariesii has varigated foliage and blue lace cap flowers), and even asiatic lilies tolerate quite a lot of shade.  For bulbs, the usual daffodils and scilla.  Many clematis will tolerate quite a lot of shade, especially the alpina and macropetala types.  Personally, I think the vitacellas will tolerate ANYTHING, but they can also get fairly large, so you will need support.  I have many types growing on the north side of my house which get little sun and still grow well, just slowly!  Oh, also persicaria (is that what they are calling it these days) -- and probably all the better for pot culture as it tends to "travel" somewhat.  'Painter's Pallete' has green leaves with red and yellow chevrons -- very nice.  Bees balm (monarada) will grow in a lot of shade as will phystogia -- obedient plant.  I just saw a planting combo of pink Jap. anemones with purple obedient and it was stunning.

I think the probably won't be finding plants, it will the BUDGET!

-----Original Message-----
From: Valerie [v*@btinternet.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2002 10:55 AM
To: Perennials@Hort. Net
Subject: A Drab Corner of the Garden


Hello All,

The immediate area the patio doors open onto in our new home is very dreary
and drab.  The doors face east, the right hand wall faces north and the left
hand wall faces south, but gets little sun.  At the moment the area is
concrete, so containers are necessary.

I would like to make this into a 'court-yard garden' and will be putting in
a water feature.

May I ask for suggestions for climbers, perennials, shrubs and bulbs to give
all year interest, hopefully with some scented plants?

Also, but off topic, I would like to put 'before and after' photos of our
garden on line - can anyone recommend a site, please?

Valerie
North Lincolnshire, U.K.

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