No sun in back garden?

Question

Question for gardeners - I don't get any sun on the right hand side of my garden. I have tried loads of plants in the border but they die. Can anyone suggest plants or bushes that will survive in clay soil and that doesn't need any sun?

Answer 1

I would put some gypsum in the soil the increase drainage and give the plants a fighting chance. Also organic matter.

Plants I have found suitable in heavily shaded areas are:
Ajugas, ferns, wormwood, violets, lamium, mondo grass, acanthis mollis, cliveas and some of the more unusual bulbs like very low light conditions. If you have no frost in your area you could consider some of tropical forest floor dwellers which we often buy as indoor plants. Good luck I'm sure you will find something with trial and error.

Answer 2

Any Shade loving Plant will survive if you mound of your soil at least 18 to 24 inches before planting to allow for good drainage which clay soil doesn't allow for. The roots need to be above the soil line but be sure and cover well with good soil. We lost many really expensive plants before we learned this little trick. I now grow dwarf maples in my areas like yours and they love it.

Answer 3

try a Brazillian walking iris, they will handle dark dry spots

Try plants sold for the indoor market. They thrive off indirect light.

As to that flowering bush comment by someone else, that is pretty much crap. Most shade tolerant plants are grown for their leaf colours and have insignificant flowers, apart from a few like antherium or spathiphyllum. Its the full sun varieties that produce the most flowers

Answer 4

The muffin man has the right idea, go for a walk locally and check in other peoples gardens with a similar aspect to see what grows in your soil and position. I too cant reccomend anything when I dont know where you live.

Answer 5

Hi,go to a garden center they will give you advice.Theres loads of bushes that thrive in the shade so maybe they will grow.Goodluck

Answer 6

That depends entirely on your local climate. Without knowing humidity, how long your growing season is, temperatures, etc. it is impossible to give you an answer. Go local...talk to people at a local garden center.

Answer 7

Any variety of Hosta.

http://www.shadychoice.org/NewsLetters/2004/GardenWalkPics/Denton's%20Hostas.jpg

Answer 8

your best bet is flowering bushes they survive better than plants

Answer 9

Silk plants do well.....they don't even need watering.

Answer 10

Hostas, and they come back every year.