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slab planting

• Message 1. 

  Posted by keithwood57 (U14915569) on Tuesday, 21st June 2011

  Hi
  My parish priest asked me, as I do the church garden, if I would put containers on his rather large patio.
  I am unhappy with this. I feel that ecologically it is unsound as they would have to be to be watered, so I suggested lifting half a dozen slabs and planting in the holes thus created. This would also have the advantage of allowing rain water to get back to the water table.
  Unfortunately I am really at a loss as to what to plant there.
  it is very dark - north facing and against the church wall.
  I would be glad of any suggestions folks have to offer.
  Thanks,
  Keith

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• Message 2

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  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Tuesday, 21st June 2011

  You might find a skeleton underneath.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Tuesday, 21st June 2011

  Bonemeal??

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• Message 4

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  Posted by tattiebogle (U11728394) on Wednesday, 22nd June 2011

  Hi Keith, we have a dark and damp corner in our garden, I've just been out to see what is growing there that might give you ideas.
  
  There is a rhododendron which grows with no direct sunlight at all - maybe some of the smaller azaleas would do?
  
  Ferns are an obvious choice. Maidenhair fern has very light airy leaves.
  
  We have Lady's Mantle, astilbe, bluebells. Daffodils for the spring - they will flower later than others.
  
  Do you want colour for the summer? Bedding plants like Busy Lizzies and Begonias will do OK in shade.
  
  Hope this helps.
  
  

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Wednesday, 22nd June 2011

  If the slabs are well laid the ground underneath is likely to be awful for plants and full of rubble, sand, cement and maybe drains and more.
  
  Pots are not ecologically disastrous. If you choose plants which like teh conditions and do well you'll soon find them providing shelter and possibly nectar to help sustain and shelter a range of wildlife.
  
  

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  Posted by Ginglygangly (U14874813) on Wednesday, 22nd June 2011

  Assuming you could dig down a bit and add in some good topsoil and compost, in addition to the other recommendations, how about epimediums (not sure I've spelt that right). They grow in shade, have little white/yellow flowers in spring, glossy green leaves most of the year and some varieties have lovely autumn colour. Low growing tough plants. Lamium is also a ground covering shade-loving plant - there are several varieties. I have one with silver markings on green leaves, mauve flowers in spring/early summer and another with gold markings on the leaves. Again low growing (so practical for the site) and bees love it. Pulmonaria (lungwort) would also grow there. Some heucheras might be able to cope - I think the lighter colours actually prefer shade. Ajuga (bugle) should also cope. Most of your options will rely on exciting foliage for impact rather than glamorous flowers but if you choose two or three plants and repeat plant them in the gaps, could look pretty smart and these plants will pretty much look after themselves. Good luck

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• Message 7

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  Posted by Sue Hall (U13984403) on Thursday, 23rd June 2011

  Hi Keith - in addition to the great suggestions here, I could also add skimmia- great winter-time flowers and nice green foliage, and a nice gold eunonymous which will also grow up against a wall too.
  
  I also have hostas in a shady area, but they are in pots which I know you aren't keen on but I hardly ever need towater them, they are tough as old boots and keep nicely compact because of the restricted growing conditions; all in all they are relatively enviro-friendly!
  
  Thinking about it, one advantage of growing things in pots is that you will at least have some control over the growing environment, as others have said the soil conditions may be quite harsh otherwise.

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