Following on from my first article on super-useful garden plants for those shady areas we all have, I kept thinking of more beauties that should have been included ….. so here’s another 10.
1] AQUILEGIA
In variety. Grannys Bonnets can be grown in many colours and forms, singles, tight pompom doubles, gracegul species, dwarf and taller ones. Colours take in white, pink, inky blue, purple, near black, red and yellow. Although often seen growing quite happily in the sunny borderr their natural home is at woodlands edge so they will thrive happily in any partly shaded area.
2] AJUGA REPTANS
Commonly known as Bugle, this is a supreme little carpeter that is just ideal for a close-cropped ground cover – in shade. It can happily meander between larger trees and shrubs and it’s short stubby spikes of blue flower are a magnet to bees. There are also some really good coloured-leaved forms such as Tricolour and Burgundy Glow. Ajuga is an evergreen so you get it’s benefit all year round. Flowers most prolifically in Spring but sporadic blooms appear for several weeks. It’s also very good for use in planters.
3] UVULARIA GRANDIFLORA
An elegant and little known perennial from North America that lights up dappled shade in late spring with it’s dangling narrow tubular bells of soft yellow. The oval leaves clasp willowy stems which grow to about 100cm’s. Sheer class and very underrated.
4] BERGENIA’S
Or Elephants Ears as they used to be called years ago. The big evergreen leaves give great year round cover, especially as some varieties take on rich beetroot purple shades during colder weather. The bold panicles of flower appear early, often from February. Bergenia’s enjoy a cast iron constitution and are unlikely to fail. They really thrive in shade and are long lived great-value perennial plants.
5] PRIMULA VULGARIS & VERIS
Or – our native Primrose and Cowslip. Beautiful woodlanders for anyt not-too dry soil, the delicately scented flowers appear from March-May.Will naturalise and self seed.
6] ASTRANTIA MAJOR
And it’s many varieties, ‘Masterwort’ has been a cottage garden favourite for many years. It’s delicate pincushion like flowers can appear all summer long. Great for cutting, there are some bold newer varieties in shocking blood red shades which are really causing a stir. However, for shady areas I recommend the ‘original’ colour scheme of pearlescent grey-white and soft pink enjoyed by the species and varieties such as Shaggy.
7] HELLEBORES
What woodland garden could be complete without Lenten Roses and Christmas Roses? Such floral value during late winters dullest darkest days provide a feature for cutting too. The flowers last for weeks, months even and can now be had in all manner of shades. White, soft pink, rose, near red, slate-blue, yellow even and there are doubles too. The foliage is evergreen and should be cut back soon after flowering has finished. All Hellebores thrive in shade, be it niger, orientalis, foetidus or argutifolius. [Pictued]
8] OMPAHLODES
‘Blue Eyed Mary’ A charming little plant scarcely 10” tall with fortget-me-not like brilliant blue flowers in April and May. Ideal for the edge of trees or foot of a hedge. Enchanting, looks delicate but is pretty tough.
9] ASTILBES
You might at first find it strange to find Astilbe’s listed here but actually they are far more at home with a bit of shade than in full sun where they are often featured. They like some protection from hot weather and, provided the soil isn’t too dry, the feathery plumes of flower reach new heights of grandeur. White Wings, Peach Blossom and Professor van der Weilen are particular favourites and their plumes shine with luminosity in light shade.
10] TIARELLA
Two main species – wherryi and cordifolia are known as Foamflower. Heuchera relatives with similar Maple-like leaves, there is now a host of new varieties with interesting colour hues and patternings. The upright frothy flower heads are worth having too. Evergreen and tolerant of dry shade once established.
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