Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: rowe1311 on September 17, 2017, 22:46
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I am looking to see if I can grow a tree in a pot in full shade. We have an entrance way to a courtyard garden in our church that is needing some greenery to soften the brick work. This weekend we had a festival and I brought in lots of cut flowers and foliage to brighten the space which looked great, but it made me realise how lovely it would be to have a tree in that space, but I have no idea whether it is possible.
It is pretty dark and dingy. I tried growing ferns in pots but they suffered but that might have been due to neglect rather than poor conditions, but I would love something that is more upright and taller than the ferns I have grown. I would love something like a tree fern but know this is impractical as it too dry a space and far too expensive. Something that has interesting bark (like dogwood or willow), can tolerate full shade, and has nice upright structure, and copes with neglect would be great. I know am enthusiastic now, the chances are, like with all container plants I don't always give them the care they need and so it can't be too fussy.
I have added some pictures to show you the space. I am looking to grow something on the left which will get more light, and something on the right which gets less but the wall has been painted white so it is a bit brighter now.
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I have a North facing garden and needed something on my balcony that would work in pots, in shade, evergreen and ok in exposed positions as I'm high up! I went for laurel - cheap, looks after itself and tolerates shade. You could print to the shape you wanted. I got 4 good sized plants for £5 each
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I know its not a tree but bamboo can be tall, evergreen and shade tolerant.
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I love the thought of bamboo and then had a look at what its requirements are, and to grow tall it needs a little bit of light, so maybe laurel seems a safer bet.
It wouldn't be my first choice of plant but when I looked at how it can thrive on neglect it might be a winner and especially if I can shape it when it gets bigger. Are there any particular laurel plants that do well in full shade?
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You can get spotted laurel but I don't know it's requirements