In article ,
Trevor wrote:
"Jaques d'Alltrades" wrote in message
. ok...
The message . com
from "Uncle-C" contains these words:

Hi there ! I'm sure this old chesnut has made a previous appearance !!
I need to cover or at least partially fill a shaded area underneath my
Yew tree. I have had very little success over the last growing season
so was wanting to ask what would be the best thing to plant.

AFAIK nothing will grow well under yew - not even bulbs.

Wouldn't Cyclamen (coum and hederifolium) grow there?

Probably not, but they are among the best bets. They WILL usually
grow under conifers, but yew leaves are more toxic and the shade
(and rain shadow) is often deeper.

It would be worth trying them - if they did establish, they would
spread quite well (given the total lack of competition). I grow
my H. coum in a location where it gets c. 0.2" of rain per annum,
and it is VERY happy. Of course, capillary action and condensation
mean that the soil is damp enough for growth except in dry summer
periods.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.