PLANTS FOR SHADY GARDENS

Ferns and palms

There is a huge variety of ferns and palms, in a range of different sizes. Their lush green foliage is great for softening dark, shady areas. Ferns such as the Silver Lady provide structural interest with their deeply divided leaves, while the Kentia Palm lends a graceful look to the garden. The bright multi-stemmed Golden Cane Palm will add a touch of colour, and can also tolerate full sun. Most ferns and palms can also be grown in pots, which makes them perfect for patios and indoor areas.

Bromeliads and Orchids

These tropical plants are epiphytic, meaning that they do not require a medium to grow in but rather grow on the branches of trees in rainforest areas of South America. They can however be grown in pots and can be brought inside for you to enjoy their amazing flowers, or planted in a shady or filtered sun position in the garden. There are many different species, all with interesting flower spikes that come in an array of vibrant colours. There are also varieties with variegated leaves and striped leaves. Bromeliads and orchids are low maintenance and only require an occasional watering. Too much water will cause them to rot.

Gardenias

There are numerous varieties of Gardenia, most of which have large, glossy green leaves and perfumed white flowers. Most will tolerate full sun as well as almost full shade positions, and prefer fertile, well-draining soil. Gardenia augusta 'Florida' is great for hedging and 'Magnifica' makes for a nice specimen plant in pots or in the ground, while there is even a groundcover Gardenia, 'Radicans'. Newer varieties have single white flowers, gold flowers, and pinwheel-shaped flowers. All Gardenias will benefit from a feed with slow-release fertiliser in spring.

Azaleas and Rhododendrons

These shrubs prefer a morning sun and afternoon shade position and an acidic soil, and in return will put on a bright show of colour from late winter through spring. Flower colours range from white to pinks, reds, salmons and even shades of purple, and are either single or double (hose-in-hose) flowers. Azaleas are small to medium-sized shrubs while their close relatives the rhododendrons are large shrubs or small trees.

Camellias

As with the above plants, camellias also prefer an acid, humus-rich soil and morning sun, but Camellia sasanqua varieties can also tolerate an afternoon sun position. Flowers are single or double and come in a wide variety of colours, including white, pinks, purples, reds and colours in between. A timeless garden favourite!

Hydrangea

The Hydrangea is typically a medium-sized shrub to about 1.5-2m, but there is also a dwarf form called 'Piamina' which grows to about half a metre in height. These shrubs will flower in shades of pink or blue depending on soil acidity. Blueing and pinking tonics are available for changing flower colour (NB the white form will not change colour). Hydrangeas are semi-deciduous and should be cut back to two pairs of leaf buds in the winter time to prepare them for their lush new leaf growth in spring.

Clivia

With their bright orange flowers heralding the beginning of spring, Clivias will lighten up any dark corner of the garden. When not in flower, their dark green leaves add a luscious tropical feel to the garden and look good in pots or planted as a border plant in the ground. There is also a cream flowering form available.

Liriope

These hardy clump-forming plants tolerate full sun or part shade and come in a variety of sizes, with purple, pink or white flower spikes sitting above dark green or variegated thin strappy leaves. A fantastic border plant or pot plant for most sites.

Acanthus

Acanthus, otherwise known as the Oyster Plant for its oyster-like purple and white flowers that appear in spring and summer, has very large deeply divided glossy green leaves that form low-growing clumps to 1m in height. It will grow in full sun or shade and prefers well-drained humus-rich soil.

Daphne

These compact shrubs have dark green leaves and produce scented white, cream, pink or yellow flowers from mid-winter to spring. They have a reputation for being a bit fussy but are not hard to grow given the right conditions. They prefer a morning sun position and need well-drained soil to do well. They don't like being over-watered and their roots need to be kept cool: the best way to achieve this is to mulch around the base of the plant. Follow these simple guidelines and your Daphne will reward you with its beautiful perfumed flowers. A very rewarding plant for that shady spot in the garden.

Autumn Crocus

These clump-forming grass-like plants are herbaceous perennials and can be planted in either full sun or part shade. They make a great border plant for lining pathways and can also be planted in rockeries or in pots. In autumn they produce white, pink or yellow star-like flowers when most other plants are going into dormancy. Autumn Crocus are heat and frost tolerant and are very hardy plants.

Fuschia

Fuschias are great for pots or hanging baskets but can also be planted out into the garden in a shady spot. There are numerous varieties, including plants with upright or trailing habits, and large shrubs or small shrubs. The delicate pendulous flowers appear in spring and come in a range of colours, from white and red to pinks and purples. Fuschias need to be kept moist and will respond well to a good prune in winter and tip pruning after flowering in summer will help to keep the plant compact and encourage a second flush of flowers in autumn.

Aspidistra

Aspidistras are also referred to as the Cast Iron Plant because they are extremely hardy to neglect and dark, difficult landscape sites. They have large dark green leaves that grow from a rhizome. They are also great for pots and can be grown indoors or outside, as long as they are not in direct sunlight. They require very little watering and are great for providing lush greenery in those tricky spots where not much else will grow.