Bog garden question

[Tursiops2]

You're welcome. Let us know how it develops.

T2

[King Edward]

You could just try not mowing the shaded grassy area at all, to create rougher, more tussocky vegetation. Although, you'd probably have to weed out e.g. invading brambles/nettles to stop it getting completely overgrown. Since it's shaded, the grass probably isn't going to be as vigorous there as in the sun.

I think several of the species Tursiops2 mentioned would struggle if just planted into the grass - it doesn't look quite shady enough for the more woodland interior plants like Lungwort unless you were going to keep them weeded. Perhaps they could go further back in deeper shade. Pendulous Sedge should do well, although it does spread itself around quite a bit from seed. Some bulbs could do well, although probably they'd need the grass cut more often.

In the long grass area in front of the pond, it would be worth introducing more meadow type flowers, e.g. Knapweed, Ox-eye Daisy, Vetches, Meadow Crane's-bill etc. It might also be quite nice to extend that to the right of the path to have the short-mown path towards the pond & compost heap with long flowery areas either side.

[Kayleigh]

Looking at the picture I would plant a gunnera manicata they are massive and spectacular and would look fantastic next to your pond.
They will need covering in the winter as they are not frost hardy and go mushy if the frost gets at them.
Have a "google images"

As others have said there are not that many plants that like damp shade but hosta's and ferns love it I cant think of any more but the book recommended is a good one..

[King Edward]

A giant Gunnera would be completely out of place and would probably look ridiculous next to the pond. Not a suitable choice.

[Billabong Karen]

I have ordered Beth Chatto's The Shady Garden, in the hope that this will give me a few more clues... It is a difficulty area to know what to do with! Not mowing at all leaves it all a horrible mess, though some bushes (elderberry etc) seem to be growing in naturally.

The brilliant thing is though that animals / birds seem to love it. I have bats (pipistrelles) roosting in the big trees, who come down in the evening to hunt over the pond - I love watching them dip down to drink while in flight! Never knew they did that...