Looking for a tall perennial flowing plant for shady acidic clay soil area....!

[northepaul]

Hi all
Hoping you might be able to suggest a solution to a problem I can find the answer too.
I am looking for a tall perennial flowering plant to cover up my fence at the bottom of the garden, or at least draw the eye away a bit. The problem is the ground is clay-like and acidic, and its quite shady. I have been doing loads of internet research but cant find something that does both (ie doesnt mind shade AND acidic soil)
Any ideas VERY welcome!!

Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

this might be a good starting point: Shade Loving Plants - Make the most out of your problem areas in the garden.

[organic]

What about jerusalem artichokes?

According to the book I have here...

"Jerusalem artichokes are unfussy about soil, but the best, fattest tubers will grow in a rich soil."

If you're not after them for tubers they might be worth a try. I dunno how well they tolerate shade but they do flower... though maybe not the kind of flowering you're after as it'd all be up top.

More ornamental things aren't my strong point.

[Jeanied]

Sounds like just the right spot for a blue climbing hydrangea, Northepaul! Or a white one.

[Two_Sheds]

What about jerusalem artichokes?

You'd have to really love them to put them in your garden, because you're never rid of them.

the flowers are quite pretty, like a small, yellow sunflower (which is what they are)

[HeyWayne]

Foxgloves? Seem to do okay in may garden and I'm clay. Not sure what the acidity is like, and it's not full sun either.

[organic]

Aye, you'd have to work hard to get rid, that's for sure. Probably not as hard as getting rid of ivy around a fence though. Someone planted some near here and so far it's taken over the back fences of about 6 gardens and completely englufed an apple tree (the owner of the tree "likes" it covered in viy - he doesn't seem to realise it's killing the tree and the whole lot will become unsafe some time soon).

Agreed about the pretty flowers. When I took over my plot a fair few were in flower so I cut some for my girlfriend and some for my mum. Lovely things.

[northepaul]

Thank you all for the advice, its given me a few ideas

this might be a good starting point: Shade Loving Plants - Make the most out of your problem areas in the garden.

Thats a great link, thanks TS. I liked the look of several and will do some more thorough research

What about jerusalem artichokes?

According to the book I have here...

"Jerusalem artichokes are unfussy about soil, but the best, fattest tubers will grow in a rich soil."

If you're not after them for tubers they might be worth a try. I dunno how well they tolerate shade but they do flower... though maybe not the kind of flowering you're after as it'd all be up top.

More ornamental things aren't my strong point.

I have them at the back of my potato bed already, but thanks anyway Organic. The other problem is that some of my raspberries are there, so dont want to have to dig up the soil every year.

Sounds like just the right spot for a blue climbing hydrangea, Northepaul! Or a white one.

Yes loved the look of them, thanks, Jeanie, and will definately look into them.

Foxgloves? Seem to do okay in may garden and I'm clay. Not sure what the acidity is like, and it's not full sun either.

Thanks Wayne, but I have a personal problem with foxgloves, (ie I ate some when I was little and nearly died) They were actually out the front of the house when we moved in, but I pulled them all up.


From looking up all your smashing ideas, I was thinking of maybe a virgina creeper:

"This best-known climber is also known as the easiest to grow. It will accept any type of soil, although they do have a slight preference for acidic soil. They can be planted in full sun, half-shade as well as deep shade, although you will get the best result if you place a single plant against a wall which is not north facing. Within a few years the Virginia creeper will have covered the entire wall like a fan. "


I have always admired them...

and/Or possibly a honeysuckle...?
Any recommendations from grapes on these?

Or as Jeanie said, a climbing hydrangea.

Any opinions?

[tamsin]

You could put it in a big pot, then you'd have a wider variety to pick from

[organic]

Sounds like you're going down a different route, but just so you know, I wasn't suggesting the artichokes for their crop. I was suggesting to just plant them and forget them. No digging needed that way.

That said, I'd probably be more inclined to go with some of the other suggestions anyway. Honeysuckle is a really pretty one.