When we moved in, the strip under the pines was bare sand with a thick brown carpet of needles. The first spring I did what everyone does: bought a tray of bright annuals and planted them in a neat row. By July they were gone.
The problem is not really the acidity people talk about. It is dry shade. Pines drink a lot, their roots sit right under the surface, and the canopy keeps most of the summer rain off the ground. Anything that needs regular moisture simply gives up.
What died
Busy lizzies, most hostas, astilbe, a lavender that I knew was a bad idea, and two hydrangeas that I kept alive with a watering can until I went on holiday.
What survived
After three seasons, this is the short list that is still there without extra watering:
- Lily of the valley — slow the first year, now spreading happily.
- Epimedium — tough as nails, lovely small flowers in April.
- Hellebores — planted at the edge where some light gets in.
- Male fern and lady fern — the lady fern sulks in August but comes back.
- Periwinkle — fills the gaps, needs cutting back once a year.
What made the difference
Two things. First, planting small: plugs and divisions settle into the root mat much better than big potted plants. Second, a bucket of compost in every planting hole and water every few days for the first month only. After that they are on their own.
If a plant is sold as "for dry shade", believe the "dry" part more than the "shade" part.
Next I want to try woodrush and a few wild strawberries along the path. I will report back.