Brightening up a dark corner

This planting design project was in the corner of a small Penge garden that had been cleared of a large laurel but remained dry and partly shaded. New planting is made up of tough plants best able to cope with these conditions, but also takes inspiration for the owners love of colour..

The garden is overlooked by the main kitchen window, so at the centre we chose a witch hazel (Hamamelis intermedia) that will have bright orange flowers to look out on in winter. Under-planting is chosen to add interest through the rest of the year, with lots of colourful foliage plants (heuchera, athyrium, epimediums) and woodland flowers (pulmonaria, geraniums, astrantia).

Even when planting tough plants, it is important to improve growing conditions as much as possible in order for them to survive and thrive. I weeded the soil, forked in lots of soil improver and installed a seep hose attached to an outside tap, to ensure the soil doesnt dry out in the first year while plants become established..

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