![]() The benefit of perennials is that they will keep coming back year after year. Alchemilla with its large leaves, beads of sparkling water droplets and trouble-free nature is ideal for edging shady borders.Brunnera macrophylla has heart-shaped leaves, forget-me-not like flowers and is great for mixing with other shade tolerant choices in woodland garden borders. ![]() Euphorbia amygdaloides is an evergreen perennial that features sprays of yellow-green flowers from spring to early summer.It produces wands of grape-like purple flowers in fall. Liriope is an evergreen perennial with grassy leaves that provide excellent groundcover.Ferns offer hardy choices for both dry and moist shade areas.Hostas will spread and are grown for their decorative large leaves that are green, gray or variegated – just watch out for snails.Good shade garden ideas for focal foliage include: Include some evergreen fillers with gleaming foliage for a year-round lustre, combine different forms and heights, and then infill with more ephemeral highlights.Ĭonsider making a focal point of plants with glossy reflective leaves or foliage and flowers that give the impression of light, such as gold, silver or variegated leaves and luminous white or pale flowers. So experiment with lush foliage textures, layering up different leaf types, and also investigate evergreen plants for shade that will look good year round.Īs the shade gets darker your choices lessen to a limited selection of extremely tolerant plants, such as ivy, ferns and liriope. Some plants may flower less in shade gardens, but often have larger leaves to enable photosynthesis. Choose the right plant for the right place See our guide to garden landscaping to add structure to your outdoor space. An advantage is that the structures that cast the shade also offer shelter. Helping your soil here is important, too use organic matter to improve drainage and mulch to break down and aid the soil structure.įor both dry and damp areas in a shade garden, aim to add some light, color and warmth through planting to enliven the shadows. Add in plenty of organic matter or even homemade compost before planting, and mulch to help the soil retain some.ĭamp areas in a shady garden are found in cool, moist woodland areas, near water and with clay soil. Select plants that will tolerate shade with compact root systems so they don’t compete with the tree for nutrients, and pay attention to watering and fertilizing as plants establish. When planting beneath trees, remove any weeds and scratch the surface of the soil with a garden fork – as the soil can be very compacted – taking care not to damage any roots. Whether it is more acidic or alkaline plays a part, but the most important factor tends to be the soil's ability to retain or drain moisture.ĭry areas in a shade garden tend to be under large trees that have shallow roots, or against walls that face away from the wind and therefore are sheltered from the rain this is particularly so if your soil is shallow, sandy or chalky. ![]() There are many garden plants that will thrive in the shade, but each has its own soil needs.
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