PLANTS FOR SHADE

Every garden that has a shaded spot needs some shade plants, some gardens are almost entirely in shade for a large part of the day. Shade can be because of buildings, trees or terrain and shaded areas may be dry or wet. When selecting garden plants for shade first determine the amount of shade and soil conditions (wet or dry). Shade area beneath trees is often dry so consider this when looking for shade plants.

Plants for dry shade

Plants for dry shade are great for planting beneath large trees in the garden. Plants that will grow in the dry shaded areas next to buildings are also much in demand.

  • Clivia
  • Bergenia cordifolia
  • Epimedium
    One of our best shade plants, they cope with dry conditions, are great ground cover plants and have interesting flowers as well.
  • Cyclamen
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Hellebore
    Well known for the ability to thrive in dry shade hellebores also provide some great flowers in the colder months.
  • Ferns (Dryopteris, Polystichum, Woodwardia)
  • Brunnera
  • Heuchera
  • Daphne
  • Saruma

Plants for wet or damp shade

Plants for wet or damp shaded areas are required for shaded positions near waterways or other damp areas.

  • Pacysandra
  • Hostas
  • Itea
  • Skimmia japonica
  • Ranunculus (ficaria, acris)
  • Trollius europaeus
  • Ligularia
  • Astilbe
  • Corydalis
    Try corydalis elata in a damp shaded position, the lovely blue flowers are a real highlight and it copes with dry conditions as well.
  • Rodgersia (part shade)
  • Gunnera manicata (part shade)

Plants for part shade

These are the versatile ones such as Aucuba japonica. They add color and life to many parts of the garden. Brunnera macrophylla is one plant that copes in dry or damp shade.