Planting and plants for Dry Shade

The new serpentine path gives more scope for planting the new serpentine borders – in dry shade. Bunny gives advice on how to plant (soaking plants, ‘cubing’ or slitting the roots so that new root hairs are encouraged, watering in and mulching) plus recommends plants she finds good for dry shade. These include Martagon lilies (Lilium martagon ‘Orange Marmalade) Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Wim’s Red’, Persicarias, certain ferns and more. Surprisingly certain hydrangeas perform well in dry conditions – the ‘hydra’ part of their name is not because they love water as is often quoted but because the seed capsules resemble cups. Bunny talks about choosing the style of planting – here she has gone for a more naturalistic style rather than blocks of planting. Even though its naturalistic planting there is still structure, a low serpentine Sarcococca hedge (S. hookeriana var ‘humilis) to add fragrans and definition during the winter months. #plantinginshade #englishgardens