Plant suggestions wanted for shady, riverside area

fortyplus

Hello all
first post here, so apologies if questions like this are routine!
I am looking for planting suggestions for a riverbank slope

We have a fairly large garden, and we have a stream/ river flowing through it. It is at a lower level than the garden (about 2.5 meters lower) so we have our very own "shaded river valley". We are in the house about 5 years, and this area has been fairly neglected up until this year but it has always been on the plans to landscape it.
So in summary we have shaded slopes down to the stream, very approx 2.5 meters at 45 degree slope (some more, some less), and generally shaded by Ash trees. There are a few ferns, but mostly ivy on the ground and general scrub.
I plan to remove some of the lower ash branches and get some more light in, but it will be overall shaded. Location is Wicklow, maybe 5km to sea, slightly elevated, limited frost, and generally a heavy, reasonably fertile soil.
Total length is about 80m, so lots of planting required and some low cost-spreading stuff is essential.

I do like the idea of giant ferns, but the price tag is a bit shocking..
Some parts might need a bit of terracing to make easy to access, but all suggestions welcome.
Thanks
Hugh

jezko

Primulas,, Masses of them...My Favourites P.vialii, P.capitata and P.Candelabra

Hostas... Foliage sear size of plants and of course the flowers


If you have the time and are near Carlow/Bunclody visit Altamont Gardens for some inspiration. Snowdrops should be in full flower now

True Hostas and Primulas are only starting to Peep up (if that) But try get Ideas to brighten your Garden all year round ...

Feelings of envy starting:-o

http://www.altamontgarden.com/Web%20Pages/information.htm

paddy147

fortyplus wrote: »

Hello all
first post here, so apologies if questions like this are routine!
I am looking for planting suggestions for a riverbank slope

We have a fairly large garden, and we have a stream/ river flowing through it. It is at a lower level than the garden (about 2.5 meters lower) so we have our very own "shaded river valley". We are in the house about 5 years, and this area has been fairly neglected up until this year but it has always been on the plans to landscape it.
So in summary we have shaded slopes down to the stream, very approx 2.5 meters at 45 degree slope (some more, some less), and generally shaded by Ash trees. There are a few ferns, but mostly ivy on the ground and general scrub.
I plan to remove some of the lower ash branches and get some more light in, but it will be overall shaded. Location is Wicklow, maybe 5km to sea, slightly elevated, limited frost, and generally a heavy, reasonably fertile soil.
Total length is about 80m, so lots of planting required and some low cost-spreading stuff is essential.

I do like the idea of giant ferns, but the price tag is a bit shocking..
Some parts might need a bit of terracing to make easy to access, but all suggestions welcome.
Thanks
Hugh

Take a trip down to Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford,Wicklow......its only down the road from you.;)

http://www.mountushergardens.ie/


Just opened back up yesterday....(March 1st)

Go for a walk along the banks of the river and have a look at the hundreads of plants and flowers that the gardeners have planted in and along side the river and ponds.


Its a beautifull place to visit and right now it will be bursting into life.:D

looksee

Oh lovely, I had one of those and it was a really nice area. Ferns, hostas, cantelabra primulas. Just beware, if there were any lesser celandine growing in the area, don't move the soil to another part of the garden, been there, done that, done the weedkilling!

rje66

Gunnera
Rheum
Ligularia

Also
a tip is to plant large groups of the same plants.rather than lots of ones and twos of lots of different plant varieties.

magicbastarder

i'd be hesitant about planting gunnera, they can be an invasive species.

do you wan to go for a woodland look, or something more open?

fortyplus

magicbastarder wrote: »

i'd be hesitant about planting gunnera, they can be an invasive species.

do you wan to go for a woodland look, or something more open?

Thanks for all the advice. As it's more a "look-at" than "be-in" area, It will be more a woodland look. There will be a large deck/ bridge over the river to enjoy the view...
Thanks

paddy147

fortyplus wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice. As it's more a "look-at" than "be-in" area, It will be more a woodland look. There will be a large deck/ bridge over the river to enjoy the view...
Thanks

Go down to Mount Usher in Ashford and look at how big and wild Gunnera gets.;):eek::D

rje66

rje66 wrote: »

Gunnera
Rheum
Ligularia

Also
a tip is to plant large groups of the same plants.rather than lots of ones and twos of lots of different plant varieties.

Also also

Rogersia pinnata