Top plant picks for thriving in shaded areas
In the heart of summer, when the sun beats down and the days are long, it's easy to forget about the beauty that can be found in the shaded corners of our gardens. But fear not, for there is a wealth of plants that thrive in these more subdued conditions, each with their own unique characteristics and bloom times.
First on our list is Solomon's seal (Polygonatum x hybridum), an old-fashioned cottage garden plant that bears graceful, arching stems with paired, oval leaves and dangling, bell-shaped flowers from late spring to early summer.
Campanula lactiflora, a bellflower that thrives in some shade, follows closely, presenting pretty clusters of purple-blue bell-shaped flowers. Wood spurge, a variety of spurge that thrives in dry shade, adds lime-green flowers above dark green leaves to the mix.
For those gardening in moist, partially shaded spots, the Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis baileyi) is a must-have. This plant bears spectacular, bowl-shaped blue flowers with bright yellow centres in late spring to early summer.
When it comes to soil moisture, factors such as the shade of trees and the proximity to buildings or high walls play a significant role. Lungwort (pulmonaria), a groundcover plant that makes excellent shady border plants, is particularly suited to these conditions, with funnel-shaped flowers in shades of blue, violet, pink, purple, red and white.
Moving on to plants that thrive in different types of shade, we find that their preferences vary by shade intensity and soil moisture.
Light/Partial shade, or areas that receive filtered or limited sun, are ideal for plants like Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill). These repeat bloomers from late spring through fall boast deeply lobed, often aromatic foliage that may turn color in autumn. Astilbe, with its feathery flowers in pink, white, or red, also thrives in partial shade, needing more sun in cooler climates and more shade in hotter areas.
General shaded areas support plants like Fuchsia, with exotic, pendant flowers in vibrant colors, and Hostas, popular shade perennials known primarily for their attractive foliage. Begonias are another choice, offering ornamental foliage and blooms suitable for little to no sun.
For very low light areas, shrubs such as Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica) and Japanese Laurel (Aucuba japonica) grow tall (6+ feet) and tolerate deep shade. Perennials like Bishop’s Cap (Epimedium cvs) are low maintenance, slowly spreading groundcovers under a foot tall, with attractive foliage that changes color through seasons and early spring blooms, excellent for dry, shaded strips.
While not explicitly detailed in the search results, many woodland-origin plants like primroses flourish in moist, shaded areas, providing early spring color among rosettes of textured leaves.
For those dealing with dry shade, shrubs and perennials adapted to these conditions include Hellebores, Coral Bells (Heuchera cvs), and Foam Flower (Tiarella cvs), known for their bright foliage colors and extended bloom times. Many cultivars are evergreen and drought-tolerant once established.
In summary, these plants cover a range of bloom times, foliage colors, and care requirements suited for different shaded garden conditions, from light-filtered to deep shade areas, moist or dry soils. With a little planning and the right plant choices, your shaded garden can be a vibrant and beautiful extension of your outdoor living space.
[1] Titchmarsh, A. (2021). Alan Titchmarsh's Complete Guide to Gardening. Dorling Kindersley. [2] Royal Horticultural Society. (2021). RHS Plants for Shade. Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=621 [3] BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. (2021). 10 Top Shade-Loving Plants. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/gardening/plants/shade-loving-plants [4] The Spruce. (2021). Shade-Loving Plants for Your Garden. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/shade-loving-plants-1411306
