Shade tolerant shrubs

[Feral Rob]

Hi All,

I am trying to develop a planting plan for a site which already has a line of mature trees (including copper beech, horse chestnut and yew) growing alongside a nearby road.

We would like to plant a line of shrubs underneath to discourage access however I am not sure which native plants would tolerate the dense shade cast by the copper beech in particular. The only shrub I can imagine growing with any success is holly.

Does anyone have any other suggestions. The site is in West Yorkshire.

All ideas welcome

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by Feral Rob

Hi All,

I am trying to develop a planting plan for a site which already has a line of mature trees (including copper beech, horse chestnut and yew) growing alongside a nearby road.

We would like to plant a line of shrubs underneath to discourage access however I am not sure which native plants would tolerate the dense shade cast by the copper beech in particular. The only shrub I can imagine growing with any success is holly.

Does anyone have any other suggestions. The site is in West Yorkshire.

All ideas welcome

Bramble

[Hedera]

Butcher's broom - ruscus grows well in shade, it's also prickly! Has small flowers and nice dark green leaves. Some euphorbias will stand shade. Ivies would make ground cover, some variegated ones look good. There is a variegated pachysandra for ground cover too. Don't know what your soil is thbough. Berberis is another idea for prickles!

[AshLee]

Elder (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) are also possibilities, and native.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Feral Rob

Hi All,

I am trying to develop a planting plan for a site which already has a line of mature trees (including copper beech, horse chestnut and yew) growing alongside a nearby road.

We would like to plant a line of shrubs underneath to discourage access however I am not sure which native plants would tolerate the dense shade cast by the copper beech in particular. The only shrub I can imagine growing with any success is holly.

Does anyone have any other suggestions. The site is in West Yorkshire.

All ideas welcome

It would help to know the aspect, - for instance are we (worst case scenario) talking about an east west road with the trees on the south side, or something a bit less challenging. Soil type would help a bit as well - West Yorks gives a fair bit of choice, though as there is Yew and Beech already established I'd guess limestone is the native rock or at least it's nearby in quantity to keep the soil neutral.

But given the above as possible moderating factors I'd work on the basis of a fairly tightly planted mixed 'hedge' that would include Yew, Holly, Elder, Beech (not copper), Blackthorn, Wayfaring Tree and native Privet. The latter two may not be hardy in Yorkshire but if the treeline provides shelter from the north and east they should be worth trying. Although this includes a number of trees, the shaded environment will keep their growth in check.

I think the trick to overall success will be using fairly well established plants -mainstem growth of over 40cm, and preparing the ground well with plenty of organic material (leaf mold ?) dug in to give the roots a good start, plus watering in dry periods in the first year. I would say that bare rooted stock would be fine so long as you don't depend on slit planting.

CM

[Feral Rob]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice provided. Basically the mature trees line a road running from north to south along the eastern edge of the site. The treeline is the boundary of an old garden and to the best of my knowledge the soil is fairly neutral, however in all honesty I'm not sure about this.

The site itself is in an urban area in Bradford. I have attached a picture of the treeline I am talking about. It is the treeline to the left of the image.



Thanks again,

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Feral Rob

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the advice provided. Basically the mature trees line a road running from north to south along the eastern edge of the site. The treeline is the boundary of an old garden and to the best of my knowledge the soil is fairly neutral, however in all honesty I'm not sure about this.

The site itself is in an urban area in Bradford. I have attached a picture of the treeline I am talking about. It is the treeline to the left of the image.

Thanks again,

A photo as they say is worth thousand ..something or another. I must admit I had envisage rather more space between the verge and the boles of the tree. The challenge isn't just the lack of light it's also the lack of root space and the competion for water. I would say my previous suggestions are looking decidely speculative and while they would form the basis for experimenting they could be the basis for a fair degree of disappointment.

My inclination would be try a small scale trial of what I'd previously suggested, but to match it with a trial of Mahonia Aquifolium - this obviously doesn't comply with the 'native plant' spec but would provide both flowers and fruit to support wildlife - it also meets the 'spikey' specification. And if the 'native' requirement isn't to be adhered to, then Hedera's suggestion of butcher's broom might also be worth a try.

Anyway, an interesting looking project - is that a stream line in the mid foreground ?

Oh I forgot about soil - almost certainly galcial deposits over coal measures giving a soil that's neutral to slightly acid.

CM

[AshLee]

I think ivy will grow OK. If you want a proper boundary you could consider growing an ivy hedge through and over a chain-link fence or similar.

[Hobjob]

Ivy and periwinkle

The other problem wiht three shade is the dryness;
If get round to it next year I'm going to lay a ground soaker hose.

[Feral Rob]

Thanks for the additional comments, glad I added the image, it does give a clearer idea of the site than my vague ramblings.

Unfortunately it isn't a stream in the foreground, but rather a path which is reverting back to a more natural state.

I'll consider the options outlined while drawing up my plans. Thanks again.