Every garden has its dark corners — the strip along a north fence, the dry shade under a mature tree, the narrow side passage that never sees direct sun. Rather than fighting the conditions, the best approach is to embrace them and choose plants that genuinely thrive without full sun. There is a surprisingly wide palette to work with.
Dry Shade Solutions
Dry shade under trees is the most challenging condition. These plants cope with both low light and competition from tree roots.
- Epimedium — tough, spreading ground cover, spring flowers
- Cyclamen hederifolium — autumn-flowering, self-seeds
- Geranium macrorrhizum — semi-evergreen, scented leaves
- Liriope muscari — late-season purple spikes
- Vinca minor — evergreen, spring flowers, fast-spreading
Moist Shade Plants
Where shade comes with moisture — often along north-facing boundaries with clay soil — hostas, astilbes and ferns will all perform magnificently and create a lush, cool atmosphere.
Structural Shrubs for Shade
Sarcococca (Christmas box), Mahonia and Aucuba all provide year-round structure in shaded spots. Sarcococca is particularly valuable for its powerful winter fragrance.
Do not write off your shaded garden areas. A&T Landscapes can help you choose and plant the right species for every corner. Call 07735 916029 for advice.