The borders begin to come alive in March, most bulbs are showing some green if not flowers, and most perennial plants are beginning to show and put on a good amount of growth. It is also another good month for planting and adding more plants and interest to the borders.
A shady border can hold a treasury of plants, often overlooked in our pursuit for sun lovers. Nearly every garden has a shady corner, even if you only have a single tree in your garden, you can create a relaxing place to be by planting shade loving plants.
These plants tend to flower in late winter to early spring, taking advantage of the light before the overhanging branches come into leaf and shade them out. They enjoy a well-draining, humus-rich soil. Plant them informally as if they were in a woodland setting.
My top 5 shade loving plants are:
If you would like help with organising and planning a shady border, or would like to order these or other shade loving plants, please get in touch via email, mobile or social media.
A shady border can hold a treasury of plants, often overlooked in our pursuit for sun lovers. Nearly every garden has a shady corner, even if you only have a single tree in your garden, you can create a relaxing place to be by planting shade loving plants.
These plants tend to flower in late winter to early spring, taking advantage of the light before the overhanging branches come into leaf and shade them out. They enjoy a well-draining, humus-rich soil. Plant them informally as if they were in a woodland setting.
My top 5 shade loving plants are:
- Vinca aureovariegata.
A mat forming ground cover hardy evergreen shrub, with glossy variegated yellow leaves, which contrast beautifully with the single blue flowers in spring.
- Pulmonaria, commonly known as lungwort.
A clump forming deciduous perennial. Attractive speckled leaves and blue, white, or pink flowers in spring. ‘Blue Ensign’ is my favourite.
- Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Copper Shield’ Fern.
A semi-evergreen fern with dark green foliage, new growth is tinged bronze-pink in spring. Create an architectural backdrop for spring flowers. - Corydalis ‘Berry Exciting’.
A dainty clump forming perennial with pinnate yellow to green leaves and slender tubular pink flowers in spring.
- Fritillaria imperialis.
These architectural looking flowers are sold as a bulb in the autumn. Thick erect stems hold an umbel of bell-shaped orange, yellow or red flowers. Pictured here in my own garden, they do require some sun, but seem to thrive well in my dappled shade border.
If you would like help with organising and planning a shady border, or would like to order these or other shade loving plants, please get in touch via email, mobile or social media.
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