Perennials for shade
- Hosta sieboldianaHosta sieboldiana£11.95 As low as £9.95Stock 45Prized for it's large heart-shaped leaves in shades of dark and light green this Hosta flowers early to mid summer with near white flowers... Learn More
- Plantain Lily Hosta sieboldiana ElegansHosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'Special Price £5.25 Regular Price £7.50Stock 100+'Giant Silver Leafed Hosta' Sieboldi Elegans is the most attractive of all Hostas. It has beautiful intense silver-blue-green foliage and prominent... Learn More
- Aconitum carmichaelii arendsii x 3Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii'£7.95 As low as £6.75Stock 100+Aconitum carmichaelii arendsii is an old-fashioned hardy border plant and great for planting under shrubs. It has a very special relationship with... Learn More
- Plantain Lily, Hosta Brim CupHosta 'Brim Cup'Special Price £6.25 Regular Price £8.95Stock 100+This great Hosta makes a perfect partner on the patio and decking. Does well in large planters. The perfectly shaped foliage with a bright golden... Learn More
- Liriope muscari MoneymakerLiriope muscari 'Moneymaker'Stock 47Moneymaker has larger flowers than other varieties, attractive purple flowers form on upright stems from late summer until first frosts. Learn More
- Liriope muscari Monroe WhiteLiriope muscari 'Monroe White'£16.95 As low as £13.95Stock 34Liriope muscari Monroe White has rich evergreen strap-like leaves, it produces dense pure white flower spikes on tall erect stems late summer to... Learn More
- Liriope muscari Royal PurpleLiriopwe muscari 'Royal Purple'£12.95 As low as £10.95Stock 67Perfect for parts of the garden where little else will grow this versatile clump forming plant is excellent for groundcover or it can be grown as a... Learn More
- PlantainLily, Hosta First FrostHosta 'First Frost'£7.95 As low as £6.75Stock 100+One of the last varieties to die back in late autumn hence the name 'First Frosts', this new variety has blue grey foliage with broad, irregular... Learn More
- Plantain Lily Hosta PathfinderHosta 'Pathfinder'Special Price £8.95 Regular Price £12.95Stock 100+This shapely beauty has waxy creamy- white foliage with wide irregular dark green rippled margins. A medium sized Hosta perfect for ground cover or... Learn More
- Plantain Lily Hosta fortunei PatriotHosta fortunei 'Patriot'Special Price £6.25 Regular Price £8.95Stock 100+Patriot is a medium hosta, it has highly ornamental olive-green foliage with wide irregular pure white margins and pale lavender flowers in summer.... Learn More
- Plantain Lily Hosta sieboldiana FrancesHosta sieboldiana 'Frances Williams'£6.95 As low as £5.95Stock 100+A beautiful shade loving variegated Hosta with large heart-shaped leaves in dark and light green colours. Flowers in early to mid summer with near... Learn More
- Astilbe arendsii Fiery RedAstilbe arendsii Fiery RedSpecial Price £1.95 Regular Price £2.95Stock 100+Carpet Astilbe arendsii Fiery Red is ideal for shady, moist areas in your garden and thrives with the minimum of work Learn More
- Hosta sieboldiana Frances WilliamsHosta sieboldiana 'Frances Williams'£11.95 As low as £9.95Only 2 leftA beautiful shade loving variegated Hosta with large heart-shaped leaves in dark and light green colours. Flowers in early to mid-summer with near... Learn More
- Hosta Wide BrimHosta Wide BrimSpecial Price £9.95 Regular Price £12.95Stock 18Hostas are very tough, long-lived, shade-loving perennials. 'Wide Brim' is a clump-forming perennial with heart-shaped, dark green leaves broadly... Learn More
- Epimedium x versicolor SulphureumEpimedium x versicolor SulphureumSpecial Price £9.95 Regular Price £11.95Stock 13Epimedium x versicolor Sulphureum is both exquisitely beautiful and highly tolerant in regard to growing conditions. Producing light sprays of... Learn More
- Ajuga reptans AtropurpureaAjuga reptans Atropurpurea£4.50 As low as £3.75Stock 27Bugle is an excellent very versatile evergreen groundcover, suitable for planting under trees, at the front of a shady border or in containers for... Learn More
- Hosta fortunei HyacinthinaHosta Hyacinthina£12.95 As low as £10.95Stock 13Hosta fortunei Hyacinthina produces in mid-summer heart-shaped dark green leaves with a hint of blue with an unusual dove-grey underside and pale... Learn More
- Hosta fortunei AureomarginataHosta fortunei 'Aureomarginata'£9.50 As low as £7.95Stock 18Hosta fortunei Aureomarginata is one of the most popular hosta plants. It has large green heart-shaped leaves edged with golden, the margin fades... Learn More
