PLANTING FOR SHADY GARDENS
Here at Garden Club London, we often get asked about making the most of shady areas in the garden as they can seem like quite the challenge, but with the right knowledge and plant choices, they present a unique opportunity to create a tranquil and vibrant space. Success in these spaces relies on understanding the type of shade you’re dealing with, selecting plants that thrive in low-light conditions, and considering not just flowers but also the rich textures and colours that foliage can offer.
When planning for a shady garden, it’s essential to consider the type of shade you’re working with; whether it’s damp or dry. For example, areas under mature trees, where moisture is often scarcer, will require plants that can tolerate dryer shady conditions. On the other hand, areas with more moisture, such as beneath dense canopies or near streams, can support a wider range of plants that thrive in moist, shaded environments. Its important to consider what is already established in the area as well, as the plants you choose will need to compete for light, nutrients, and moisture with the surrounding vegetation.
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ and Hydrangea serratifolia
We like to think of planting in layers. When working with the shade created by trees and larger shrubs you have the opportunity to experiment with different planting heights. Consider a canopy of trees as your top layer, with mid-level shrubs like Fatsia japonica or Viburnums that offer a beautiful combination of foliage and flowers as your next. Below that, Brunnera macrophylla or Pachysandra terminalis create lush green ground cover. Thinking in layers allows for microclimates to develop within the garden creating a diversity of textures and growing conditions that work well together.
Fatsia japonica ‘Spiders Web’ and Anthyrium niponicum ‘Metallicum’
Foliage will be your best friend when planting shady areas, but this doesn’t mean it all has to be green. Leaves can offer a variety of textures and colours, enhancing the garden year-round. Fatsia polycarpa, with its large, glossy, bold leaves, provides deep green structure, while Anthyrium niponicum ‘metallicum’ offers silvery, metallic foliage that shines even in the lowest light conditions. Heuchera and Coleus offer contrasting burgundies for depth and interest. You can include seasonal blooms such as Geum or Astrantia that will still thrive in partial shade and offer tall pops of colour that reach for the light.
Geum & Astrantia
Overall, shady areas don’t have to be dark and damp, they can be full and interesting and provide an added aspect to your finished garden design.
