What to plant on a shady bank..help!

[sarahspatch]

Hi all
We have a slightly sloping bank under trees which is quite shady (not deep shade) and therefore dry.
I have a blank canvas which is quite scary and I need advice on plant combinations if anyone has any suggestions?
Also the main question is if its sloping do I have to plant low growing ground cover or can I grow Geraniums etc? The ground levels out at the top so want to plant here too but the slope is confusing me!!

Ant tips welcome!

[Pumpkin Becki]

I'm a bit of a fern addict, so I'd plant loads of them. You may want to put some decent compost in the planting hole first, or look for varieties that don't mind dry shade. There is a great geranium called 'Nodo Sun', which will tolerate quite deep shade. I'd also plant natives, especially primroses, wood anemones and cyclamen for the spring. Foxgloves will cope with dappled shade. Bergenia... hostas...do tell me when to stop, I could go on for hours

[vicky]

If it's under trees then spring flowers take advantage of the light before the leaves grow. Lots of bulbs, primroses etc.
Periwinkle is easy groundcover for shady places. Cranesbill geraniums and ferns would look lovely. You could experiment with any dry tolerant plant if it's just light shade - they might get a bit leggy though

[Two_Sheds]

Periwinkle was my choice. We've got a big clump up by the lotty fence, it's much prettier than just bare grass

I have hellebores & geranium phaeum (alba and the black one) in my shady patch as well as the other things people have suggested

[FionaH]

Solomans seal is lovely, have a look at this site, lots of ideas:
Solomons Seal - Planting, Propagation, Growing and Care for Solomon's Seal Plants

[Glutton4...]

I'd agree with all the above! Loads of different bulbs underneath everything, too - Bluebells, Fritilaria, Chionodoxa, Snowdrops, Daffs and Narcissi. If your soil is light they will spread and naturalise quite readily, too.

Like Becki, I can go on...

[sarahspatch]

Hi
Thanks for the replies. I'm struggling with picturing how to place the plants. I think I've chosen what I can plant but not sure how to put it together? Anyone know of any websites or good books? Been to the library but not much help.
As for the bank its only slightly sloping so I'm guessing I can plant on it as if it was level?

[Pumpkin Becki]

I like to set everything out in their pots before planting anything. Remember that fern foliage will have died down over winter, so you can scatter bulbs, hellebores and spring flowering things all through without blocking your view of them. Then put foxgloves, hollyhocks and super-tall things towards the back, but try to bring some of them forward a little bit, planting in drifts rather than blocks, it will help give you a really layered look.

Its difficult to explain. Here's a pic of my woodland garden taken earlier this year. I have 4 different varieties of fern (different heights and leaf texture), planted all over the border, even right near the front, but because they've died down, I can see all the bulbs and woodland flowers.

[sarahspatch]

Thanks for that Becki, Will be planting once my husband has laid the path and killed the weeds. Have got a few ideas now. Why is a blank canvas so daunting?