Q How can I make the most of this shady passageway?
READER Rosemary Barney (90 years young) has moved into this new groundfloor flat with an L-shaped border by way of a garden. It’s a long, thin, shady space, so any plants will have to work hard to ring the seasonal changes. Because the border is so narrow, there’s no space to graduate the height of plants from front to back. Instead, to disguise the fences, I’d go for slender dwarf conifers, such as columnar Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Arrow’ (H3-5m/10-16ft) or ‘Skyrocket’ (H3m/10ft) and shade-tolerant climbers. Attractive choices include soft pink rose ‘The Generous Gardener’ (H4m/14ft) and purple-flowering Clematis alpina (H3m/10ft S1.5m/5ft) – both can be supported and tied in to wires as they grow.
The neat geometry of this narrow space really suits a formal design, so between these eye-catching deciduous plants, pop in some neatly clipped buxus balls (or blight-free lookalike Ilex crenata), evenly spaced between the conifers to create strong evergreen rhythm. Around them I’d create a colourful matrix of shade-loving groundcover plants – remembering that white and pale pastel flowers stand out best in shade.
Easy evergreen Vinca minor alba has white flowers AprilSeptember (H20cm/8in S50cm/20in), while Geranium phaeum ‘Album’ and pink
G. cantabrigiense ‘Karmina’ offer carpets of flowers that last for ages as well as a year-round semi-evergreen presence. To build the foliage interest, go for contrasting shapes, colours and textures. Silveryleaved Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, evergreen fern Polystichum setiferum, shaggy green Hakonechloa macra and rounded Bergenia cordifolia would work a treat. Scallop-leaved heucheras could bring additional accent colour – choose from biscuitgold, scarlet, purple and black. A ribbed-leaf hosta would add a handsome flourish in your choice of blue, cream, yellow or green (slugs notwithstanding). To ring the seasonal changes, underplant with a few earlyspring-flowering snowdrops, dwarf narcissus and Anemone nemorosa and A. blanda – all will bloom in shade. Finally pop a host of tulips in containers against the sunny house wall opposite. ✿ ● Do your borders need Ian’s help? ‘Green Apples’ Email us at garden.answers@bauermedia.co.uk