New bed

[David Nicholson]

Spent a fair proportion of today tidying up and preparing a new planting area. It's about 12' (3.7m) long, and 4'6"(1.4m) wide and
roughly north facing. It's backed by a 6' (1.8m) high timber fence. There is a narrow path in front of the bed about 2' wide and the long side of my greenhouse (8') runs parallel and close up to the path. Facing the bed, to the left hand far side is a large Mahonia (species unknown) about 10' high and next to that a rather nice pink Hydrangea with flower heads the size of footballs, about 4' high which I prune (or in the view of the "power" in the house-butcher!) to keep it at that kind of maximum height. So, all in all I have gained in extra planting space an area of roughly 7' long by 4. 6" wide. With me so far?

I've turned over the soil very well to a reasonable tilth, added a lot of grit and a bag of peat to try to create a mini-woodland type format. I intend to plant a small group of candelabra Primulas to the rear of the plot, some Hepaticas; some Anemone nemorosa forms; some Corydalis and some Erythroniums but I'm open to other suggestions. Particularly I would like to have some suggestions to give the bed some summer colour too, something small growing and well behaved. The bed probably gets a bit of sun as it rises (but I never see it!!) and a bit late afternoon with the rest of the day in shade.

[Maren]

Cypripedium reginae , you'll be the envy of your neighbours. 

[David Nicholson]

Cypripedium reginae , you'll be the envy of your neighbours.

Thanks for trying Maren but I think Cyps are a plant too far for me taking into account my "slaying" skills

[Gail]

What about roscoeas?  The lovely yellow 'Kew Beauty' does well in that sort of situation but they are all good for summer interest.

[David Nicholson]

Mmmmm Roscoeas Gail? I have a small patch of of three different species that I grow in full sun but it would be fun to see how some grown in shade perform against those in full sun. Thanks for that.