Gardening Tips > All year > ‘How to’? Plant for Shade

‘How to’? Plant for Shade

Every garden is different, some have plenty of sunny spots for sun-loving flowers but others are shaded and it can be difficult to envisage the garden becoming a flourishing outdoor area. However, there are plenty of shade loving plants out there to make your garden as vibrant as any other.

Make a plan

Before you dive in head first it’s best to plan how you would like your garden to look. Are you needing to add height to create contrast or do you need some lower level plants to spread out amongst your beds and borders? Knowing what plants come out in flower in different months is also helpful to have as much colour as possible all year round.

What plants love shade?

Heuchera, Euphorbia, Hosta and Fern are all popular shade lovers. Here are some more unusual plants and varieties that will enjoy a shady garden we recommend:

  • Astilbe 'Ton sur ton' - shade loving

    Astilbe ‘Ton sur ton’

This Astilbe ‘Ton sur ton’ is fabulous to add colour all season long with its striking red plumes (other Astilbe varieties are available in pink, white and lavender). Amongst green ferns they will add  height and variation. These are part shade to full shade lovers but need watering – don’t let them dry out!

  • Hosta 'Praying hands' - shade loving

    Hosta ‘Praying hands’

This Hosta consists of narrow, folded, dark green leaves resembling hands folded in prayer revealing glossy undersides. These can be placed in the front or middle of a border to create that lower level height and like a well-drained soil.

  • Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' - shade plant

    Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’

Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ or commonly known as the Chinese rice-paper plant ‘Rex’ is a large shrub with lobed leaves creating a spray of all year round evergreen foliage. This plant prefers part shade, well-drained soil and can reach up to 4 metres in height.

  • Calanthe Garden Orchid

    Calanthe Garden Orchid

The Calanthe Garden Orchid will bring a tropical vibe to any garden. Wonderful exotic flowers bloom in spring to give you a striking display. They like partial shade, well-drained, humus-rich soil and winter hardy (down to -10 degrees).

made for shade

Any garden/outdoor space can be made into something you’re proud of; with planning, time and the right plants you can achieve the best possible area.

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