I'm having a tough time with my garden because I have a section that gets almost no sunlight at all. The area was previously just wood chips and a weed barrier, so the soil quality isn't great, and I believe it's alkaline. While my blueberry plant isn't doing well there, my camellia seems to be thriving. I'm really hoping to improve the soil over time and create a space that's densely planted with flowers to attract bees and other beneficial insects. I'm looking for suggestions on plants that can offer a range of heights and colors, ideally between foxgloves and daisies. I've already put in some bulbs, and I love colorful and fragrant flowers. Any ideas would be much appreciated!
3 Answers
If you're aiming for flowers, I totally recommend Geranium Orion. It's thriving in my north-facing garden, which gets almost no sun, and they flower beautifully! Geraniums are pretty adaptable in terms of soil as well. I’ve also had good luck with persicaria in similar conditions. Give these a try!
It really depends on how deep the shade actually is. Does it receive any sunlight or even diffused light through trees or nearby structures? If it’s completely dark, you might have a tougher time, but there are still options! Some of my favorites for shaded areas include Alchemilla mollis, dryopteris ferns, and Balkan cranesbill, which bees love. Nicotiana varieties like sylvestris can also handle lower light. Adding some shrubs like aucuba could brighten things up too. By the way, there’s a helpful podcast on BBC Gardener's World with Alan Titchmarsh discussing shade plants!
You might find it strange, but it's odd your blueberry isn't happy, considering they're ericaceous plants too. It makes me wonder if the spot is also quite dry. Maybe adding some humus could help. When choosing plants, think about what's causing the shade—like a deciduous tree will let in light for early bulbs, while a dense structure like a large yew won't. If you want to attract more insects, consider creating a Victorian-style stumpery with ferns and shade-loving lilies!
Interesting point! I hadn’t thought about the dryness factor. I’ll have to check on that. The stumpery idea sounds cool, too!
That sounds great! I might give the Geranium Orion a shot too, since my garden gets very little sun.