By Jacob Clark
If there's one thing I love about plants, it is their beautiful ability to do most of the work for us. Green things want to grow, we are just helping them along.
Normally the formula is: sun + water + soil/nutrients = growth. However, some plants need surprisingly little input to thrive, even in shade!
Types of Plants that Like Shade
When you pick the planting for your garden, just think of natural spaces that are similar to your own. Plants are all native to somewhere wild with its own climate and soil types — your garden is just a microclimate for you to creatively cultivate. For example, plants that will thrive in a shaded garden are usually native to woodlands where the canopy of the trees keeps out most of the natural light.
There are plenty of comprehensive lists, such as this RHS shade planting guide or this one on Gardeners World, that will give you inspiration for shade planting. Or, if you're at a garden centre and see something you love, just check the tag on the plant and that will tell you how much sun it wants.
Some of my favourite combinations for shade planting to hopefully inspire you. For herbaceous ground cover I recommend epimedium, ajuga, and pulmonaria.
For feature trees and shrubs I recommend Amelanchier, Silver Birch, and Cornus. Bonus mention: ferns for full and rich greenery, rhododendrons and hellebores for gorgeous flowers, and sarcococca for scent.
Clark's Gardens — Advice for Shaded Garden Care
If you've just moved somewhere with a shaded garden and want the place to feel lush and full of life, then here's what you need to do.
- Check what kind of soil you're working with. If there are existing beds, consider a winter mulch or forking in some compost to get nutrients into the soil and prepare for planting. If you've only got a small patio then think about maximising space with planters on the walls and around the edges. A mix of compost, potting compost and slow release food is always a safe bet, as well as proper drainage. Also remember to consider whether your plants are acid-loving or not — this will impact heavily on what compost you buy.
- Consider your irrigation system. Some plants love bone dry soil and some love a good bog — shade planting tends to prefer slightly more moist soil so make sure you're prepared with a hose for the dryer weeks in summer.
- Think about wind and exposure. If your garden is shaded then I'll go ahead and assume it's fairly sheltered. However, if this isn't the case then make sure you know where the winds will hit your plants and if they're in danger of damage.
- Look at the existing plants. Is there anything already thriving that you want to keep or encourage? Are there particular weeds which you need to go to war with before bringing in new stuff? The existing plants can tell you a lot about a space so make sure to do a little research.
The final (and most exciting) part is choosing your plants!
The short answer to the question is yes, lots of plants will grow in shade. I hope this post has been helpful in inspiring ideas and encouraging you to make your shaded garden full of life and colour. Happy planting!