Help for shade

11 years ago

I need some advice

. I have recently moved into a house and the yard is a blank slate. I have grass with a lot of weeds in it, this is not a concern, just for information. I also have a fair amount of clay in my soil. My driveway runs along the north side of my house and between the driveway and the house I get no sun, this area is just very patchy and weedy and I would love to plant something there to make it look prettier. The other side of the driveway is a fairly steep slope between 4 and 5 feet. now the slope gets 3 to 4 hours of sun a day, I have ideas and plans for the slope but against the house I am really stumped. I am several growing zones out of my element and anything I have though of would be very problematic for my current growing zone. I will include a picture so you can see the area which i need the help with, and thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions.

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Comments (5)

PRO
Yardvaark
11 years ago
Do you expect to use the driveway for vehicle? If so, there is not adequate space to plant shrubs. You don't say what zone and where located.
Chris Cousineau
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Oh sorry I am in zone 6 and in Bristol Tn, I do use the driveway but rarely pull very forward there. I know I can't do any kinda shrubs there but was thinking maybe some kind of a ground cover. I could also do containers there, I am just not sure what besides ferns will live with no sun at all. This shows the other side of the drive way and where it is shaded is like that all day long.
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PRO
Yardvaark
11 years ago
Wow ... that's some grading arrangement! :-)

For some groundcover that loves that kind of condition, consider lily of the valley. It spreads into a thick mass. Great smelling when it flowers, thick and green all summer and gone (out of the way) during the winter.
Chris Cousineau
Original Author
11 years ago
Ohhhh I didn't even think of those.And you should see the slope on the other side of my yard. I have a total blank slate here, and am making lots of plans, it will take years to accomplish everything I want to do! I love Lily of the Valley too, those would actually be very nice there! Thank you great idea.
User
11 years ago
For the house side: Google image: narrow driveway raised bed.
A long stretch of raised bed (wood or pavers) with tall plants or trellises or a series of raised boxes working around the windows. Hostas, indian pinks, climbing hydrangea. In such a narrow space, simple would be most beautiful.
More inspiration: https://www.pinterest.com/lspswr/side-yard-gardening/