Dry Shade-Part One

This is an area usually found under evergreen canopies and eaves of houses but  some deciduous trees can create a similar effect due to their surface root systems ,such as oak trees.

You can raise the area using a retainer such as railway sleepers or rocks to hold additional soil in situ, this does not affect the tree roots but you must also put a retainer around any tree trunks to stop the soil touching the base of the trees. Similarly you should protect the base of wooden fences so that they are not buried with soil which will cause them to rot.

'Don't be shy have your say - share your views'

Register for FREE if you have not already registered and then click HERE to create a NEWTOPIC and tell us about your some of your favorites?

There are hundreds of fantastic plants to consider and I am throwing in a few ideas by giving you my top 10 shrubs, my top 10 herbaceous and my top 5 climbing plants that are suitable for the difficult conditions of dry shade.

Top 10 Shrubs

Ilex aquifolium Mme Briot.  This is a favourite of mine with its fabulously wavy, prickly foliage with a creamy golden edge to each leaf.  There are many other varieties of Holly suitable for the dry shady environment.  This is not to be planted close to a wall as the roots over time are very strong.

Pachysandra terminalis Variegata.  An irregularly variegated, evergreen foliage, with a slow spreading, mat forming habit. The plant is related to Box or Buxus.  A very useful ground cover.

Mahonia  aquifolium or Oregon Grape.  There are several forms of this shrub, with their fragrant yellow, late winter flowers and great clusters of bluey purple fruits in the autumn, almost grape like, hence the name. 

A great variety to look out for is the Mahonia aquifolium Atropurpureum, with its attractive purple new growth.

Fatsia japonica or the Castor Oil Plant, capable of growing in very restricted areas.  This is related to Ivy and has glossy, large leaves, great white flowers and clusters of black fruits in the Autumn.  Very architectural.

Euonymus fortunei Silver Queen.  A fantastic form for growing at the base of a wall, it is slow to rise and then once a few years have gone by, the plant will suddenly speed up.  The smallish leaves are green, edged silver.  This makes great ground cover when it is not near support.

Hardy Fuchsia.  There are many to consider for this from Fuchsia Tom Thumb at a foot high through to Fuchsia Mrs Popple and magellanica  capable of five foot or more.  Mulch in autumn in more exposed positions.

Cotoneaster procumbens  Queen of Carpets.  This is a favourite ground hugging plant which follows contours beautifully.  Just remember it is related to a Rose and therefore needs to be under non rosaceous trees.

Leucothoe scarletta, is an acid loving, compact shrub, evergreen and very striking.Nandina or Sacred Bamboo, which is in the Berberis family.  Many keep their red fruits for a long time, and often their white flowers overlap.  A real winner for  a courtyard environment.

Hedera helix erecta, which is an unusual free standing ivy, giving an almost natural bonsai feel to its presence.  

Part two of this article will cover  the top 10 Herbaceous  and top 5 Climbers that love dry shade……