8 Shady Garden Design Ideas

Choose Shade-Loving Plants

Opt for plants that thrive in low-light conditions, such as ferns, hostas, astilbes, heucheras, and certain varieties of hydrangeas and impatiens. These plants are well-suited to shady environments and will add texture, colour, and vibrancy to the garden.

Create Texture and Contrast

Incorporate a variety of plant shapes, sizes, and leaf textures to add interest to the garden. Mix bold foliage plants with delicate ferns, variegated leaves with solid greens, and different heights to create a layered and visually appealing landscape.

Utilise Pops of Colour

Introduce plants with colourful foliage, flowers, or berries to brighten up the shaded garden. Plants like heucheras, tiarellas, ferns with colorful fronds, and shade-tolerant flowering perennials can add splashes of color even in low-light conditions.