Q How can I boost interest in this shady border?
THE Hyacinthoides PRETTY hispanica SPANISH bluebell makes a lovely display in this late spring border, but it’s a bit of a thug, with a reputation for invasiveness at the expense of our own native bluebells The difference between (Hyacinthoides the two non-scripta). species is that the English ones tend to flower on one side only, rather than all around the stem as shown here. It’s worth keeping the Spanish plants’ spread in check, in this case by taking out some of the drift and replacing them with plants for a succession of flowers in a similar colour. Blue camassias, pale lilac Geranium phaeum lividum ‘Joan Baker’ and any purple-flowered hostas would be perfect partners for this shady spot. The Spanish bluebells will flower from April to May, finishing just as the camassias come into bloom. Geranium phaeum will pick up the baton May to June, followed by the hostas (July-August). Among these lilac-blue flowers I would add in a few yellows for contrast: aquilegia ‘Yellow Queen’ (May-June) and Alchemilla mollis (June-Sept). These will pick up the yellow of the Euphorbia palustris behind. I might also add in the new white dicentra (now lamprocapnos) ‘White Gold’ for its lovely golden leaves and white, heart-shaped flowers April to June. The hosta(s) will offer a little contrast among the leaf shapes; I’d also add a deciduous fern Dryopteris wallichiana (H90cm/3ft S75cm/30in) too, whose bright green shuttlecock fronds unfurl in spring and grow on hairy, upright stems – making a bold statement even in dry shade.
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