Shade can be cast by the orientation of the house, fences, and walls and by other large plants such as hedges and trees. Gardening in the shade, whether under trees or in a north facing garden, is the hardest area to plant. However, if you prepare the ground well and choose only plants that are happy in this environment, you can create a beautiful and calm garden.
Some shade is dappled, such as under Birch trees and some is heavy, from Holly, Oak or Chestnut trees.
The most important consideration when planting is working out the type of shade and the type of plants most suitable. Dappled shade is easier to work with, as this is not constant shade.
However, when planting under heavy shade, such as provided by oak trees, the plants that will survive are predominantly spring flowering plants. They will put on their show before the leaves have come out on the trees. Most of the photos here show a woodland garden under large Oak trees with spring flowering plants.
In some areas you might have to accept that planting is going to be too difficult. This is especially the case when you are trying to plant under a neighbour’s Leylandii fence. Here I look to use non living structures, such as wooden sleepers and pots, to create interest.
If you have a difficult area to plant and need some professional help then please get in touch for a free consultation and site visit by either calling 07775 611047 or email sam@fellsidegardendesign.co.uk
Gardening in the shade
The woodland garden in autumn
The woodland floor - Euphorbia, bluebells and Bergenias
Planting for dry shade - Brunnera Jack Frost
Mix of shade loving plants for under a tree
Hostas come in a wide range of shades of green and work well in damp gardens
Hosta last from mid spring to the first frosts and come back the following year
Hellebores add interest in late winter
Ground cover plants in early spring
Ground cover Lamium smoothers the weeds
Foxgloves planted under oak trees
Ferns under the trees add drama all year
Dramatic leaves for dappled shade
Brunnera macrophylla in Spring
Anemones work in both sun and shade
