[MalcW]

Hi all. I could do with some recommendations for what to get. I have a shady corner in the garden, between the back of the garage and the garden fence. It gets virtually no sunlight at ground level, and the soil is clay with about 6 - 8 inches of topsoil covering it. I would like to get a shrub that will be happy there; something that will grow to around 6ft or so, with ideally a spread of no more than around 5ft. Any thoughts?

[mumofstig]

Emerald N Gold Euonymus would certainly brighten the dark corner, it would take a long while to fill the space though, as it is a slow grower.

[New shoot]

There are few very tough evergreens that you could try - Aucuba, Fatsia, Mahonia if you want something decorative.  If you just want screening, Laurel is faster growing.

All can be pruned.  For the Fatsia or Mahonia, take out some of the bigger branches each year to get more growth generating from the base.  The Aucuba or Laurel can just be shaped with shears each year.

As the soil is poor, it would be worth digging a bigger hole than usual and incorporating some manure or garden compost 

[MalcW]

Thanks for the advice. I'll make a note of these and look them up. And whatever I get I'll do as you suggest and dig a well oversized hole and put some manure in. That's what I did with some rhubarb recently, and that seems happy.

[Goosegirl]

Viburnum tinus is another one to consider as it has white flowers in winter/spring and can be cut back with no problem.

[sunshineband]

I was going to suggest spotted laurel. I know New Shoot mentioned laurel, but the spotted variety really lights up a dull corner with its golden splashed leaves