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

The queen of the shade garden. Beautiful foliage in endless variations. Height 20-80cm. Plant in moist, humus-rich soil.

Nothing says shade like ferns. The hart's tongue fern is evergreen, the ostrich fern has spectacular unfurling fronds in spring.

Both mophead and lacecap varieties thrive in partial shade. Months of blooms from June to September.

Blooms August to October when most plants have finished. White or pink flowers on elegant stems.

Plume-shaped flowers in white, pink, red or purple. Blooms June-August. Loves moist soil.

Early bloomer with flowers that change from pink to blue. Spotted leaves stay decorative.

One of the best ground covers for dry shade. Nearly indestructible.

Sky-blue flowers in spring, large heart-shaped leaves. 'Jack Frost' has spectacular silver foliage.

Blooms mid-winter when nothing else flowers. Evergreen. Gets better every year.

Perfect climber for a shady wall. White flowers, beautiful bark texture in winter.