Plants for shade

Plants that tolerate a north-facing or shaded border.

A north-facing border or the shadow of a building need not be a problem; it simply asks for a different palette built on foliage as much as flower. Dry shade under trees is the hardest case, so enrich the soil heavily with leaf mould and compost and water new plants through their first two summers until they root down. Lean on contrasting leaf shapes and the many shades of green for interest, with white and pale flowers to lift the gloom. The common mistake is forcing sun-lovers into shade, where they stretch and sulk. The plants listed here are genuinely happy out of direct sun, including reliable performers for dry ground beneath established trees.

Border Builder is a garden border planner for iPhone and iPad. Pick from the 300 plants below and it works them into a full plan: how many of each, where they go, and how the bed reads through the seasons.

300 plants for this

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Plants for full sun Plants for partial shade Plants for clay soil Plants for sandy soil Plants for chalk soil Plants for acid soil