- Hosta fortunei PatriotHosta fortunei Patriot£11.95 As low as £9.95Only 8 leftPatriot is a medium hosta, it has highly ornamental olive-green foliage with wide irregular pure white margins and pale lavender flowers in summer.... Learn More
- Hosta Krossa RegalHosta Krossa Regal£11.95 As low as £9.95Stock 18Krossa Regal is richly textured with twisted, deeply ridged leaves and pale lavender flowers in summer. This bold variety is a real eyecatcher!... Learn More
- Hosta AlbomarginataHosta Albomarginata£11.95 As low as £9.95Only 4 leftHosta Albomarginata is a compact variety with perfect pointed, rich green leaves edged in creamy-white margins. In summer pretty pale blue flowers... Learn More
- Hosta August MoonHosta August Moon£9.95 As low as £8.50Stock 23Hosta August Moon is a must to add to your hosta collection this year. In mid-summer it produces heart-shaped, cupped, pale green leaves sometimes... Learn More
- Hosta Blue Mouse EarsHosta Blue Mouse Ears£11.95 As low as £9.95Stock 17Hosta Blue Mouse Ears produces smooth, neat, blue-green leaves with a dull surface, the foliage is topped in midsummer by bell-shaped pale purple... Learn More
- Astilbe arendsi AmethystAstilbe arendsi Amethyst£12.95 As low as £10.95Stock 12Astilbe Amethyst is a lovely Astilbe blooming with large flowers on strong stems. They like a moist location and do well along a pond. Learn More
- Astilbe arendsii DiamantAstilbe arendsii DiamantSpecial Price £5.25 Regular Price £7.50Stock 76Astilbe Diamant is a lovely Astilbe blooming with large white flowers on strong stems. They like a moist location and do well along a pond. The... Learn More
- Astilbe arendsii ErikaAstilbe arendsii Erika£12.95 As low as £10.95Stock 100+Astilbe Erika is a lovely Astilbe blooming with large pink flowers on strong stems. They like a moist location and do well along a pond. Learn More
- Dicentra spectabilis RedDicentra spectabilis RedSpecial Price £22.95 Regular Price £29.95Stock 32
- Astilbe arendsii Pink 15cmAstilbe arendsii PinkSpecial Price £8.95 Regular Price £11.95Stock 64This vibrant pink Astilbe will add drama to dull areas of the garden. Astilbes have glorious arching fragrant plumes made up of tiny flowers. They... Learn More
- Ajuga reptans Burgundy Glow 9 cmAjuga reptans Burgundy Glow 9 cmSpecial Price £3.75 Regular Price £4.50Stock 19Bugle, Ajuga reptans, is an excellent very versatile evergreen groundcover, suitable for planting under trees, at the front of a shady border or in... Learn More
- Dicentra spectabilis White P13Dicentra spectabilis White£19.95 As low as £16.95Stock 31Remarkable cottage garden plants with exquisitely formed flowers, which 'bleed' floral droplets from the centre of the heart shaped flowers, great... Learn More
- Helleborus niger White 17 cm PotHelleborus niger£27.95 As low as £22.95Only 4 leftBrighten dull corners of your garden with this fascinating brilliant white blooming Helleborus niger, they produce curious saucer shaped flowers in... Learn More
- Helleborus or. dubbel Ellen WhiteHelleborus or. dubbel Ellen White£14.95 As low as £7.25Stock 23Helleborus orientalis 'Double Ellen' blooms with beautiful double flowers on long stems. They are a great addition for Winter pots and containers,... Learn More
- Hosta Abiqua Drinking GourdHosta Abiqua Drinking GourdSpecial Price £4.75 Regular Price £6.95Stock 43The Hosta Abiqua Drinking Gourd has round blue-grey puckered leaves. This plant has beautiful white flowers from July to August and grows best in... Learn More
- Hosta AnneHosta AnneSpecial Price £6.25 Regular Price £8.95Stock 100+Hosta Anne has dark green leaves with a striking wide yellow margin. This plant gives a unique look to your garden. Hosta plants are versatile-... Learn More
- Hosta BobcatHosta BobcatSpecial Price £8.50 Regular Price £11.95Stock 46The Hosta Bobcat is a beautiful little hosta with blue-green leaves surrounded by a golden border that turns creamy white as the season progresses.... Learn More
- Hosta BroadwayHosta BroadwaySpecial Price £8.50 Regular Price £11.95Stock 42Hosta Broadway is a medium to large sized hosta with striking foliage that develops lavender colored flowers midsummer. Hosta plants are versatile-... Learn More
- Hosta Color FestivalHosta Color FestivalSpecial Price £8.95 Regular Price £12.95Stock 65Hosta Colour Festival features leaves with a white centre that goes from light yellow to a dark green margin. Hosta Color Festival is a... Learn More
- Hosta EnchiladasHosta EnchiladasSpecial Price £8.95 Regular Price £12.95Stock 26Hosta Enchiladas is a stunning Hosta. The bright yellow leaves have thick dark green margins. Hosta plants are versatile- They grow well in part... Learn More
- Hosta Fire and IceHosta Fire and Ice£12.95 As low as £10.95Stock 93Hosta Fire and Ice has white centred leaves, with dark green edges. Plant in a spot that gets the morning sun for optimal growth. Perfect for low... Learn More
- Hosta Firn LineHosta Firn LineSpecial Price £8.50 Regular Price £11.95Stock 57Hosta Firn Line has heart-shaped blue leaves with a wide white margin. Hosta plants are versatile- They grow well in part sun to semi-shade, in... Learn More
- Hosta Get NekkidHosta Get NekkidSpecial Price £6.95 Regular Price £9.95Stock 23Hosta Get Nekkid is a wonderfully attractive plant. It has very shiny light green leaves with wavy margins. Its flowers are very decorative,... Learn More
- Hosta Jurassic ParkHosta Jurassic ParkSpecial Price £8.50 Regular Price £11.95Stock 38The Hosta Jurassic Park is a large perennial that starts growing in very large clumps in early spring. The plant once adult after 5 or 6 years, can... Learn More
- Hosta Lakeside Little TuftHosta Lakeside Little TuftSpecial Price £6.25 Regular Price £8.95Stock 39Hosta Lakeside Little Tuft has interesting elongated leaves with creamy white centres and dark green margins. Pale purple flowers appear in... Learn More
- Hosta LibertyHosta LibertySpecial Price £8.95 Regular Price £12.95Only 10 leftHosta Liberty has broad leaves with wide yellow-cream margins. Pretty purple flowers appear in the Summer. Hosta plants are versatile- They grow... Learn More
- Hosta Magic IslandHosta Magic IslandSpecial Price £9.95 Regular Price £14.95Only 7 leftHosta Magic Island is an attractive member of the Hosta family. It has grey-blue leaves with a centre that starts creamy-white and progresses to a... Learn More
- Hosta Mama MiaHosta Mama MiaSpecial Price £5.50 Regular Price £7.95Stock 100+The Hosta Mama Mia Hosta is a pretty perennial that can grow up to 35cm tall and 60cm wide. This rustic hosta is resistant to temperatures down to... Learn More
- Hosta Miracle LemonyHosta Miracle LemonySpecial Price £16.95 Regular Price £24.95Stock 100+The Hosta Miracle Lemony remains the very first hosta to produce yellow flowers. The bright yellow flowers it produces are bell-shaped and give off... Learn More
- Hosta Moon SplitHosta Moon SplitSpecial Price £6.95 Regular Price £9.95Stock 11Hosta Moon Split has dark leaves and a golden margin. It produces pretty mauve-lavender blooms and will like a northerly, shady position. It is a... Learn More
Shade-loving plants are very important to many gardens as they can bring light to darker areas of the garden.
Take for example a variegated Hosta, the radiant foliage will enhance the darker area of the garden and brighten it up.
We all have a bit of shade in the garden, but this shouldn't be seen as a problem as there are so many shade tolerant plants available to brighten even the darkest of areas.
We've put together a list of some of the most popular shade loving plants to help you on your way to a colourful garden. It's good to note how long the area is in the shade for when you are selecting your plants some plants grow in partial shade with just a few hours of sun each day whereas others will grow in almost total shade.
Beautiful shady garden
How to make a beautiful shady garden? With perennials, of course! Many people think that perennials do not grow in the shade. Fortunately, there are many examples of beautiful shady gardens to prove the opposite. The range of perennials in the shade is surprisingly huge.
A shady garden is not necessarily boring, in the cool shade grow the most beautiful plants for shade. They may be less spectacular, but no less beautiful. We speak of shade, when in summer there is less than three hours a day of direct sunlight, or over a long period of time, filtered light shines on the plant. Achieving a successful plantation in a shady garden is not difficult. It is important to consider the amount of shade. In the low light environment of deciduous trees and shrubs or in front of a wall, there is surprisingly a large range of shade plants that can grow.
Taking care of shadow plants
Shade is not usually the biggest problem for shade plants, it is mostly dry soil under trees or walls to the north. If the light is low and there is almost no water, then most shade plants die. Give them more water during dry periods. You also help them by covering them with dead leaves, so the water is better preserved in the soil. Spread each year a layer of compost, wood chips or bark between the shade plants. This produces a little more humus in the soil. Humus acts like a sponge and retains water better.