Plants for a North-Facing Garden
Introduction
North-facing borders receive less sunlight than other areas of the garden, making them ideal for shade-loving plants. With careful planning, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden in this shady spot.
Best Plants for North-Facing Borders
- Winter bulbs: Snowdrops are a cheerful sight in winter, while snake’s head fritillaries are pretty native wildflowers.
- Ground cover: Lily of the valley and hostas thrive in full shade and gradually spread to form a lush carpet.
- Spring bulbs: Dog’s tooth violets are charming spring-flowering bulbs that add a touch of color to the border.
- Evergreen shrubs: Rhododendrons provide evergreen color and colorful blooms in spring.
- Deciduous climbers: Hydrangea vines are perfect for covering north-facing walls and fences.
- Moisture-loving perennials: Astilbes add color to borders with their fluffy flower plumes.
- Ferns: Ferns, such as the royal fern and shuttlecock fern, thrive in the shady conditions of north-facing borders.
- Sweet box: This evergreen shrub has sweet-smelling blooms that appear in winter.
Improving the Soil
Before planting, enrich the soil with plenty of organic matter, such as compost or manure. This will help improve drainage and provide nutrients for your plants.
Tips for Planting
- Plant towards the front of the border to take advantage of any morning sun.
- Group plants with similar growing requirements together.
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
With the right choices and a little care, you can transform your north-facing border into a beautiful and thriving part of your garden.