Best plants for shade and north-facing gardens

The best outdoor plants for shade needn't be dark and brooding in their secluded spot. Whether you are creating a jungle hideaway or a woodland dell, don't be daunted by a north-facing plot in the shade. It's an opportunity to embrace a neglected space by planting sculptural foliage that contrasts in form, hue and height. Ferns, for example, have larger leaves to absorb what little light is available.

There are different types of shade and it's by no means a negative space when it comes to having a bit of shelter from the summer sun. Before you begin planting it's useful to know how light and shade affect your garden over the course of the day. There is a huge difference between a plot that's in direct sunlight but lightly shaded by fences and buildings, compared to deep shade; this being an area that only receives a couple of hours of direct sunlight. In between these two extremes, there are areas that receive some direct sunlight but spend more time in the shade. Partial shade is exemplified by dappled light passing through a canopy of leaves. And moderate shade is an area that receives just three hours of direct sunshine.

Best plants for shade at a glance:

• Best fern for shade: Painted Lady Fern
• Best shrub for shade: Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
• Best bedding plants for shade: Begonia 'Nonstop Mixed'
• Best biennial for shade: Foxglove Digitalis 'Mixed'
• Best hanging basket plant for shade: Fuchsia ‘Trailing Mixed’

Aspect, light levels, soil type and moisture levels are key factors in choosing the right plants for a shaded spot. Aspect refers to which direction your garden is facing. South-facing gardens get more sun than north-facing. Dry shade is when an area is receiving a limited amount of sunshine and has dry soil. This can be the case next to tall buildings. Add lots of compost to the soil to enrichen it and choose plants that are suitable for those growing conditions. The plants will require regular mulching and may benefit from an irrigation system to keep them well-watered as the plants get established.

Choose from versatile climbing plants, such as ivy, honeysuckle, star jasmine and clematis. Or shade-loving shrubs, such as hydrangeas and viburnums. As well as thriving in shade, hanging plants like English ivy and ferns are great for creating a canopy of sorts because they’re full and leafy. You'll find that begonia bedding plants do very well in shaded spots too, along with other perennial plants such as geranium, hosta and anemone. Scroll down to the FAQs for expert advice on maintaining your shade-loving plants from Modern Gardens writer Geoff Hodge.

Best plants for shade

FAQs

Can fuchsias grow in the shade?

Geoff Hodge advises and delights in the benefits of fuchsias, that fill border gaps fast and thrive in partial shade:

"Think fuchsias are old-fashioned? Think again! There are all sorts of gorgeous new varieties, and our absolute favourites are the giant double-flowered ones with enormous ruffled blooms up to 10cm across! They flower reliably and regularly for months, from the beginning of summer until the first hard frost of autumn and are happy in sunny or shady spots. They’re not tolerant of cold temperatures though so treat these bobby-dazzlers as a summer splash of colour and consign them to the green bin once they’ve finished blooming, or move to a frost-free place over winter.

Watching a bud open to reveal a ruffle of petals is simply glorious! Fuchsia flowers are edible and taste sweet but slightly acidic – add a few to your morning yogurt.

What's the best bedding plant to grow in shade?

Most bedding plants prefer a place in the sun, but a few will thrive in the shade. Grow begonias in peat-free, multi-purpose compost in spotted sunshine or a partially shaded area. Avoid south-facing areas as the foliage can burn in direct sunlight. If you're growing begonias in a greenhouse, some shade may be required to help them thrive.

Tuberous begonias are excellent for growing in pots and hanging baskets. They have relatively brittle stems and heavy blooms, so grow them in a sheltered spot. On the other hand, foliage begonias are best grown as houseplants in the shade.

How do I look after dogwood?

A brilliant shrub to set your garden aglow with a lustrous display of glossy stems in an array of show-off shades. Modern Gardens writer Geoff Hodges shares how to make your 'Midwinter Fire' blazing dogwood happy:

"Early summer is a great time to add structural plants to your plot and one of the best is dogwood. You’ve no doubt noticed the colourful stems while you’ve been out and about over winter as they shine out like beacons, especially on a sunny day. But they look good all year with creamy-white flowers in summer and clusters of white berries in autumn. Many boast fab autumn leaf colours too, and the leaves remain attached long after most others have fallen to the ground."

Pick a healthy plant
Choose a dogwood with at least three strong stems and plenty of healthy well-coloured leaves. If it has dying, off-colour or yellowing leaves, give it a miss.

Keep it alive
While these dogwoods will all grow in a partially shaded position, you’ll enjoy the strongest stem colours if you plant them in full sun. They will grow in just about any soil but if yours is very poor, dig in some improver such as Levington Peat Free Organic Blend Soil Conditioner. In containers, use John Innes No.3 Compost.

Help it thrive
Keep the soil or compost moist for six months after planting, while your dogwood grows a good root system. You won’t need to water a dogwood in the ground, unless we have a prolonged dry period, but do keep watering a container-grown plant whenever the compost starts to dry out. Feed in spring with a controlled-release fertiliser such as Miracle-Gro All Purpose Continuous Release Plant Food.

Good to know
As they age, stems lose their glossy good looks, often reverting to a dull brown. So every year in late March or early April, use secateurs to chop all the stems to 2cm above ground level. It’s brutal, but they’ll soon grow back!
If you can’t bear to do this then just cut half the stems one year, and chop the unpruned stems the following year. Use this method too with ‘Midwinter Fire’ as it isn’t as vigorous as the others.

What to read next:

The best cantilever parasol to keep you shaded

Best food for plants to ensure healthy growth

The best bedding plants to add colour to your garden

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.