shady garden - brighten up dark gardens

With the right plant choice your garden will be made in the shade.

You may have a garden or balcony that receives very little sun, or maybe just a dark corner of the garden that you would like to look a little brighter. There are a surprisingly large number of plants that grow well in dark and even boggy areas. You don’t necessarily have to rely on flowers to create interest in a shady garden. There are so many plants with interesting foliage shapes and colours that a dark garden needn’t hinder your creative garden flair. With clever planting choices you can colour-up a gloomy garden all year round.

Tips and ideas

Many plants that tolerate shady conditions need a little extra TLC. They may be competing with tree roots and don’t have the benefit of the sun to help them grow. Make sure to feed and water your shade growing plants regularly and improve the drainage, where possible. Keep the mulch topped up in both winter and summer as this improves the quality of the soil and its ability to hold moisture.

Even the most shade-tolerant plants often benefit from a bit more light. Try and let some light in by pruning surrounding trees and shrubs to allow some rays of sun to pierce the garden. It’s a good idea to prune on a sunny day, when the trees are in full leaf you can see the results immediately.

Don’t be impatient with the growth of your shady plants as they do grow slower than sun lovers. Soon enough that gloomy patch in the garden will be your own patch of paradise.

Dark and Damp

Plant:

Ajuga

Good for: Groundcover

Plant:

Elephants ear

Good for: Large spaces

Plant:

Ferns

Good for: Foliage interest

Plant:

Foxglove

Good for: Autumn colour

Plant:

Primula

Good for: Winter colour

Plant:

Dwarf arum lily

Good for: Small gardens

Plant:

Liriope

Good for: Border plant

Plant:

Impatiens

Good for: Pots and containers

Shade

Plant:

Azalea

Good for: Flowering hedge

Plant:

Begonia

Good for: Perennial gardens

Plant:

Hydrangea

Good for: Large containers

Plant:

Hosta

Good for: Foliage interest

Plant:

Cyclamen

Good for: Under deciduous trees

Plant:

Hellebores

Good for: Under deciduous trees

Plant:

Clivia

Good for: Winter colour

Plant:

Camellia

Good for: Flowering hedge

Plant:

Spathyphillum

Good for: Planting in clumps

Plant:

Native viola

Good for: Ground-cover with flowers

Related articles:

10 Best Plants For Shady Spots