Shade is an opportunity, not a limitation
Many gardeners see a shady garden as a constraint, but shade gardens have a calm, lush atmosphere you can never achieve with sun-loving plants.
Types of shade
- Light shade — filtered light through tree canopies
- Partial shade — 3-4 hours of direct sunlight
- Full shade — less than 3 hours of direct light
- Dry shade — shade under trees that also absorb moisture
Top 10 shade plants
1. Hosta
The queen of the shade garden. Beautiful foliage in endless variations. Height 20-80cm. Plant in moist, humus-rich soil.
2. Ferns
Nothing says shade like ferns. The hart's tongue fern is evergreen, the ostrich fern has spectacular unfurling fronds in spring.
3. Hydrangea
Both mophead and lacecap varieties thrive in partial shade. Months of blooms from June to September.
4. Japanese Anemone
Blooms August to October when most plants have finished. White or pink flowers on elegant stems.
5. Astilbe
Plume-shaped flowers in white, pink, red or purple. Blooms June-August. Loves moist soil.
6. Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Early bloomer with flowers that change from pink to blue. Spotted leaves stay decorative.
7. Barrenwort (Epimedium)
One of the best ground covers for dry shade. Nearly indestructible.
8. Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera)
Sky-blue flowers in spring, large heart-shaped leaves. 'Jack Frost' has spectacular silver foliage.
9. Christmas Rose (Helleborus)
Blooms mid-winter when nothing else flowers. Evergreen. Gets better every year.
10. Climbing Hydrangea
Perfect climber for a shady wall. White flowers, beautiful bark texture in winter.
Year-round interest
- Winter: Christmas rose, evergreen foliage, tree bark
- Spring: Lungwort, brunnera, bluebells, snowdrops
- Summer: Hostas, astilbe, hydrangea, ferns
- Autumn: Japanese anemone, hosta color, skimmia berries