A Shady Spot to Fill

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Jack Sparrow, Dec 29, 2018.

  1. Jack Sparrow

    Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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    Today I went back to an area I had already tried to start a couple of times before without success.
    received_2256849581241256.jpeg
    The climbing rose I planted in the spring didn't take. I think the spot is too dark for that. The sun is blocked out by the fence and the bin shed. (My apologies for the thumb in the picture). The photo was taken 3pm 27th June.

    20180627_151621.jpg
    Instead of growing sun loving summer flowers I thought I would try a shade tolerant winter jasmine. The fence should by covered by a mat of evergreen leaves and the flowers will give some winter interest. I will probably need to extend the trellis first.

    To the right of the climber (nearest the bin shed) I am thinking of growing some kind of standard bush/tree in a container.

    I was thinking about some kind of bush at the other end (the corner next to the gate). When I first moved in there a big batch of crocosmia growing there. I dug it out because it became a mess. I might just replace like for like. I know it grows well there. It would give the much needed colour in lieu of the lack of flowers on the climber.

    I would like to underplant the climber with something like brunerra Jack frost but I dont think there will be enough room. From the photo it's hard to tell where the slabs start and stop. Before I started playing about with it, that flower bed was gravelled over.

    This area has been bugging me for ages. Hopefully it won't be much longer before it starts to take shape.

    G.
     
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Well, the spot doesn't look too bad, Jack. But the actual bed looks a little narrow and taking up a a section of slabs might help.........that's if it's possible to do that.

      Shrubs for shady spots...........try........

      Climbing Hydrangea
      Daphne
      Euonymus (gold variety}
      Hollie
      Skimmia
      Witch Hazel
      Berberis
      Camellia
      Hydrangea
      Mahonia
      Hakonechioa
      Ferns
      Hellebores
       
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      • Mike Allen

        Mike Allen Total Gardener

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        Jack. Yes the spot is a PIA=pain in the A. Forget planting into the soil. Start a collection of container plants. These can be placed for a few days and moved on.
         
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        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

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          Winter jasmine is ideal there Gary. I have one here that has been a joy for a few weeks now. The evergreen foliage, if pruned after flowering to maintain density low down, will cover that fence admirably :)
          I would put bulbs in too but the area is too small for additional plants I think. :noidea:
           
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          • Jack Sparrow

            Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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            This is the view looking out from the kitchen which at the moment is very boring. I was thinking of standing a bush or tree in a container there. Possibly a standard for added height and uniformity but not necessarily so. I would like some all year round interest if possible. A lot of these plants seem to flower early and then do nothing for the rest of the year. Is there anything on the list above that can cope with all of that?

            G.
             
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            • Selleri

              Selleri Koala

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              Trees in containers can be brilliant, but they will not perform as well as in the ground. And they will need a good size container plus a lot of watering.

              That said, I have had a 180cm tall Viburnum shrub in a 50cm container for 10 years, and even though it hasn't grown much it faithfully flowers all winter and the foliage in the summer is very attractive.

              For a proper tree, something tall rather than wide might be easier to walk past. Sorbus is a humble, healthy tree with attractive shape. It flowers in early summer and has berries well into the winter. You could hand bird feeders from the branches for winter interest, and fairy lights. Sorbus also happens to be a sacred tree in Nordic mythology which will help if you get invaded by any passing Norse gods :biggrin:
               
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              • Jack Sparrow

                Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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                I like the sound of Sorbus. There seems to be several varieties. Will they grow in the container in the shade? If so I will have a wander around at some point and see what's available locally.

                G.
                 
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                • ARMANDII

                  ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                  The plastic variety can, Jack.:dunno::whistle::heehee:
                   
                • Sheal

                  Sheal Total Gardener

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                  Standard roses could be planted in the ground there Jack. The crown of the shrubs would be above fence level and in the sun which they need. Because the stems are bare you could have plants in pots at the base.
                   
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                  • silu

                    silu gardening easy...hmmm

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                    Hmm I would be pretty dubious about Sorbus being happy in a container:scratch:. They are my favourite genus of tree and the majority most certainly wouldn't flourish in any sort of container. The only variety which might be ok is the slow growing a relatively small Cashmiriana. It has pale pink blossom and huge white bunches of berries. I grow 3 of them but even these I wouldn't grow in a container. I'd go for something else, maybe look at Camellias. I have grown them quite successfully in decent sized containers.
                     
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                    • Flumpy

                      Flumpy In with the bricks!

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                      Could you build a raised bed there? Just an idea to give the plants more height ? :spinning:
                       
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                      • ARMANDII

                        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                        [​IMG]
                         
                        Last edited by a moderator: Dec 30, 2018
                      • Flumpy

                        Flumpy In with the bricks!

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                      • Selleri

                        Selleri Koala

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                        Yes, it's a bit of a gamble to see if a plant is happy in a container or not. But Sorbus is a humble tree and apparently even used as bonsai. In addition, the common varieties are inexpensive so it will not hit too hard if the tree kicks the bucket. (That sentence nearly makes sense :scratch:)

                        I'm all for giving it a try. :)

                        Here is a young one, growing in Northwest coast of Finland just waiting for the winter gales and -30 C temperatures :love30: (Link to the blog where I got the photo from- thanks)

                        [​IMG]

                        @Jack Sparrow , light levels should be fine as the foliage is likely to reach the top of the fence especially when the container gives the extra 50cm or so boost.
                         
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                        • Jack Sparrow

                          Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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                          I have read into more and there is general approval amongst gardeners. There is even a link on here dating back to 2008. It's something I'm willing to try.

                          Online I have found a nursery selling bare root Sorbus Aucuparia from £7 up to £15 with free p&p. I looked in my nearest garden centre today and they only have large trees in 12l pots for £45. I'm not prepared to pay that much.

                          If I bought one online and potted it in a large container with John Innes 3 compost, would it survive the winter. I am concerned whether the bare root plants would still be sold once winter has passed.

                          G.
                           
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