Shade Loving Plants - Make the most out of your problem areas in the garden.

Shade Loving Plants

Almost everyone has a bit of shade in the garden, this could be shade cast by buildings, trees, fencing or simply the positioning of your garden but don't see this as a problem, there are a wide range of trees, shrubs and plants available that will do very well in this mostly overlooked area.

It may help you to draw a sunlight map to discover the shaded areas of your garden before you do any planting to assist you in your final design. Where this is not possible however due to an already established garden for example it is still possible to get the most out of your shady areas. Take into account the amount of time the plants will be shaded for when choosing which plants to put where. Some areas may only be in light and partial shade whereas others may experience near total shade due to large objects such as trees and walls.

Different shade loving plants will thrive in different shade amount areas. Trial and error may be key as well as watching your garden throughout the year to see exactly how the sun moves over it and when.

Having a shady garden is not such a terrible thing and while many of us see gardens as reaching their full potential once they are filled with colour they are also spectacular when splashed with luscious green. This list of shade loving plants are some of the most popular and will brighten up any dark corner of your garden.

For shade loving bedding plants see: Pansies, Busy Lizzies and Violas.

Shade Loving Plants...

	Hostas - Plantain lilies

	The handsome hosta is an ideal groundcover plant for moist areas of the garden in full to part shade. These clump forming herbaceous perennials grown for their striking foliage and flowers come in a large variety of forms and colours including blue, gold, green and variegated. Hostas require protection from slugs and snails, use sharp grit and broken eggshells around the base.




	Ferns

	Ferns are the obvious choice for a shady spot, producing wonderful foliage and giving a woodland garden a naturalistic planting look. They transform a garden into a man made wilderness and create a permanent mood with their luscious leaves. Every style and design of garden has room for ferns, they seem to offer that magic that few other plants can.




	Elephant's Ears - Bergenia

	Hardy evergreen perennials grown for their large leathery leaves resembling elephants ears. hence their name. Bergenias flower in Spring (April to May) and now thanks to their extensive breeding come in a variety of colours and sizes. When established Bergenia form a dense weed eradicating ground cover. In Winter the foliage can turn a striking purple colour.




	Japanese maples - Acer palmatum

	Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) are a species native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and eastern China and are renowned for their staggering beauty in both autumn leaf colour and interesting bark. Japanese maples can tolerate part shade but dislike strong winds thus requiring a sheltered spot in the garden. Many cultivars available in all shapes, sizes and colours.




	Japanese laurel - Aucuba japonica

	Japanese laurels are evergreen shrubs with glossy leaves available in green and variegated forms. This tough plant is perfectly happy in full shade, part shade and even sunny positions and can grow in any soil so long as its not waterlogged. This flowering shrub produces eye catching red berries in the autumn and makes a good choice for hedging.




	Bamboo

	Bamboos are evergreen grasses with woody stems offering attractive, lush foliage that can be used to add a tropical effect to any garden. Coming in all shapes and sizes, most are fully hardy, shade tolerant and evergreen. Will grow well in most soils including clay. Plant bamboo in full sun to part shade away from strong drying winds. Grows well in pots.




	Lily Of The Valley - Convallaria majalis

	The Lily of the Valley (Convallaria Majalis) is one of the most beautiful and well known plants for naturalizing under trees and shrubs, where they eventually form a dense carpet of fresh green leaves and small white flowers. The dainty bell-shaped flowers fill the garden with a glorious fragrance in May. These flowers are also used in the perfume industry. Also ideal for pots on the patio.




	Camellias

	Hardy to half hardy evergreen shrubs and trees noted for their wide array of flower types and colours. Camellias prefer a neural to acid soil sheltered from strong winds and early morning sun. Camellias can be grown successfully in pots filled with ericaceous compost and watered with rain water.




	Flowering quince - Chaenomeles

	Deciduous shrubs with single, semi double and double flowers exploding into bloom between March and May. Flowers best in full sun but this plant is surprisingly shade tolerant and can quickly fill a problem gap. The fruit of Chaenomeles japonica produced in the Autumn can be eaten when cooked and are great for jams and pies.




