Clematis actually does pretty well in partial shade—I've got one thriving in a spot that only gets morning sun and stays shady the rest of the day. Just make sure you pick the right variety; some handle shade better than others. I've had good luck with 'Nelly Moser' and 'Jackmanii' in my shadier spots. They grow a bit slower without full sun, but they're still healthy and bloom nicely.
As for keeping dogs out of your garden, honestly, plants alone rarely do the trick (at least in my experience!). But here's something that worked for me step-by-step:
1. Set up a simple low barrier around the area—nothing fancy, just some decorative fencing or chicken wire temporarily.
2. Sprinkle some citrus peels or coffee grounds around the plants—dogs generally dislike these smells.
3. If your dog is particularly stubborn (mine definitely was), try mixing a bit of vinegar with water and spraying it lightly around the perimeter every few days.
Eventually, my pup got the hint and stopped trampling through my flower beds... mostly. Dogs will be dogs, after all. Hope this helps a bit!
Interesting points, but honestly, I've tried the citrus peel and coffee ground trick before, and it didn't do much for my dog. Maybe he's just weirdly immune to smells or something, but he actually seemed curious about the coffee grounds—go figure. The vinegar spray worked a bit better, but I had to reapply it constantly, especially after rain or watering the garden. Got pretty tedious after a while.
What finally worked for me was actually training rather than deterrents. I know it's not exactly a "quick fix," but hear me out. I spent about two weeks consistently redirecting him whenever he went near the garden beds—just a firm "no" and then rewarding him when he moved away. It took patience (and treats), but now he mostly stays clear without needing barriers or sprays.
Also, about clematis in shade—I've had mixed results with 'Jackmanii' in partial shade. Mine grew okay but bloomed way less than the ones I planted in full sun. Maybe your spot gets better morning sun than mine did? Either way, I'd still recommend trying to find a sunnier spot if you really want those vibrant blooms.
Anyway, just my two cents... every dog (and garden) is different, so what works for one might not work for another.
"Maybe he's just weirdly immune to smells or something, but he actually seemed curious about the coffee grounds—go figure."
Haha, sounds exactly like my dog. He practically rolled around in the coffee grounds like it was some fancy spa treatment. 😂 Totally agree on training being the real solution though—deterrents only got me so far. Also, good tip on the clematis; mine's in partial shade too and blooms are kinda meh... might need to scout out a sunnier spot next spring.
Coffee grounds never worked for me either—my dog just sniffed around like I'd sprinkled treats instead of deterrents. A quick fence (nothing fancy, just some chicken wire and stakes) ended up being my best bet. Also, about the clematis...mine struggled in partial shade too. Moved it to a sunnier spot last year and now it's thriving. Might be worth the hassle if you can find a good sunny patch.
I've had the same experience with coffee grounds—my dog thought it was snack time too, lol. Chicken wire definitely helps, but I've found burying it slightly (just 2-3 inches underground) stops determined diggers better. Also agree on the clematis...mine took off once it got full sun.
