This is going to be a short on text End of Month View. My health isn’t good at the moment and I cannot be on the computer for too long, so I’m mainly posting photographs of the Long Shady Border with some brief descriptions. But mostly, I’ll let the plants do the talking 🙂
A deciduous Epimedium that I was worried I had lost. Turns out it was just taking time to emerge. I’ll know the identity once the flowers blossom.
The Damson tree had lots of blossom through the month and I am hoping the pollinated blossom means fruit to eat come late summer!
It’s still of border of two contrasts. The lusher shadier end (above) and the sparser conservatory end (below). Despite wanting to let the border grow into itself before I make further changes, I’ve come to the conclusion that a taller evergreen shrub or small tree, that doesn’t mind occasionally getting a bit wet, might be a nice addition to the conservatory end. Suggestions?
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I do hope you are feeling better soon Julieanne. Everything is looking really lush and what a statement the Acer makes. You've selected a few special plants and it really is all coming together. I'm at a loss to suggest an evergreen to fit your purpose, the only one that I've had survive similar conditions is a Photinia Red Robin (which I don't like but will live with it because it survives). The expensive blue holly, the escallonia, the pieris and a couple of long forgotten conifers, all drowned! Good luck with finding something.
Thanks Angie, me too. Yes, the Acer makes a real statement and I think really lifts the border. This is why I feel I need something down the other end to compliment it and make the border more coherent. I'm like with with Photinia, not really my kind of shrub, though it's new shoots in Spring do look good. I'll add it to the maybe list because as you say, it does survive.
Your garden is looking really good, there is something special about the garden in spring
oo there's lots to admire here – I just love those Epimedium flowers, so dainty!
I love that Acer – what a glorious colour!
What is your soil? I have just come across this, which is a new one to me – sounds as though it might suit your conditions, but it needs acid soil. What I was actually looking for was Euonymus, which will grow just about anywhere.
Sorry to hear your health's playing up at the moment – know that feeling well – hope it improves soon.
I have acid soil so I'll take a look at Leucothoe fontanesiana. It's not a shrub I know at all. Thanks for the suggestion.
You grow some of my favourite plants. The osmunda is so sculptural and I also love the delicate primulas. A lovely April garden. How about cornus for your boggy ground. Although not evergreen they do well in wet ground and the winter stem colour, especially if the sun is behind, can light up the garden.
Your garden looks great, I love your use of foliage, so many different colours and textures. Epimediums are a favourite of mine too.
If a tree or shrub is going to struggle with the conditions what about a climber on the fence? If the soil is really waterlogged you could grow it in a pot lifted off the ground a bit. You may have tried this already, I spy wires.
Hope you feel stronger again very soon.
The woodland border is looking good. You could go exotic and have a canna they like shade and don't mind wet I believe, though you would have to overwinter somewhere, or what about a tall clump of Siberian Iris with climbers behind as Jessica suggests
I didn't realise that cornus are ok with being in moist/wet ground. Hummm. It would be against the fence, but Midwinter Fire would help light up that area. Thanks Sarah, one to ponder.
Siberian Iris! I was musing on them a couple of months ago after hearing about them at a HPS talk, but then forgot. Thanks for the reminder. I do have a tiny yellow-green ivy to grow up the fence, but it's, well, tiny & will take time to have an impact. But I think another climber further down the border would also be a good idea. Mmmmm, more plants to buy, what a shame.
Your garden looks lovely with all the foliage in different colours, love the acer, and the Athyrium is new to me – lovely too. If you want a tree in your wet area you could choose a rowan, Sorbus aucuparia tolerates quite wet soil and there are many lovely varieties to choose from that don’t grow madly tall. Hope you are back in the garden soon, keep well 🙂
Sorbus is a great idea. I love them but it hadn't occurred to me that they were a possibility. I shall look into it – thanks Helene.