The best plants for low light gardens
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The Best Plants for Low Light Gardens: A Landscape Gardener’s Guide
As a landscape gardener, one of the most common challenges I come across is helping homeowners who have gardens that receive very little natural sunlight. Whether it's due to overhanging trees, buildings blocking light, or the natural orientation of the garden, creating a lush, thriving garden in shady areas can be tricky. But fear not – there are plenty of plants that thrive in low-light conditions and can transform even the gloomiest corners of your garden into vibrant spaces.
Here’s my guide to the best plants that will flourish in shady spots in the UK, so you can get the most out of every inch of your outdoor space.
1. Hosta's – The Classic Shade Lover
Hosta's are one of the best-known plants for shade, and for good reason. They thrive in low light and can add texture and interest to any garden with their large, broad leaves and elegant, arching forms. Hosta's come in a variety of colours, ranging from deep green to silvery blues, and even variegated types with cream and white edges. They are particularly stunning when planted in clusters or used to fill gaps in a shady border.
Tip: Hosta's are ideal for moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate quite a bit of neglect once established. However, they do need regular watering, especially during dry spells.
2. Ferns – A Natural Choice for Woodland Gardens
Ferns are native to the UK and are perfect for those shaded corners where most plants would struggle. Varieties like Dryopteris (wood fern), Polystichum (shield fern), and Blechnum (hard fern) are especially good in low-light areas. Their feathery fronds can create a delicate, textured backdrop, and they work wonderfully in woodland-style gardens.
Ferns prefer moist, well-draining soil and can tolerate a variety of light levels, from deep shade to dappled sunlight. They're also great for filling in areas where other plants might not thrive.
Tip: Some ferns, like Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina), are particularly hardy and can survive in less-than-ideal conditions, making them great for urban gardens with limited sunlight.
3. Astilbes – Colour and Texture for Shade
Astilbes are another fantastic option for shady gardens. These perennial plants produce plumes of feathery flowers in shades of white, pink, red, and purple in mid to late summer, adding a burst of colour to your shady space. They’re particularly well-suited to moist, well-drained soil, and they thrive in dappled or partial shade.
Not only are Astilbes great for adding colour to your garden, but their attractive foliage also brings texture and interest to the space when not in bloom.
Tip: Astilbes do best in moist, slightly acidic soil, so consider adding organic matter like compost or peat to your soil if it’s heavy or clay-like.
4. Heuchera – Evergreen Elegance
For year-round colour and interest, Heuchera (also known as coral bells) is a fantastic choice. These hardy perennial plants have stunning foliage that comes in a range of colours, from silvery greys and greens to rich burgundies, purples, and even deep reds. Heucheras are perfect for shaded borders or containers and provide great texture against the green backdrop of other shade-loving plants.
Heuchera can tolerate full shade or partial sun, and their compact size makes them ideal for smaller spaces or as ground cover.
Tip: Heuchera thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and it’s important to avoid overly wet conditions, so make sure the soil doesn't stay soggy.
5. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Spectabilis) – A Touch of Romance
For something truly unique, consider Dicentra spectabilis, commonly known as Bleeding Heart. This perennial plant produces striking heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white, creating a romantic, almost fairy-tale-like atmosphere in shady areas. While it does well in low light, it also appreciates cooler, moist conditions, making it perfect for a partly shaded, well-watered garden.
Tip: Bleeding hearts are best planted in moist, well-drained soil and should be protected from harsh winds, as their delicate blooms can be easily damaged.
6. Cyclamen – Winter Blooms for Shade
If you want a bit of colour during the colder months, Cyclamen is a fantastic choice. These winter-blooming plants produce stunning flowers in shades of pink, white, and red, and they can be planted in the shade of trees or along woodland edges. Cyclamen thrive in cool, moist conditions and will flower from late autumn to early spring, providing a lovely contrast to the dullness of winter.
Tip: Cyclamen prefer a lightly shaded position and well-drained, humus-rich soil. After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally before planting new ones.
7. Tiarella – Foam Flower for Shady Spaces
Tiarella, also known as foam flower, is a fantastic perennial for adding both texture and delicate flowers to shaded gardens. It has lobed leaves and produces airy, foamy clusters of tiny white or pink flowers in spring. Tiarella prefers a slightly acidic, moist soil and will happily grow in full or partial shade, making it an excellent choice for groundcover in areas that don’t get much light.
Tip: Tiarella thrives in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. It’s a low-maintenance plant that works well under trees or alongside other shade-loving perennials.
8. Japanese Anemone – Late Summer to Autumn Colour
For a plant that brings vibrant flowers to a shaded garden late in the season, Japanese Anemone (Anemone hupehensis) is a standout choice. This plant produces elegant flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple from late summer to autumn, brightening up your garden when other flowers may be fading.
While Japanese Anemones prefer partial shade, they are quite adaptable and can tolerate deep shade as well. They also do well in moist, well-drained soil.
Tip: Japanese Anemones can spread quite aggressively, so be mindful of where you plant them, especially if you want to avoid them overtaking other plants.
Final Thoughts
A shady garden doesn’t have to mean a dull garden. With the right plants, you can create a lush, vibrant space that looks beautiful throughout the year. Whether you’re looking for foliage, flowers, or texture, these plants will thrive in areas that receive little sunlight, bringing your garden to life with minimal fuss.
As with any garden, the key is to understand the conditions of your space — how much light, moisture, and soil type you have — and to choose plants that will thrive under those conditions. So, grab your trowel, pick your favourite shade-loving plants, and transform your low-light garden into a haven of greenery and beauty.