Any recommendations for a new north-facing bed against my house?

[zog]

It's a small semi-circular bed which, at its deepest, is 3 ft wide (is about 5 ft long). Ideally, I'd like something quite compact but with some interest e.g. flowers, berries etc. Was looking at a Skimmia but don't know what to team it with. Amy suggestions?

[TuttiFrutti]

Periwinkle (vinca minor) for ground cover.

Heucheras and tiarellas do well in shade.

[zog]

Thanks, I'll look those up - haven't heard of either of them!

Any other ideas?

[zog]

Have looked them up & like them a lot!

I think one would look good on one side (with maybe periwinkle on the other) but I'm still after a taller, "showier" shrub for the middle.

[BoysOnToast]

ooh, i was wondering this. i have couple of mini beds/planters at the bottom of curved brick walls by front gates. north facing, so im guessing they dont get much sun. at the bottom of a hill so prone to loooots of water. oh, and clay soil (which i guess i could dig out and replace if needed)

wtf would grow there?? i was thinking something tall too...

[ZippiBabes]

aucuba..can get a variegated one too or christmas box (sarcococca)

pachysandra terminalis will grow as ground cover

chaenomoles

cyclamen coum maybe

garrya elliptica

cornus

[BoysOnToast]

which of those are tall(er) zippi?

[ZippiBabes]

garrya aucuba sarcococca cornus chaenomeles are all shrubs

[BoysOnToast]

wow zippi i just looked all those up on the bbc gardening webpages.. and they all look great - the forst one the easiest of all! thanks.
you really know your plants!

[ZippiBabes]

tis one of my pet subjects

perhaps unexpectedly given the others rofl

[BoysOnToast]

why, what else are you into?

do you know about veg growing too btw? i now have you firmly noted as the person to ask gardening questions of [novice]

[ZippiBabes]

i don't know anything about vegetables

[BoysOnToast]

bugger

[ZippiBabes]

except that as a general rule they want lots of organic material like manure dug in every year

[BoysOnToast]

yeah, i know that bit. ta

so, with these shrubs... how do i get specific shrubs then? do i just ask at the garden centre and hope they have it? or can you mail order them?

[ZippiBabes]

crocus is good site not the cheapest but shoul be quality

[BoysOnToast]

cheers. nice site

[zog]

Ooh more suggestions, thanks zippi!

[Pannacotta]

Have a look at greentfingers.com too.
Ferns are good for shade, as are Busy Lizzies, some geraniums.
Have a look here too
www.longacreplants.co.uk/

[Pannacotta]

sorry Greenfingers.com (up at 5.45 to v tired)

[PrimulaVeris]

I have a v.shady north facing bed with appalling soil - if you're after flowers:

Geraniums - brilliant, long flowering (and pretty child resistant!)

Anenome Japonica (white or pink flowers)

Primulas excellent!!!

For shrub/evergreen:

Pyracantha - white flowers in summer, berries in autumn(you can get diff varieties with diff colour berries) - but prickly and you will need to keep size in check