Quote:
Originally Posted by hedgehawg
I have a new build house with a tiny 20 foot by 16 foot north facing garden. I`m currently planning to convert it into a beautiful courtyard with decking, pergola and patio and have no lawn.
As I know nothing about gardening I really need some advice on the types of plants I will be able to have in my garden when its done. It doesn`t get much direct sunlight being on the north side.
I would love a climber to run up the pergola but whats the best kind and after that I`m planning on having various plants in pots around the garden but which should I go for, it seems when I look at the advice labels on plants that they all need to be in the sunshine. I really want to have lavendar and I like bamboo and grasses and I would like a little herb garden but will this work?
I basically need to know plants that thrive in the shade.
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You can find lists of shade-loving/tolerating plants. Dry shade is harder, but there are plants for it.
In the bamboo family, Fargesia and Thamnocalamus bamboos will be happy, and also are unlikely to try to take over the world. There are some really nice ones in these families. Check out a specialist mail-order seller such as Jungle Giants. I like Fargesia Juizhaigou, Fargesia rufa (a small one) and Thamnocalamus "Kew Beauty".
Climbers to try: Hydrangea petiolaris, Berberidopsis corralina, Mitraria coccinea. There are also some camellias, chaenomeles, clematis and even some climbing roses which will tolerate a northern aspect, especially if they get a little bit of sun, but you need to choose the variety carefully.
Several Chilean forest plants like Chilean Lantern Bush (Crinodendron hookeriana), Chilean holly (Desfontainea spinosa - not holly at all) like quite a lot of shade. Real holly will also do. Also things like Euonymus fortunei.
Daphne odora only needs a little sun, preferably morning sun, and is wonderfully fragrant.
Most ferns are happy in shade, you need to check the right ones.
Find some shade-loving plant lists on the web, and you'll have a lot more.
If you want lavender and most grasses, you'll just have to find that sunny spot on the far south-facing wall.