shade tolerant plants...
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.
These areas are ideal for many plants including most golden-foliated types such as Philadelphus coronaries 'Aureus' (Golden-leafed Mock Orange), golden-leafed Weigela, and evergreens such as Choisya ternate '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
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
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.
Below are some varieties of shrubs and herbaceous perennials which will thrive in shade:
Shrubs:
- Aucuba (Himalayan Laurel)
- Berberis (Evergreen)
- Buxus (Box)
- Danae (Alexandrian Laurel)
- Ilex (Holly)
- Lonicera pileata (Honeysuckle)
- Mahonia
- Ruscus (Holly)
- Viburnum tinus
- Vinca (Periwinkle)
Herbaceous Perennials:
- Ajuga (Bugle)
- Brunnera (Forget-me-not)
- Epimedium (Barrenwort)
- Hosta (Plaintain Lily)
- Polemonium (Bluebell)
- Pulmonmaria (Cowslip)
- Tellima (Fringe Cup)
- Tiarella (Coolwort)
- Viola (Violet)
- And many Ferns
