Plants for shade
Shade can be one of the most daunting planting positions and it is important to understand the degrees of shade before choosing plants.
Shade caused by buildings
When the sun is blocked by a building or fence, areas on the North and East sides of the obstruction rarely get direct sunlight. However, the area may still receive high levels of light and adequate moisture.
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These areas are ideal for many plants including most golden-foliated types such as Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus' (Golden-leafed Mock Orange), golden leafed Weigela, and evergreens such as Choisya ternata 'Sundance' (Golden-leaved Mexican Orange Blossom). Thin-leafed shrubs such as Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) thrive in such positions. Magnolia and Camellia flowers are less susceptible to Spring frost damage as they thaw out slowly if frozen. |
Bedding plants Nicotiana (Tobacco Plant) and Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) do well as long as the soil is kept moist.
Dappled or light shade
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This is normally caused by the cover of small-leafed trees such as Betula (Birch) which only let through limited sunlight. As long as adequate moisture is maintained, a wide range of plants find these conditions ideal. Up to 60% of plants prefer these cool, sun scorch free, permanently moist sites. |
Deep shade
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This applies to areas below trees such as Oak, Beech, Ash and many types of evergreen Conifers. The lack of sun is coupled to lack of moisture and rain cannot penetrate the foliage canopy. In addition the roots draw off much of the moisture from the soil, thus depriving other plants. |
Remedies for dryness
Dryness causes most of the problems, and by tackling this first there is a good chance of growing a wide range of plants in such an area.
The first step is to reduce the leaf canopy by removing carefully selected branches. It may be advisable to ask for expert advice first, especially if the trees are high or special equipment is required and there is any doubt regarding the safety of persons or property.
Next, constrain the activity of the surface roots of the trees by scraping off all existing soil down to the roots so they are just exposed, then lay a perforated ground covering sheet on the surface of the soil. Many Garden Retailers stock a ground covering perforated sheet that allows rain to drain through one way and prevents roots growing up through it.
Cover the sheet with topsoil not less than 20-23cm (8-9in) deep, incorporating good amounts of organic material such as well-rotted farmyard manure, spent mushroom compost or proprietary planting compost.
Under these conditions many low-growing shrubs, perennials and conifers may be grown and bulbs in particular can be planted with some real guarantee of success. Whatever is planted will require thorough and regular watering and Spring feeding to aid establishment.
Plants for shade
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Shrubs: Varieties of: |
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Herbaceous perennials: Varieties of: |
Tools Required: |
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Gardening Project Guides
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- Plants For Shade
