Plants for Shade

These plants don't need complete shade! But they will tolerate being out of the sun for most of the day. Common places in the garden include the north side of the house or in the shadow of walls and trees.

Shrubs and Trees

Sarcococca confusa/ Sweet box - Evergreen, low, glossy leaves and fragrant flowers in winter

Mahonia aquifolium/ Oregon grape - Evergreen, fragrant yellow flowers in winter

Thamnocalamus - Very refined and hardy bamboo with small leaves and elegant habit

Skimmia - Evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves, fragrant flowers and attractive berries

Luma apiculata/ Chilean myrtle: Small evergreen tree with gorgeous bark and masses of white flowers in winter

Rhododendron: Most species are happy in light shade, including the excellent 'Lady Alice Fitzwilliam'

Azalea luteum - An evergreen shrub with very fragrant yellow flowers in late spring

Buxus/ Box: A classic garden plant either for a hedge or as a speciman topiary

Camellia: An elegant, evergreen glossy-leafed plant with stunning flowers in spring. Prefers a sheltered spot.

Osmanthus: An unusual species of hardy evergreen shrubs, some with lovely fragrant flowers.

Pieris: Pieris are elegant evergreen plants which has vividly-coloured leaves in spring. Excellent container plant.

Viburnum: a large species of evergreen and deciduous plants, many with scented flowers.

Acer palmatum/ Japanese maple: Stunning smaller trees which prefer light or dappled shade in a sheltered spot.

Groundcover

Vinca minor / Perriwinkle: a ground-hugging, evergreen plant with dark purple flowers

Gallium odoratum/Woodruff: a spreading native plant which spreads in damp soil; lovely white flowers

Ferns

Almost all ferns are very happy in light or full shade. Most prefer a moist soil. Very hardy and attractive as a groundcover.

Flowers /Perennials

Bergenia cordifolia / Elephants' ears

Hosta

Primula

Digitalis /Foxglove

Bulbs

Anemone blanda

Fritillaria mealeagris