Plants for Shade

For many of us, there is always one shady area of the garden that has proved tricky to grow anything in, it's either too dry, to dark, or too damp! There are however still many great plants to choose from that will thrive in these conditions and will be available to create interest in even the dullest and normally bare areas in your garden.

There are a few basic tips and tricks that will always help you brighten up a shady spot, it needn't just be plants either, think "outside the box" and be creative. If it doesn't work, it can be changed, the beauty of gardening is that there is no "right" or "wrong", only what you like the look of!

• Try using light coloured stone in the area, it will help reflect any light that reaches the patch, it will also help retain moisture if the area is usually dry.
• Use reflective items such as mirrors or highly polished metalwork, again, this will increase the sense of light in the area.
• Use plants with light or colourful foliage in the area, it will immediately cheer the space up and also add interest.
• Don't be afraid to use interesting plants with unusual shaped leaves, such as hostas and ferns, if flowers don't flourish in the area then turn it into an exotic looking "rainforest" feature.
• - If the area is shaded by a wall or fence, then try painting them in lighter shades to give it an instant lift.
• - If you want to have a lawn, then make sure the seed you use is suitable for shaded places.

What plants are suitable for dry shade?

Most dry shade occurs either at the base of walls or fences where little or no rain can fall and so the ground ends up dusty and unuseable. It can also occur around the base of larger trees with shallow root systems so that any moisture is quickly sucked away by the tree itself.

In these situation, it is vital to help with the condition of the soil before you plant anything at all. Digging in lots of organic matter, such as well rotted farmyard manure, or good quality compost will increase nutrients in the soil and also improve its structure too. Once you have chosen and selected your plants, a mulch around them will help retain moisture for longer. Suitable mulches can be gravel, bark or decorative stones too.

What can I plant in damp shade?

Often found in woodland settings, these areas are mostly suited for foliage plants such as ferns or hostas, mainly because flowers tend not to flourish in these conditions. Clay soil can also compound damp, shady areas due to poor drainage. As with dry shade, it is very important to dig in plenty of organic matter to improve the soil. Mulching will also help as it breaks down into the soil over time, feeding as it does so.

Examples of plants for types of shade:

For light or dappled shade

For semi-shade

For more heavily shaded areas