What flowering perennials can I grow in a north-facing border?
Posted on Sep 01, 2009 under Best Perennials | 8 CommentsI have a border about 10 metres long that receives no sunlight at all but would like to add some colour (pref. year-round). Hardy perennials that flower would be ideal but what will survive there? I have a creeping plant with purple flowers in a similar spot that seems indestructable but I don’t know what it is so I wouldn’t know what to buy! It’s a new house and I’m fairly new to gardening.
Forget-me-nots are a periwinkle blue and bloom in clusters. they are very pretty and easy to maintain. I would also look into a Fire-witch. I cant be sure but I think they are shady lovers too.
September 1st, 2009 at 5:56 am
Forget-me-nots are a periwinkle blue and bloom in clusters. they are very pretty and easy to maintain. I would also look into a Fire-witch. I cant be sure but I think they are shady lovers too.
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September 1st, 2009 at 6:41 am
A lot would depend on your climate. Light colors show up well in shady spots. I have azaleas, turk’s cap, and thyme growing on the north side of my house.
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September 1st, 2009 at 6:55 am
Your creeper sounds like Ajuga (bugle).
There are quite a lot of things you can grow in shade.
-Hostas
- ferns
- various ivies
– Angelica
- Alchemilla
There are lots of good shrubs you could use. Aucuba (spotted laurel) has nice glossy green leaves splashed with yellow. Holly is lovely too.
A lot of evergreens such as junipers or yew (although careful with yew, it is poisonous) will grow well.
Also lily of the valley. Camellias will do ok, and the flowers are nice too. Hopefully that will give you a few ideas!
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September 1st, 2009 at 7:41 am
Go to your local greenhouse and ask someone there that is trained in plants.
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September 1st, 2009 at 8:10 am
What part of the country are you from?
Check out this guy’s web site. It’s found by clicking on "free plant tips" on the left hand side of this site: iBtraveling.com sorry, i forget his site’s name, but I’ve signed up for his newsletters and he won’t spam you. His site is filled with tons of stuff too. check him out!
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September 1st, 2009 at 8:38 am
I really need to know your growing zone to properly answer this question…as for your indestructable purple flower, that could be creeping charlie (Glechoma hederacea).. which is a very invasive weed that chokes out other plants…
a list of zone 3-5 shade perrennials: (listed by genus)
Hosta, Galium, Impatiens, Lamiastrum, Lamium, Liriope, Ajuga, Arum, Asarum, Begonia, Browallia, Brunnera, Dicentra, Epimedium, Erythronium, Osmunda, Pachysandra, Polygonatum, Uvularia, Viola,Astilbe,
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September 1st, 2009 at 8:49 am
If you like the creeper dig it up in early spring, divide it into several clumps and plant them all along the border. The creeper will grow more vigorously for being divided and will begin to fill up the border for free. As you already know it grows well in your situation you have a guaranteed, (and free), solution.
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September 1st, 2009 at 9:28 am
Michgan zone 5 shade perennials:
Brunnera / hardy forget me not
Woodland Phlox
Pulmonaria / Lungwort
Tiarella / Foamflower
Heuchera / Coralbells
Heucherella
Ferns
Hosta
Actaea / Cimicifuga
Dicentra /Bleeding Heart
Alchemilla / Lady’s Mantle
numerous groundcovers
Epimedium
Lamium
Astrantia
Ligularia, Rodgersia, and Astilbe if you have water.
Anemone
Geranium (true)
Toad-Lily
Sweet woodruff
Trillium or Virginia Bluebells /mertensia for a short time in spring
Try some plants with color in the leaves, a lot of them on this list qualify.
You dont say if the shade is open shade — like it would be if on a north side with no trees or overhang — which means no direct sun but pretty much it has light. Or deep shade. Best in deep shade is Hosta, especially the blue ones. Theres a ton of stuff. If you have great soil and a little room, consider adding some rhododendrons or an oakleaf hydrangea or viburnum or something. Check with your local garden center.
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