what flowers well on a clay soil in shade ?

Hosta's . . . thats a start any way L

Just what I was going to suggest!

Ferns, too - most of them will grow in acid soils and they go well with Hostas. There are lovely evergreen sedges (grasses) that would be happy there, too - look at Carex species, like C. morrowii 'Ice Dance' or 'Fisher's Form'.Both have pretty leaves with cream edges!

Although it wouldnt take much to improve the soil in the photo and then you could plant virtually what you wanted with reasonable success

thanks for all the advice could i plant a flowering cherry,also i would like a butterfly bush for the boys to watch the wildlife.i like the idea of ferns though to give some winter interest.

i would dig in some grit and normal soill maybe
it will give you more scope

I am sure a cherry tree would be fine as long as you puts lots of grit when planting, also Hostas love clay soil, and any shrub would be fine as long as soil is mixed with lots of grit. If you puts horse manure on top of soil at end of year, say in Oct/Nov time the worms will work it down through soil, in early spring the soil will be much lighter to work with. I have same soil and have done this for past few years and mine is fine now. good luck
Vauxhall

sorted