Gardening in the shade can be difficult for many people, especially new gardeners. Shaded gardens typically have issues due to a lack of light, water or ‘food’.
In addition to low light levels, plants growing in the shade must compete for nutrients and water with trees and tolerate poor air circulation.
The first active step is to ensure that your plants have enough water, which means that you must provide enough water for them to grow and flower. Often, the trees that provide shade absorb the majority of the water, leaving less for the smaller plants.
Mulching and composting on a regular basis will help to loosen the soil and retain moisture. Second, large trees consume the majority of the available nutrients in the soil, making shade shrubs and ground covers difficult to grow. Feeding at least three or four times per week is required throughout the summer.
- Forest bell bush
The native Mackaya bella, also known as the forest bell bush, will grow in complete shade and is ideal for planting right up against the boundary, where it will form a solid screen, blocking out walls or neighbours.
Growing just over two metres in diameter, they flower in bunches from spring to early summer with white-tinged lilac flowers, putting on quite a show each year. Because they are drought tolerant and hardy, they are a must-have shade plant in any garden. - Philodendron
The philodendron, which is often confused with a tasty/ delicious monster, is one of the most practical plants to grow in the shade. They add a touch of the jungle feel while requiring very little care and attention. Look for dwarf Xanadu varieties, which will grow to about one square metre in size. The multi-stemmed hope has large leaves that are frequently used in tropical arrangements, and the giant selloum, which can grow to be over two metres tall, makes a serious statement in the shade. - Fatsia
They can be grown indoors as well as on a shady patio and are also known as Japanese aralia. Plant one in the back to centre of the garden bed, where it will grow and spread its leaves to resemble an umbrella. In late summer, they get a small cluster of white flowers that push up through the umbrella. If they are mistreated, they recover quickly, and with a good cutback, they re-shoot quickly. - Azaleas
Acid-loving rhododendrons, also known as evergreen azaleas, are the most popular flowering shade plants. Rhododendrons also make excellent container plants or border plants in the garden. Rhododendrons are a sight to behold in early spring, when they are smothered in blooms. They are available in a variety of colours. Your rhododendron will thrive near the edge of a bed, where the shade is not as deep.
