It may seem problematic, but some plants love a dry and shady spot

I have long admired one of the beds here at RHS Garden Harlow Carr. It’s not one of our big borders or the wonderous Winter Walk, although they do have a special place in my heart. No, it’s a little bed that’s in the rain shadow of a building, where it gets no special attention, and is in a very dry and shady spot for much of the day. That got me thinking about some of the most asked questions that we get from our visitors; one of them is “What can we put in an area of dry shade?” so I thought I’d mention some plants that will do well in dry shade if you have such a problem area in your own garden.

Ferns provide great structure and form. You might think of them as woodland plants but they are tough and not too fussy. The great Asplenium scolopendrium – the Hart’s tongue fern - is one such fern. It has bright green evergreen foliage, and contrasts well with other plants. Another fern that does particularly well for us is Drypoteris affinis and a particularly attractive one is Drypoteris affinis (Polydactyla group) ‘Polydactyla Mapplebeck’. This is a robust semi-evergreen fern, standing over a metre tall with wonderful arching fronds which unfurl themselves in spring; each one is forked at the end. The fronds of ferns can get a bit tatty at the end of the season so when new fronds are ready to unfold in spring, cut back the old leaves to reveal the new fresh fronds emerging like tightly-coiled springs. Watching them unfurl is fascinating!

In amongst the ferns you could add some geraniums: geranium clarkei (purple flowered group), ‘Kashmir Purple’ will punctuate a bed with splashes of purple and flower over a long period. Sometimes the foliage can get mildewy in late summer so cut it all back give it a feed and it will respond by putting on growth again and maybe even a second flush of flowers.

Epimediums are well known for being good in dry shade; some are semi evergreen. Epimedium x perralchicum frohnleiten has acid yellow flowers held up high on wiry stems. Its leaves are bronzy veined in spring and autumn and are another attractive feature of this plant; it doesn’t grow more than 35cm high. Remove any old browning foliage in early spring to tidy the plant up.

Astrantias (Hattie’s pincushion) are happy out of full sun and their soft pastel colours in pinks, purples and whites make for a pleasant addition to any mixed shady border. They require little attention and a particularly lovely one is Astrantia major ‘Roma’ which has a long flowering season -June to September - in a soft pink. Its flowers are formed in a compact head - hence its common name - with showy bracts circling it like a necklace and standing at about 50cm, great for adding height to a bed. Make sure you dead head regularly and cut back old foliage and flowers at the end of the season. As this is deciduous, it will all but disappear until the new season.

Some little Anemone blanda – wind flower - could also be used. These spring flowers are cheery, bright members of the buttercup family with white or purple daisy-like flowers. Not standing more than 15cm high, they will add an early splash of colour when everything else is just waking up.

Starting from scratch?

If you are starting from scratch with a new area, be sure to dig in lots of organic matter to the bed as the plants will need some TLC to get them going. Place all your plants out before planting so you can rearrange if you don’t like the finished appearance. Mulch with leaf mould after planting to lock in moisture and supress weed growth. Once a year in spring apply a further mulch of leaf mould or well-rotted humus to the bed. This will not only look attractive but will keep the plants happy.

Jobs for the Week

• Direct sow vegetable seed such as lettuce, chard and carrots.

• Give you lawn some attention: a programme of scarifying, spiking, and regular weed and feed applications will see it through the coming months.

• Fill any gaps in borders by sowing annuals, such as Godetia, Clarkia and Eschscholzia which will flower in 12 weeks.

With thanks to Katherine Musgrove, Horticulturist at RHS Garden Harlow Carr

DIARY DATES

5 - 6 May: Spring Plant Weekend

This hugely popular event - which includes the RHS-judged Daffodil, Tulip and Rhododendron Shows - provides inspiration for your garden at home as well as a wealth of specialist advice from growers. The weekend also sees the launch of the Harlow Carr Spring Woodland Collection in the Plant Centre. Don’t miss the Spring Plant Fair with Plant Heritage on Sunday 6 May. Normal garden admission applies.

1 – 30 May: Bath House Gallery – Ceramics & Glass Showcase

Raku, slab and thrown pottery work is on show throughout May with a wide range of glass items. Practical and decorative work will make this a must-see event. Normal garden admission.

Tuesdays in May, 11am: Harlow Carr Garden Tours

Find out more about the most northerly RHS garden on a tour with the Friends of RHS Harlow Carr every Tuesday. A donation of £2 is suggested.

As the UK’s leading gardening charity, the proceeds taken from events and tickets sales at all RHS gardens help to fund the many activities undertaken by the RHS to promote horticulture and help gardeners. For further information on all the above events please call 01423 565418.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Crag Lane (off the B6162 Otley Road), Beckwithshaw, Harrogate HG3 1QB (if using Sat Nav use postcode HG3 1UE). Gardens open every day of the year, except Christmas Day, from 9.30am until 6pm (or 4pm Nov-Feb inclusive). Last entry 1 hour before closing. RHS Members (+ 1 Family guest) Free; Prices (excluding Gift Aid): Adult: £11.50; Child 5-16: £5.750, Under 5s: Free; Family: £29. Groups (10+): £9.50 Gardens: 01423 565418. Shop and Plant Centre: 01423 724666. Bettys Café Tea Rooms 01423 505604.

RHS Membership

Join the RHS at Harlow Carr and you’ll receive many exclusive benefits including: a monthly copy of ‘The Garden’ magazine; free entry (with a family guest) to RHS Gardens: Harlow Carr, Wisley, Rosemoor and Hyde Hall; free access to over 130 RHS recommended gardens throughout the UK at selected periods; free gardening advice; privileged tickets to world famous flower shows and much more. Call for more information.