Plants for a small (2 metre square) shady bed

[Hartland]

There's a small overgrown bed on our allotment, about 2 metres square, which I'd like to use as a themed "Shakespeare's Garden" bed, planting some of the plants mentioned in the plays and sonnets.

It's in partial shade, being bordered on the north by the shed, the east by a fence over which grows a lilac and a conifer, and on the south by the back of the currant bushes. No shade to the west, which has been paved over and is earmarked as a nice place to sit.

All that's growing in there at the moment are a few tulips (now lifted) and some Lady's Mantle - all the rest is weeds. So far I've dug about half of it over for the first time: the ground is pretty compacted.

Any advice?

[WendyC]

I think you might have to list a few plants which are mentioned in Shakespeare's writing. I could probably tell you whether they would like the position you are suggesting but I haven't got the time to read all the plays and sonnets myself.

[Hartland]

I think you might have to list a few plants which are mentioned in Shakespeare's writing. I could probably tell you whether they would like the position you are suggesting but I haven't got the time to read all the plays and sonnets myself.

True, and my apologies! Any of these are the plants I have in mind:

Aconitum (monkshood)
Bachelor's button
Carnation/Pink
Cowslip
Daffodil
Eglantine
Flag
Iris
Harebell
Honeysuckle
Larkspur
Marigold
Pansy
Poppy
Primrose
Rose
Rosemary
Rue
Saffron
Thyme

[WendyC]

Yes to honeysuckle, primrose and aconitum. The others like a bit more sun, so I suppose the front of your bed might be ok.

[Hartland]

Yes to honeysuckle, primrose and aconitum. The others like a bit more sun, so I suppose the front of your bed might be ok.

It's not in total shade: less than my front garden, which has daffodils and roses in it, so I'll try those as well.

[Valleyman]

Honeysuckle, Primrose, Pansy and Daffodils will all be fine in partial shade.

Iris (Specifically Japanese Iris) and Roses will also be fine providing you pick the correct cultivar. There are some especially nice north facing climbing roses you could grow up the shed if you so desired.

Thing like Carnations, marigolds and Mediterranean herbs will suffer. But as they are typically smaller plants might be okay as far away from the shed as possible at the front of the border.

[sparrow100]

If you're planting saffron for cooking with, it would be better in full sun, if it's just for the pretty flowers as late season colour they should be fine.