The dark evergreen leaves of the Mahonia provide year-round structure, while the Viburnum, Pulmonaria and Narcissus open early in the season, before deciduous trees are in leaf. The Dryopteris, Polystichum and Brunnera are well-suited to the cooler, damper conditions provided by shade.
The Pulmonaria and Brunnera provide some ground cover and will help prevent erosion of bare soil. Ground cover plants can also help to reduce moisture evaporation from the soil surface and suppress growth of unwanted seedlings. Using an organic mulch, preferably homemade compost, while the plants establish can help to provide the same benefits.
1 - Mahonia x wagneri ‘Pinnacle’ is an evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves, often with coppery tints. Dense clusters of bright yellow flowers are borne in the spring, followed by blue-black berries.
2 - Dryopteris affinis is a semi-evergreen fern forming a rosette of upright fronds, bright yellow-green when young and unfurling, later turning rich green with persistent golden scales on the stems.
3 - Viburnum carlesii ‘Aurora’ is a deciduous shrub with dark green oval leaves that are coppery when young, and rounded trusses of red buds opening to highly fragrant pale pink flowers in spring.
4 - Polystichum polyblepharum is an evergreen fern forming a ‘shuttlecock’ of spreading, glossy, dark green fronds. These provide beautiful spring and early summer interest.
5 - Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ is a herbaceous perennial with large, heart-shaped silver leaves edged and veined with green. Sprays of small bright blue flowers are produced in spring.
6 - Narcissus ‘Tête-à-tête’ is a dwarf daffodil for additional spring cheer. Each bulb reliably produces one to three flowers, forming good-sized clumps over the years.
7 - Pulmonaria ‘Diana Clare’ is a semi-evergreen perennial with narrow silver-green leaves, lightly speckled with dark green near the margins. Violet-blue flowers appear from late winter to late spring.