Where can i plant shade-loving plants for a narrow side yard?

[Penelope61]

I’ve just moved into a house with a very small, narrow side yard that gets almost no direct sun. I’m not sure what to even try planting there, as everything I’ve grown before needed more light.

[Aurora26]

I did a similar thing last year. I planted a tiny bed by the fence with hostas, ferns, and heuchera. Mulched well and watered a little in the dry spell, and it stayed green most of the summer.

[Madison52]

I tried astilbe and ligularia too; they looked nice for a while but slugs chewed the leaves, and a dry spell trimmed their height.

[BrandonL]

Maybe the issue isn’t just the light. The soil is sandy and drains fast, so I added compost and mulch but I’m not sure how much that helps. Is the real problem the soil or the light?

[Camila_M]

I drifted a bit and started thinking about a birdbath I never installed, then remembered a few small pots with impatiens or cast iron plant can fill the space fast. It’s not perfect, but it buys time.