	Japanese aralia - Fatsia japonica

	Fatsia japonica is a very exotic looking plant but in fact is extremely hardy and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and light. A truly great plant that makes a great focal point or gap filler. This architectural evergreen shrub with large glossy palmate leaves flowers in late summer and autumn with umbels of creamy white flowers followed by black fruits. 'A good doer'.




	Tasmanian tree fern - Dicksonia antarctica

	A visually stunning addition to any garden, Dicksonia Antarctica produces massive fronds atop a thick fibrous trunk. Hardy to around -5°C or even lower if protected with straw and fleece in the winter. The plant can grow in acid, neutral and alkaline soil but prefers damp conditions, this can be replicated by applying water to the trunk in hot or dry spells.




	Mahonia - Lily of the valley bush

	Mahonias are a genus of hardy evergreen shrubs with striking foliage and fragrant bright yellow winter flowers. Depending on the cultivar Mahonias can grow in full shade, light shade and full sun in a variety of soils and with their spiny leaves Mahonia makes a good security hedging plant. Mahonia flowers are replaced by fruits that are much loved by garden birds.




	Spindle Tree - Euonymus

	A genus of low maintenance hardy evergreen shrubs, trees and climbers grown for their wonderful foliage that is often variegated. Euonymus can be grown in a variety of soils in part shade to sun with the more variegated versions preferring full sun. Some cultivars like 'Euonymus alatus' produce wonderful autumn colours.




	Rhododendrons

	The rhododendron with its colourful flowers and dark green leaves makes a superb addition to any garden. They come in a range of sizes from 30cm to 6m. The flowering period is also variable from January to August. As they are natural woodland plants they prefer light or dappled shade. They also benefit from being sheltered from cold winds.




	Pieris - Lily of the valley shrub

	Medium sized evergreen shrub grown for its glossy foliage with all year round interest that changes colour from red to green in spring. Pieris are best in a shaded spot away from strong winds. They prefer ericaceous (acid) soil and require a mulch of ericaceous compost every spring. Many new cultivars available with striking attributes.




	Hardy Geraniums - Cranesbill

	Hardy Geraniums are a fantastic addition to any garden particularly cottage gardens or for use in informal borders. The genus contains a large number of flowering annuals, biennials and perennials and generally speaking if a plant is labelled ‘hardy geranium’ you can be sure that you are getting a true geranium as opposed to the less hardy pelargonium varieties.




	Snowdrops - Galanthus

	These small Snowdrop bulbs are the first to surprise us in spring. They flower early and can push their way up through the snow. They can be left in the ground for years and will naturalize and multiply rapidly forming large groups. Snowdrops grow best in humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or a partially shaded area of the garden.




	Alchemilla mollis - Lady's mantle

	Alchemilla mollis is a popular garden plant due to its ability to handle a wide range of soils and light conditions. This excellent groundcover plant can spread quickly if allowed to set seed and can soon turn a shady spot into a green oasis with its dense clusters of bright green flowers. To prevent this plant from spreading cut off the flowers once faded.




	Japanese Anemones

	Japanese anemones flower in late summer and early autumn. 'Honorine Jobert' is a good variety with white, single flowers, tinged with pink on the underside of the petals. Its fine qualities have won it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. It enjoys well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Mulch around the plants each year, and be prepared to lift and divide clumps if they spread beyond their bounds.




	Skimmia

	Skimmias come in a range of sizes and are a fantastic shade tolerant plant. This evergreen shrub has attractive glossy leaves and sweetly scented cream or white flowers which are produced in spring. Skimmias are happy growing on most soils as long as it is not waterlogged. Skimmia 'Rubella' has a RHS award of garden merit.




	Rose Of Sharon - Hypericum calycinum

	A low-growing, evergreen bush that spreads around by its underground root suckers and makes a beautiful ground cover. This undemanding ground cover plant has fresh green leaves and exotic yellow flowers. Rose of Sharon grows and flourishes well in a sunny place, semi-shade or even in the shade.




	Ajuga reptans - Common bugle

	The common bugle is an excellent flowering ground cover plant in part shade and is ideal for growing under trees and around shrubs. This fast growing plant can form a dense mat in only a couple of seasons suppressing weeds and covering bare soil.




	Tiarella - Foam flower

	Tiarella loves the shade and is a very useful ground cover around the bases of trees and hedges as once established this flowering plant can tolerate dry soil. Many cultivars are now available with beautiful purple veined foliage. In late spring and early summer small clusters of white flowers appear on the upright stems.




