Companion species for Rhododendron

[Gatekeeper]

Hi All,

I would be grateful for some advice. I have a Rhododendron bush in my garden which, although it cannot be removed, I have seriously reduced in size. I've removed all the lower branches up to a height of 1.2 metres, and thinned the canopy, so that a good deal of light now reaches the ground beneath.
The area underneath the bush is partly wet on one side due to the overflow from a pond, so I would like to try to grow native woodland species (primrose, wood anemone, lesser celandine, etc) on one side and native wet woodland species on the other. Dog violets have grown well in the soil, as have flag iris. Ideally I would like a variety of flowering plants that will provide colour at least from early spring to late autumn.

Questions:

Is there any reason that primroses etc will not grow successfully?

Are there any other native plants that would grow successfully in this habitat?

Could somebody suggest some wet woodland species that would be suitable?

Thanks in advance

[artdemole]

Should be no problem with the primroses.They do favour damp places.

[artdemole]

You could try.Willow herb-wood speedwell-foxglove-bluebell yellow pimpernel-oxlip-purple loose strife-ragged robin-devils bit scabious-marsh wound wort-sneezewort-valarian.

[Gatekeeper]

Excellent, thanks artdemole

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Gatekeeper

Hi All,

I would be grateful for some advice. I have a Rhododendron bush in my garden which, although it cannot be removed, I have seriously reduced in size. I've removed all the lower branches up to a height of 1.2 metres, and thinned the canopy, so that a good deal of light now reaches the ground beneath.
The area underneath the bush is partly wet on one side due to the overflow from a pond, so I would like to try to grow native woodland species (primrose, wood anemone, lesser celandine, etc) on one side and native wet woodland species on the other. Dog violets have grown well in the soil, as have flag iris. Ideally I would like a variety of flowering plants that will provide colour at least from early spring to late autumn.

There are a lot species that could be suggested, though soil type, location and aspect (which way does the site face, is it sheltered/exposed ? etc) are all things to take into consideration. The best place to start is with two web sites:

The Postcode Plants Database - Natural History Museum
and

Natural England - Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

between them you should get a very clear idea of what is likely to work where you are, and the priorities you migh want to set depending upon what wildlife you want to attract. Unless you are in an area subject to prolonged winter cold I'd guess the biggest problem will be making choice of what not to get.

CM

[The Woodman]

How many kinds of sweet flowers grow
In an English country garden?
We'll tell you now of some that we know
Those we miss you'll surely pardon
Willow herb,wood speedwell,
Foxglove,bluebell yellow pimpernel
Oxlip, purple loose strife, ragged robin, devils bit scabious
Marsh wound wort, sneezewort,valarian
In an English country garden


Sorry, couldn't resist it.

[Gatekeeper]

Thanks Cotham Marble, those websites are brill, I've saved them to my 'favourites' , and..errr... thanks for your input too, Woodman

[artdemole]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

How many kinds of sweet flowers grow
In an English country garden?
We'll tell you now of some that we know
Those we miss you'll surely pardon
Willow herb,wood speedwell,
Foxglove,bluebell yellow pimpernel
Oxlip, purple loose strife, ragged robin, devils bit scabious
Marsh wound wort, sneezewort,valarian
In an English country garden


Sorry, couldn't resist it.

Like it..!

[Gatekeeper]

And it's a Welsh suburban garden

[Tringa]

Snake's head fritillary likes damp conditions.

Dave