Help choosing plants for under a tree please

[Jardack]

Hello all

Hope I am posting in the right place, apologies if not.

Wonder if anyone can help me, I am looking to replant under my apple tree and would love some suggestions as am a complete novice!

Obviously it is shady for most of the year, I have some spring bulbs in but the rest of the year it has gone to weeds (despite trying planting wildflower seeds - none of which took )

Would like something that gives ground cover to keep the weeds out. but also with interest all year round and possibly some colour to brighten up that end of the garden

I might put a shed at the far end of the garden under the tree so will only need to plant in front of it if I do (although I'm not sure under the tree is the best place for a shed unless I get a plastic one)

Would ferns grow there? OR grasses of some kind? I have been searching on crocus but would like personal recommendations if anyone has a similar spot.

Thank you muchly

Jardack

Pic here but it is a bit far away sorry

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[Shrubrose]

Hi Jardack,

A few ideas that you could think about -

cyclamen - lovely colour in winter/spring, blue bells, primrose, primula, viola, fritillaria,
helebore.

I'll have a think and come back later.

[weedorcas]

One of my favourites for this situation is the Epimedium, which has beautiful colouring on its new leaves, as well as dainty flowers. Alchemilla mollis, Lamiums, Ajuga and some of the hardy geraniums will do well there too. I grow Geranium macrorrhizum with great success. If you have room, foxgloves are lovely, as are Forget-me-nots.

[Jardack]

Thanks Shrubrose

I already have a couple of the ones you suggested, but have looked up the cyclamen and fritillaria and they both look really pretty so have added them to my list

I thought the hellebore were poisonous? I have two little girls so had avoided them as seemed easier than trying to keep them away from the plants (the forbidden is so tempting at their age!)

Jardack

[Jardack]

Thanks Weedorcas

More good ideas there, have added the epimedium to my list as that is really pretty, will get some more foxgloves too, although I think I did have some last year....

Jardack

[Shrubrose]

Hi jardack,

Hadn't considered the danger of poisonous plants to children. Apols. Take care with foxglove as this too is toxic. You could also try any of the campanula - lovely range of plants with beautiful, delicate flowers.

[skarloey]

Can I just say that you seem to have something very beautiful already growing under there!!! ;D

[nightowl]

Hi Jardack. I know that Dicentras and Astilbes don't mind the shade. You'd have to check them out for poisonousness ( is that a word?) though.

And have you thought about growing some Clematis up the trees? They like their roots cool and shaded, but it might be a bit dry.

[Jardack]

Thanks all

Shrubrose - no worries re the poisonousness of the plants, I hadn't said anything and it wasn't till I looked the plants up I thought about it. Will make a note re the foxglove and probably take it off my list. I like the campanula too, that is really pretty so is now added to my short list!

Skarloey - thank you, she is growing nicely

Nightowl - thank you I like the Dicentras so have added that to my short list. Tempted with the clematis but with grape vine already growing through the tree I am worried that too much will be taken from the soil IYSWIM. Although am tempted to get another one for this end of the garden now!!

Jardack

[Shrubrose]

If it is a shaded area (and it looks it), I think a white theme would be stunning jardack. Would really catch the eye. Possibly interspersed with another colour theme, a pale pink, or pale yellow?

It looks like a good sized garden. Have you got plans to do more? That apple tree looks wonderful.

[Pip]

I thinik that one or two Hostas would look lovely there as well. There are some lovely varieties these days.

Be careful of the Slugs though.

Pip

[Jardack]

Thanks Shrubrose

Have decided on the white theme now, have a nice shortlist of plants and will make sure the shade lovers go in the right place with the partial shade lovers at the front (she says...! )

I have a white tree thing in front of the apple tree (not sure on the name) and then the buddliea next to that with some white and purple osteospermums so might add a little bright purple in if I can find anything.

I have lots of plans for the garden, just trying out ideas as it is the first time I've been into gardening. Currently have a rockery and a veg patch so am getting there...

Jardack

[Jardack]

Hi Pip

Good idea re the hosta, there is a blue one in the crocus site I have been eyeing up for a while now... might have to get one, although am tempted to put it in a big pot elsewhere so that the slugs can't get it

Jardack

[4pygmies]

Have a look at Tiarella too, if you like white flowers - called the Foamflower. It's a lovely plant. Or the herb Woodruff (Asperula or Galium odorata), also white flowers and very pretty leaves. If you don't mind adding a bit of light blue - Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) grows very well in shade too and is a very reliable and easy perennial plant.

[nightowl]

I've got a white Polemonium. Or at least, I did have, don't remember seeing it lately

At least it proves you can get one!

[4pygmies]

Oh, and I forgot to suggest White Comfrey - I always try and get a mention of Comfrey in somewhere - wonderful plant and sooo good for the compost!

[beanie]

i have geranium biokovo growing in a very dry shady spot. it spreads very well.

[Jardack]

Thanks guys

Have added the Tiarella that is really pretty

Not sure on the polemonium, the geranium or the comfrey as the crocus site says comfrey and geranium are poisonous.

Getting a good shortlist now - will have to start designing it properly

/jardack

[beanie]

hi, i've had lots of geraniums and never had any problems with them. I did check on the poisonous plants list and the came up with geraniums( pelargoniums) which can give you mild dermatitis reaction for a short period of time. the only plants i have had a reaction to in my garden have been euphorbia and i also get a rash when i clip the leylandii hedge

[Jardack]

Thanks Beanie

I am not too worried about me, but both girls suffer with excema and would rather not make it any worse than it already is

I have such a long short list already its going to be really hard to cut it down

Jardack

[beanie]

hi jardak, this site may be useful to you, it gives a good list of plants that have poisons and irritants in them

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0606/irritation.asp

[Jardack]

Thanks Beanie

That is a really good site, will pass it onto my mum too

Off to make sure none of my plants are on that list now...

Jardack