OFTEN deemed a trouble area, the ground immediately beneath the canopy of a tree has it's limitations but that needn’t mean a dry, souless desert is inevitable, writes TOM ATTWOOD.

The shade and effect an evergreen creates is extremely limiting and I’d struggle to convince even myself that there was a world of horticultural excitement awaiting you; but even here there are plants that can grow: trachystemon has outstanding perseverance and with its attractive blue flowers in March and April it will do a reasonable job.

The strains of the shady, dry conditions will conveniently put the brakes on this normally semi-rampant hardy perennial. Lysimiachia clethroides falls into the same category. A far more exciting plant visually it flowers in late summer with an elegant white flower spike that is characterised by a charming 'flick' and the leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow in autumn.

One final plant in this most testing of conditions would be members of the ornamental comfrey clan, namely symphytum with good strong cultivars such as Hidcote Pink and Hidcote Blue. These will grow where many would perish. All three are veritable bee magnets which is a fantastic bonus.

If the canopy of the tree is a deciduous one, suddenly the options become far more varied and exciting.

It still means that for periods of the summer when the tree is in full leaf water is scarce and the plants will need to tolerate that. This is where choice and selection are really important as is mulching the soil in late winter with homemade compost, well-rotted manure or soil conditioner to help trap moisture for those driest periods (yes, even in Cumbria, the rain beating down on the window as I type).

Hostas, epimedium, primulas, violas, hellebores and brunnera are some of the most common examples but there are so many other gems to consider; geranium nodosum with its delightful, small shiny leaves and rich pink and purple flowers, many of the lesser know anenomes or for some height, the towering grace of the actaea (bugbane).

The wonderfully named toad lilly (Tricyrtis) is a personal favourite, this Japanese native is reliably tough and provided you can keep the slugs at bay its September and October flowers are a total surprise and delight.

Next week: re-potting pond plants