The Shady Area
The shady area in June 2010 - and the Gunnera is starting to come out in the background
This area of the garden is against a North-facing wall and is bordered by tall conifers, trees and shrubs so is in constant shade. The ground is also very wet as there is a plate of clay just beneath the surface on which the water lies. This provides an ideal environment for our Gunnera.
We planted a couple of Tree Ferns here a few years ago. These are native of New Zealand and so one needs to cover the growing crown with straw and sacking over the winter months to protect it. The last two winters ( 2009 - 2010 ) have been particularly cold and we were worried they had succombed but we were relieved to see that they have survived.
The Tree Ferns beginning to open out - July 2010
In early Summer 2011 we decided to make a start on tidying up this bed, which is rather overgrown with laurels, yew, rhodedendron and camellia with mature conifers behind. Rather than carry out a complete strip-out like we did with the Long Border, we intend to clear small sections at a time - but leave the tall conifers which lie at the back of the border and form a screen.
The North-facing border
Ivy and ground-elder cleared and a large holly bush cut down
The new shrubs safely brought back from English Woodland
The shrubs ready for planting
We chose shade-loving evergreen plants for this new area and they are above from left to right - Euonymous ( variegated ); Elaeagnus - which has a beautiful perfume; Japanese Laurel with variegated leaves; Golden Thuja conifer.
The new area planted by the side of the 'hut'
The next area cleared out ready for planting