Nearly all gardens have a shady area yet too often it is regarded as a ‘problem’ area or one that is difficult to plant interstingly. An area beneath trees or at the foot of a tall hedge, maybe an area by a North wall or overshadowed by a building or shed – we all have these pieces of ground. Yes the reality is there are a great number of plants that will actually thank you for being planted there! Many of those I am about to recommend would either shrivel up and die if planted in full sun, or at least fail to display their lustrous potential. These are all plants that will revel in a dim or shady spot and I don’t know why it is, but they seem imbued with a natural lush and understated elegance that can’t be found in true sun-lovers…. So here’s my top recommendations for plans that prefer life in the shade.
1] EPIMEDIUMS
Utterly charming and surprisingly little known outside of keen plant lover circles, these demure yet compulsively lovely little perennials top my list with a number of virtues. I love the natural grace and elegance of the slender twiggy stems, the way the shapely heart shaped leaves droop ever so slightly…. The arching sprays of lily like flowers are tiny but well worth closer inspection. Best of all the leaves are usually evergreen and tinted.
Epimediums grow no more than 12” in hgith andf form nice neat clumps. The flowers can be white, lilac, orange or yellow and they bloom in late Spring. Absolutely invaluable year round interest and – sheer class!
2] HOSTA’S In variety. Ask anyone to name a plant that likes shade and likely as not it will be a Hosta that is mentioned first. This is a large family big on variety, that has something for everyone, and a variety for every aspect. Whether you want somethiong taller or architectural such as ‘Krossa Regal’ a small miniature for edging – Blue Mouse Ears, Gold Edger, Minuteman – or wide, satisfying big leafed rounded clumps – Patriot, Zounds, udulata variegata, Blue Wedgewood etc – Hosta’s are simply always effective in perfection.
3] HARDY FERNS Quintesentially shade loving of course. The texture and intricate shape of the leaves means they can create endlessly satisfying plant associations with other shade loving perennials. As long as the soil isn’t dry then the hardy fern family will embellish your shady spot with a sense of understated lush elegance almost indefinitely and will last for many years. There are taller upright species such as the Ostrich Plume fern [Matteuccia struthiopteris] as well as smaller more dainty growers such as the Aspleniums. If you have a shady Patio then these Hardy ferns can also be cultivated in pots.
4] PULMONARIA ‘SISSINGHURST WHITE’ Pulomonaria’s [Liverwort, Lungwort] will simply shrivel up or at last go into early summer dormancy if they get too much sun. But plant them in light shade and they attain new heights of demure splendour. There are many varieties, in blue, white or deep pink, but I feel Sissinghurst White shows the best in their natuiral environment. It’s the biggest grower [although still no more than 15” high] with the biggest leaves and the pure white flowers show really well. Whats more the leaves are densely dappled with silver.
5] VIOLA ODORATA Sweet Violet, a small native perennial although seldom found in the wild now, makes a beautiful demure carpeter for beneath trees or a North facing aspect. The lavender purple flowers create a carpet of colour from March onward, and the scent is absolutely divine! A posy brought indoors is a delight. Available also in white and pink flowered forms. You can also try the purple leaved Viola labradorica purpurea.
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