Talk to Felpham and Middleton gardeners

He started by explaining an area of unsuitable soil can be altered to suit plants and shrubs which have special requirements.

This may be only a small area of garden where the required shade can be provided.

This will be in three tiers, starting with a tree which provides dappled shade, then the shrubs and perennials as under-planting.

As he said, the tree is the starting point and then beneath that dappled shade can be shrubs such as vibernums, pieris and other shrubs which will give both flowers and are evergreen.

On this level can also be grown the shrubs which have special soil requirements, but make sure you get plants which will grow to a suitable height so can be shown to their best advantage '“ do your homework.

Even azaleas and rhododendrons can be grown locally in this area.

The third tier is where you can grow bulbs, wood anemones, celandines, lilies, hardy cylclamen and hardy geraniums.

The latter can be cut back hard with shears so will give a second show of flowers.

Basically, all of these are woodland plants which like some shade and moisture. Poppies, primulas, astrantas, hellebores and hostas can also grow well here.

The hostas will benefit from a pond nearby with its attendant frogs and toads to deal with the slugs.

Mr Edmondson used slides to show just how interesting and colourful what could be a dark shady area of a garden can be with a wide range of shrubs and flowers.

There are also many more exotic plants which can be used, but again it is a case of doing the homework and making sure you can provide the right conditions for them to flourish.

The hints for the month ahead were on the noticeboard.

The Rose and Spring Pea show will be held on Saturday, June 21 at the St Mary's Centre, Grassmere Close, Felpham between 1.30pm and 4.30pm.

Entries for this event and the Flower and Produce Show on August 16, at the same location, from both members and non-members will be most welcome. For further details please contact the chairman on 01243 582972.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP