For many gardeners, a shady, north-facing garden seems far from ideal, but there are actually plenty of plants that thrive in the shade. From rhododendrons to raspberries, here’s how to design a garden that uses the lack of light to your advantage.
Many plants need full sunlight to grow, and quickly wilt if they’re not getting 4-8 hours of light a day. In north-facing gardens, plants get much less sunlight, which rules out plants like lavender, petunias, and (obviously) sunflowers.
To make the most of your garden, you need to get to know the soil and shade, and choose your plants accordingly. Follow these steps, and you too can create a bright, richly varied garden, with flowers blooming even in the shadiest spots.
Understand the shade in your north-facing garden
Before you begin planting, take a walk around your garden and try to categorise the different levels of shade. Depending on the size of your garden, there may be a variety of shade levels, ranging from light shade (an area open to the sky but screened by a wall or high trees) to heavy shade (an area covered by dense trees or overhanging buildings).
Understanding the shade in your garden will help you to choose the most suitable plants. In heavily shaded areas your choices may be limited to climbers and wall shrubs, while a wider variety of plants will grow in areas with light, dappled shade.
Keep in mind that although sun-loving plants can survive in light to moderate shade, there will often be reduced flowering.
Let in more light
If you feel your choice of plants is too limited, consider ways of letting in more light. While there’s not much you can do about nearby buildings or tall trees in your neighbour’s garden, you do have some options. To reflect some extra light into your north-facing garden, try whitewashing the walls. If dense tree canopies are the problem, thinning (removing some branches) or pollarding (cutting back the main branches) could significantly increase the amount of light that reaches your plants.
Create the perfect soil
As you might expect, plants that cope well in shady environments often grow in woodland. Recreating “forest floor” conditions in your own back garden is simple, although it requires a little time and perseverance. Add organic matter such as garden compost, leafmold or bark to the soil, taking particular care around tree roots. If you have difficulty adding compost at a deeper level, try spreading it on the surface as a mulch instead.
Of course, all plants need water and plants growing in the shade are no exception, as there’s a risk of the soil becoming dry and barren in shady areas. Innovative devices like the GARDENA Flexcontrol can be used to control sprinklers and irrigation systems, keeping your garden watered even when you’re not at home.
Choose shade-loving plants
Once you’ve measured the shade and prepared the soil in your north-facing garden, you’re ready to start planting. Remember: Always be careful when choosing the right plants for your garden – especially if you have pets or small children. Daphne shrubs, for example, have poisonous berries and should be handled with care. Ivy as well. Here are some ideas for plants that thrive in the shade:
- Perennials will add a splash of colour to even the shadiest north-facing garden. Hostas are particularly popular, but you could also try the delicate foamflower or silvery lungwort. For dry, extremely shady areas beneath trees, plant tougher perennials such as barrenwort.
- Shrubs should be chosen with care. Rhododendrons and azaleas can cope with heavy shade, whereas daphnes are more likely to bloom with a bit of sunlight. Shadbushes are robust and will grow anywhere.
- Climbers and wall shrubs like Virginia creepers, honeysuckle, clematis and ivy do very well in cold, shady gardens. Remember that these kinds of plants need to be pruned as soon as they’re planted.
- Some fruit and vegetables can produce good crops in partial shade if they have some direct sun during the summer. Plant woodland fruits such as raspberries and blackcurrants, or shade-tolerant vegetables like beetroot, lettuce and spinach.
So, instead of worrying about the lack of sunlight, see your shady garden as a chance to get creative. With just a little bit of planning, and careful choice of plants, the future of your north-facing garden is bright…
