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Shady evergreen perennial please?

(14 Posts)
Alexa Fri 19-Mar-21 15:58:58

I seek recommendation of evergreen perennial for underneath a crab apple tree 30ft . The tree is beside a 6 ft fence and the area beneath is so shady that even a euonymous fails to thrive.
Possibly hoping for too much .

Cherrytree59 Fri 19-Mar-21 16:18:35

We have several large green ferns, which come up every year.
They grow under a large Camila tree and also a crab apple tree.

In the the same area, we also have a Rose of Sharon ( St John's Wort) bush.
Which has lovely bright yellow flowers and seems to thrive quite well in the shade.

Cherrytree59 Fri 19-Mar-21 16:22:49

Ps it may not be shade that is the issue, but in fact the the lack of water and nutrients in the soil due to the crab apple tree.

Davida1968 Fri 19-Mar-21 16:23:42

I agree with Cherry - British fern(s) might be good. But do your research first - there are lots to choose from.

J52 Fri 19-Mar-21 16:27:04

Lamium are ground covering plants, related to nettles, but not stinging. There’s quite a variety with variegated leaves. They were one of the few things that grew under our old oak tree.

lemongrove Fri 19-Mar-21 18:30:42

Vinca Minor, hardy geraniums ( there is an evergreen one or two) ferns,hostas.

lemongrove Fri 19-Mar-21 18:31:52

Also, iris foetidissima, grows well, very hardy, evergreen.

janeainsworth Fri 19-Mar-21 18:36:55

Polygonatum (Solomon’s Seal) is lovely & should be ok.

janeainsworth Fri 19-Mar-21 18:37:42

Oh sorry it’s not evergreen. blush

Shrub Fri 19-Mar-21 18:41:20

Butchers broom or Ruscus aculeatus is unusual. www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/220446/i-Ruscus-aculeatus-i-John-Redmond-sup-(PBR)-sup/Details
I’ve never seen red berries on one though.

Alexa Sat 20-Mar-21 09:19:55

Thanks to all. I think I will try male fern which I like the look of, and perhaps one butchers broom to see how it does.
I do like the look of the dead nettles but I fear the area is too shady for any sort of nettle.

BTW, iris foetidissima, I had a lot of these self seeding including in complete shade under the crab apple. I can vouch for their hardiness. I simply disliked the nightmarish blooms so much I had them all dug out.

Nannytopsy Sat 20-Mar-21 09:23:23

Pachysandra terminal is?

Trisha57 Sat 20-Mar-21 16:35:21

Bergenia (elephants' ears)? Leaves go lovely shades of red and purple in the winter. Pink flowers in spring.

Washerwoman Fri 26-Mar-21 20:29:30

Sorry meant to post earlier and forgot.If it's ferns you're looking for I have found Bowdens Hosta and Fern nursery to be excellent to order from.Plenty of information on suitability and which are evergreen.And the slug resistant hostas really are .