Plant advice

Coz

Hi All,

We've a north facing back garden that doesn't get massive amounts of sunlight. There's can also be a harsh enough breeze as the side of the house is like a wind tunnel.

Would like to bring a bit of colour to the garden.

Can anyone recommend some bedding plants that would be best suited to these conditions?

looksee

Bedding plants are tender, annuals (they die when the weather gets cold) that are, on the whole, not suited to the situation you describe.

Rather than bedding look at some sturdy perennial plants and shrubs. You might not get a lot of flower colour - though you will get some - but with careful choice you will have colour from leaves and bark. Perennial plants are plants that last from year to year and usually spread somewhat. Sometimes they disappear over winter and grow again (herbaceous perennials).

Berginias, aka elephants ears, are happy in shade and have sprays of pink flowers in late winter and spring. The usual one tends to have lightish pink flowers but with careful choice you can find them with stronger pinks. Any of the viola/pansy family would be good - its better to regard large flowered pansies as annuals and replace them each year for best display.

Japanese anemones are very robust (some people consider them invasive, and they can be enthusiastic) but their attractive white or pink flowers really brighten up a gloomy garden. One of the best is the hardy Geranium which will grow and spread with no fuss at all. Campanulas are happy enough in shade too.

You could consider putting in a side gate to cut the wind down the side of the house. Or a panel of lattice type fencing, or a sturdy shrub in line with the wind tunnel to give other plants a bit of protection. Something like a hawthorn or berberis that doesn't mind wind, or a suitable conifer or even privet bush.

Coz

Wow!!! Thanks so much. Very comprehensive advice.

We have a side gate but living near the sea the wind tends to just whip around the place.

But a bit of a "windbreaker" is a great idea.

Thanks again.

looksee wrote: »

Bedding plants are tender, annuals (they die when the weather gets cold) that are, on the whole, not suited to the situation you describe.

Rather than bedding look at some sturdy perennial plants and shrubs. You might not get a lot of flower colour - though you will get some - but with careful choice you will have colour from leaves and bark. Perennial plants are plants that last from year to year and usually spread somewhat. Sometimes they disappear over winter and grow again (herbaceous perennials).

Berginias, aka elephants ears, are happy in shade and have sprays of pink flowers in late winter and spring. The usual one tends to have lightish pink flowers but with careful choice you can find them with stronger pinks. Any of the viola/pansy family would be good - its better to regard large flowered pansies as annuals and replace them each year for best display.

Japanese anemones are very robust (some people consider them invasive, and they can be enthusiastic) but their attractive white or pink flowers really brighten up a gloomy garden. One of the best is the hardy Geranium which will grow and spread with no fuss at all. Campanulas are happy enough in shade too.

You could consider putting in a side gate to cut the wind down the side of the house. Or a panel of lattice type fencing, or a sturdy shrub in line with the wind tunnel to give other plants a bit of protection. Something like a hawthorn or berberis that doesn't mind wind, or a suitable conifer or even privet bush.