Rock gardens are usually associated with a sunny, dry location and magnificent carpets of flowers. However, only a few people know that such a garden can also thrive on a north-facing shady side. In fact, a whole range of rock garden plants thrive in sunny locations. However, there should be no excessive moisture here either.
How can a rock garden be designed on the north side?
A rock garden on the north side can thrive with suitable site conditions, good drainage and shade-loving plants such as ferns, wintergreen ground cover and various flowering species such as Günsel, Waldsteinia and foam blossom.
Suitable locations in northern locations
A dry, perhaps sloping location on a slope is ideal for the rock garden, even in northern locations. Here rainwater can flow downwards, but must not collect at the foot of the embankment. Good drainage, perhaps even using pipes and plenty of gravel in the substructure, is therefore essential. Furthermore, the north-facing location of the planned shade garden should not necessarily be directly in front of a house wall, because the sun actually never comes here.
The right plants for the shady rock garden
The selection of suitable plants for the rock garden is – perhaps contrary to expectations – large. Ferns such as rue (Asplenium rutamuraria) particularly thrive in full shade. This tiny little thing can be found in wall joints and between stones. The pretty striped fern (Asplenium trichomanes) doesn't need much space either. In complete contrast to the deer's tongue fern (Phylitis scolopendrium) or spotted fern (Polypodium vulgare), which grow significantly larger. The wintergreen ground cover hazelwort is also perfect for sunny locations.
Flowering plants for the shade garden
You don't have to miss out on beautiful flowers on the north side.
- Günsel (Ajuga reptans) needs a little more moisture.
- The Waldsteinia (Waldsteinia ternata) is wintergreen and produces yellow flowers.
- The foam flower (Tiarelle cordifolia) also prefers moist soil.
- The memorial egg (Omphalodes verna) is related to the forget-me-not.
- Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) often blooms at the end of February.
- The porcelain flower (Saxifraga umbrosa) is also a spring bloomer.
- Bergenias come in many varieties and different flowering times.
- The Larkspur (Corydalis lutea) is an undemanding, continuous bloomer.
- The tiny cinnamon herb (Cymbalaria muralis) spreads quickly in natural stone walls.
- The Haberlea (Haberlea rhodopensis) scores with pretty light blue flowers.
- The rock plate (Ramonda myconi) feels most comfortable in the cool shade.
- The gold droplet (Chiastophyllum oppositifolium) shows golden yellow flower clusters.
- The moss saxifrage (Saxifraga x arendsii) is also one of the typical plants for the north side.
Tip
Many herbs also thrive in shady rock gardens, such as comfrey, lovage and others. Boxwood is particularly suitable for woody plants.