New Gardener, New Bed

Hi everyone,

New to the forum and new to gardening.

My first challenge is a slightly raised rectangular bed that is against the front (north facing) wall of the house and in complete shade all of the time.

Plan this weekend is to turn over all of the soil and get out any big stones etc, the area was planted before but was extremely overgrown, we took everything out, done a large area with turf, sectioned this bit off with sleepers for planting.

I would really appreciate any advice on anything I should do in preparation for planting (the bed has been empty for 18 months) and ideas for planting, I would ideally like some colour all year round.

Thank you in advance,

L

 

Welcome linz.....nice to have you here with us
Shade? This can have some absolutely stunning plants there for all year round colour but first things first, do a ph soil test. This will tell you how acid or alkaline your soil is and determines what you can and cannot grow.
What sort of soil do you have? Does it drain well or is it wet most of the time?
Getting some goodness in your soil is important too before any planting takes place.
So, total shade? No sun at all?
Enjoy preparing and planting your garden linz

 

Hi Verdun,

100% no sun ever. We've been in the house 13 years so I can say that with my hand on my heart. I'll get a PH tester ordered now, it's a pretty damp area, but we did fit proper drainage pipes etc when we did the retaining walls etc.

 

Hiya....welcome to GC.

I used to have a north facing garden which was on the small side so alot of it didn't get much sun and some didn't get any at all.

I found spring bulbs iris reticulata and a daffodil called Spring Dawn did well in compete shade as did daffodil tete a tete so they will give you spring colour.

Ferns are good for shade. You could try dryopteris wallichiana which did well for me.

Epimediums are good too. I found that plants with white flowers really brighten up a shady bed.

I've ordered from this site before and had some lovely plants delivered. It will also give you some ideas.

Long Acre Plants

 

Welcome to the forum @LinzJ13 !

@Fern4 is offering wonderful advice. I have always loved ferns and have been nursing a couple under my snow cloud tree for over 5 years. One of these days, Ill get the lovely fronds I so often see pictured

 

Thank you so much for the replies.

@Fern4 I will have a look at that website over lunch today.

 

Linz, get the ph test done and we can provide loads of suggestions for you
(You can have sumptuous planting there)

 

PH tester thingymebob should be delivered today.

 

Here we go.

(First attempt at a photo on here!)