Ideas for a north facing, shady border

[janetsflower]

I have a long shallow border at the front of my house which is north facing, shady and often catches the wind. It runs beneath my ground floor windows and so i would appreciate ideas for what to plant there please - obvioulsy nothing too huge because i don't want to block my windows off entirely but things with colour and/or scent would be great - at the moment it contains some london pride, heucheras, hostas, a small laurel and lots of weeds!! THanks

[whiffey]

I have areas of the garden which are mainly shady after mid-morning, and I've planted Astilbes and berberis. Astilbes like soil to be permanently moist, so I keep them watered and they are doing very well, alternate white / red plants, a beautiful sight. The berberis has the added advantage of being prickly and deterring foxes from digging.

I got these plants from a huge local garden centre of very high repute, in a section marked "Plants for shady areas"

Hostas should do alright too.

Judging what is already thriving in another deeply shaded part of my garden under a cherry tree, where the soil is also quite dry, ferns much admired by the neighbours, a spirea (surprisingly), and aquilegias, the last so well that I can't get rid of them.

[lafrancaise]

Bizzy Lizzies like shade and will really liven the house up. For more permanent plants; fuschias also like shade

[Thunderbird+]

How about some ferns ? no flowers but nice attractive architectral fronds, there are so many to choose from, the male fern (Dryopteris felix-mas) is a popular and easy to grow one, or maybe one of the japanese species like Athyrum otophorum which has beautifully coloured Gold/bronze foliage.
They could also be underplanted with something like violas or lily of the valley for extra interest.
Good Luck Tbird+

[janetsflower]

Thanks for the answers - I have a fushia round the back that could do with moving as its crowded out and also fair few ferns in pots which could do with releasing so thats wha i shall do. Great ideas and even better that i have some of the things you suggest so its not gonna cost me anything. Cheers guys!!