Many gardens have shady areas, particularly those gardens that are north or east-facing, and as gardens get smaller, gardens shaded by buildings or trees are increasingly common.

Although a shady garden means that sun-loving plants won’t thrive, many see shade and coolness as a distinct benefit and the availability of a wide range of shade-tolerant plants enables a choice of design opportunities.

On the whole, shade-loving plants tend to have either no flowers, or pale coloured flowers, which can be used to great effect in achieving a beautifully soothing and lush green design.

Caring for Shade Loving Plants

As with all plants, but especially with shade loving plants, it’s crucial to pay attention to the ‘right plant, right place’ principle. Some shade-loving plants thrive in full shade while others require light or dappled shade. Shade loving plants also tend to fall into two categories – those requiring damp soil and those tolerating dry soil.

Always check the conditions required by shade loving plants to match, as much as possible, their preferred location. Particularly when planting climbers and shrubs, don’t plant them too close to the walls to avoid the driest conditions. Areas close to a building or wall may be especially dry due to rain shadows, and areas under the shade of a tree may also be very dry due to the roots of the tree taking up much of the water in the soil.

Dry soil can be improved by incorporating well-rotted manure or compost to improve moisture retention as well as mulching the soil with a layer of bark chippings. Water all plants well before and after planting and continue to water, remembering that shaded areas can be drier than sunny areas.

For damp soils, if the area is excessively waterlogged you may need to plant in containers or raised beds for better drainage.

It may be worth considering trying to improve the light levels in a shady garden by thinning tree and shrub branches or brightening walls and fences with pale colours. In addition, using pale stones, gravel or paving slabs may also assist in reflecting light as well as adding interest to a design.

Traditionally, sunny gardens were seen as preferable to shady gardens in terms of planting, but the increased range of shade loving plants now available means that shady gardens can be just as stylish and attractive!

Our Favourites

Shade loving plants come in all shapes, sizes and styles. They also, as described above, require different locations and conditions, so it’s important to choose the right plants for your requirements. Our friendly team are always happy to advise on suitable plants for your space but we do have a few favourites that, given the right location, every shady garden should have!

Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle) – this beautiful resilient perennial is renowned for its frothy lime-green summer flowers and fan-shaped mid green leaves which retain moisture beads of water following watering or rain. Thriving in both sun and shade, as well as in dry soils, this popular slug-resistant plant is low-maintenance and can be grown almost anywhere. It’s prone to self-seeding so you’ll often get more for free!

Hosta – a fabulous perennial for moist, shady gardens which can be grown in containers or in the ground. These plants are prized for their large, colorful leaves and there are literally hundreds of varieties available so it’s very easy to become a Hosta addict! Be aware that Hostas are attractive to slugs and snails, so consider using slug and snail barriers or growing the more slug resistant varieties such as Halcyon. Our friendly staff are happy to advise about techniques for deterring slugs and snails.

Ferns – the wide range of hardy ferns available includes some that thrive in dry shade such as Dryopteris and Polystichum and others that thrive in moist shade such as Athyrium and Asplenium. Ideal for providing structural interest and different textures and for creating a lush effect. Low maintenance and relatively pest resistant.

Fatsia japonica (Castor Oil Plant) – medium sized evergreen shrub thriving in pretty much any conditions and ideal for adding bold, tropical-looking impact to the garden with its large palmate glossy green leaves. Robust, hardy and fast growing, also responds well to being pruned if it exceeds the allotted space. Available in variegated as well as all green varieties.

Heuchera – available in many different varieties with many different vibrant leaf colours. Low maintenance and easy to grow, they thrive in partial shade and the leaves provide useful colour in a shady garden all year round. Delicate flowers are attractive to pollinators.