	Viburnum

	These popular garden shrubs can come in a range of sizes and flower colours and some are also happy to grow in the shade.
	With around 150 species of Viburnum it is worthwhile to check that the one you want is shade tolerant.




	New Zealand Flax - Phormium tenax

	Architectural plant grown for its sword like leaves and colourful foliage. Phormiums are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and can grow happily in part shade. Phormiums flower in late summer sending up tall spikes of exotic looking flowers that attract moths at dusk. The dense leaves of Phormiums are used in winter by hibernating frogs.




	European Wild Ginger - Asarum europaeum

	Robust and reliable groundcover plants, offering attractive foliage effect in shady places. Asarum europaeum has been valued and cultivated as a medicinal herb since the 13th century and is more tolerant than other varieties of the cooler British summers. These low, spreading plants have sweetly pungent roots which give rise to their common name of 'hardy ginger'.




	Hydrangea

	Hydrangeas are a genus of hardy deciduous and evergreen shrubs with attractive foliage and large flowers in pink, white or blue. Many cultivars are now available and most are tolerant of part shade. Hydrangeas have two flowering types; 'Round head' (resembling pom poms) and 'mophead' (resembling an upturned mop). The colour of the mophead hydrangea flowers are dependant on the soil pH, blue in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil.




	Hebe

	A genus of hardy to half hardy evergreen easy maintenance shrubs grown for their stunning foliage and flowers. Hebes will happily grow in sun to part shade in a variety of soils but need a little protection from cold drying winds. These plants also have the added benefit of being able to attract butterflies making them a great addition to any garden.




	Bishops Hat - Epimedium × rubrum

	Pretty and versatile with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves and a spreading habit, epimediums bring lightness and airiness to a shady border. The young leaves of this variety are bronze-tinted and turn reddish-brown in autumn. In late spring a froth of tiny, crimson and pale yellow flowers appear, suspended on wiry stems. A good groundcover plant for shady areas or under trees.




	Cyclamen - Cyclamen hederifolium

	The striking marbled foliage of Cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium) develops on the plant during the flowering period and stays green in winter. The remarkable, pink to deep pink flowers are very strong. Cyclamens are prominent garden subjects as they flower late in the season. Once planted, they can stay in the ground for years.




	Silver Dead Nettle - Lamium 'Beacon Silver'

	Delicate silver leaves, narrowly edged in green give this lamium an ethereal quality. It quickly forms a silvery carpet of foliage with whorls of long-lasting, nettle-like, magenta flowers in late spring and early summer. A beautiful evergreen groundcover plant that will light up the base of deciduous or even evergreen shrubs and trees. It prefers partial shade, and once established, will even flourish in difficult areas of dry shade.




	White Christmas Rose - Helleborus niger

	The White Christmas Rose (Helleborus Niger) flowers in the middle of winter when there are very few other flowers. They produce large white flowers with a diameter of up to 8 cm, which even show during periods of frost and snow! The flowers have striking yellow hearts and dark green leathery leaves.




	Japanese spurge - Pachysandra terminalis

	A genus of evergreen or semi evergreen perennials and sub-shrubs with serrated leaves of glaucous green to dark green with a variegated form now available. This excellent ground cover plant forms a dense mat in sun or shade. The Japanese spurge is an excellent specimen for filling the gaps between deciduous trees and shrubs. Tiny white flowers are produced in early summer that brilliantly contrast the dark glossy foliage.




	Dicentra - Bleeding Heart

	A genus of hardy moisture loving perennials with attractive fern like foliage for part shade. Bleeding heart flowers appear on arching stems and are available in pink, purple, red, white and yellow and appear on the plant from spring to summer depending on the variety.




	Euphorbia amygdaloides 'robbiae' - Wood Spurge

	One of the few Euphorbias tolerant of shade Euphorbia amygdaloides 'robbiae' is an excellent plant for dry shade under trees. With its bright green foliage it can really stick out amongst the other more usual darker green shade tolerant plants.




	Astilbe

	Mixed Astilbe is an ideal plant for soil that is not too dry, where it will flower profusely with increasing numbers of striking plumes. Astilbe is very sturdy and hardy. It combines well with other shade plants. The coloured flower plumes look attractive in mixed dried flower bouquets.




	Vinca - Periwinkle (Vinca minor & Vinca major)

	Vinca minor and Vinca major are evergreen trailing vines that produce wonderful flowers. They are happy to grow in part shade and can quickly spread to form a dense groundcover. Fully hardy and evergreen theses are a wonderful addition to your garden.




	Common Solomon's Seal - Polygonatum

	A genus of hardy rhizomatous perennials grown for the bold foliage carried on arching stems that turn yellow in autumn. Pretty bell shaped flowers in cream to white hang down from the stems in late spring. Polygonatum is happy in damp soil on full to part shade. Perfect in a shady woodland part of the garden planted amongst hostas and ferns.




	Red Stonecrop - Sedum

	Red Stonecrop (Sedum Spurium 'Schorbuser Blut') is a very attractive border plant that does not mind the shade and can be used as ground cover under trees and shrubs forming an expansive red carpet. Its star-shaped red flowers stand out from its beautiful dark green, slightly red leaves. Flowers absolutely anywhere. Another advantage of these plants is that they suppress the growth of weeds.




	Ivy - Hedera

	A popular climbing plant for shady walls and under trees, Ivy can quickly cover unsightly walls, buildings and fences in little time. It also has the ability to creep across open ground making it an ideal choice for steep sloping ground and derelict areas. Ivy can quickly form a dense cover and is ideal for nesting birds and other wildlife.




	Mexican Orange Blossom - Choisya

	Choisya are a genus of hardy low maintenance flowering shrubs grown for their attractive foliage and their scented star shaped flowers. Although best positioned in full sun, choisya will happily tolerate partial shade. Recommended varieties include Choisya 'Aztec Pearl', Choisya ternata and Choisya ternata 'Sundance'.




	Cotoneaster

	Cotoneasters are tolerant of a wide range of soil types and situations. Small flowers usually white or in shades of pink appear from spring to summer and are followed by bright ornamental berries in autumn that are great for attracting garden birds. Different cultivars are suited to hedging, ground cover, wall training and all types will not suffer from hard pruning.




	Angelica - Angelica archangelica

	Pretty, deeply cut leaves, which in early summer, are crowned by domes of tiny, luminous green flower heads. This angelica is biennial and dies back after flowering, but will self-seed freely in the right spot. It performs best in moist shade and it has a wide range of culinary and medicinal uses. Try it at the back of a herb garden, or among grasses and perennials, and give it space to express itself. A stunning, architectural plant that adds height and drama to a border.




	Angelica - Angelica gigas

	A stunning, architectural plant that adds height and drama to a border. Dome-shaped heads of plum-purple flowers appear on red-tinted stems in August and September and it has pretty, deeply cut leaves. Try it at the back of a sunny, herbaceous or mixed border, where the flowerheads will attract bees. It performs best in moist, fertile soil. This plant is monocarpic, so dies back after setting seed.




	Weigela - weigelia

	Weigela is a popular flowering shrub that brightens up any garden and is compact enough to use in the border or in containers. Once established this shrub can be pruned after flowering and can also make an stunning flowering hedge. Many varieties are available each having their own different preferences to shade tolerance. Weigela are low maintenance and easy to grow.




	Lungwort - Pulmonaria

	Pulmonaria commonly known as lungwort is a flowering clump forming semi-evergreen perennial that can handle lots of shade. It flowers in early spring, opening purplish-pink, soon turning to soft violet-blue. Lift and divide large clumps every three to five years after flowering or in autumn.




	Large Merrybells - Uvularia grandiflora

	The refined yellow blooms of Uvularia grandiflora hang in pendants from the slender, branching stems. Also known as large merrybells, this sophisticated woodland bulb will illuminate shaded borders and woodland gardens for an elegant spring display. This unusual perennial makes a wondrous scene when planted in large drifts in the damp, humus-rich soil of mature woodland.




	Crown Vetch - Coronilla varia

	The long, flexible stems of Crown Vetch (Coronilla Varia) are heavily branched and covered with fine, pinnate leaves. This plant's flowers are white and pale purple and form a dense cushion. These gorgeous flowers appear throughout summer; their pods grow after they bloom. Grows and flowers anywhere, in sunshine or shade, and in wet or dry soil.