Shady spots

I was recently asked for ideas on shady areas. These were a few things that sprang to mind!

Ideas for shady areas. When it comes to those shady areas where nothing seems to grow, we often get stuck. I find them inspiring there are so many shady beauties that are just waiting to be used. I love to create woodland gardens in those dark spaces. One of my favorite woodland planting combinations is a mixture of plectranthus, I especially love the Plectranthus ciliatus with its purple undertones with your Zantedeschia aethiopica mixing the plain leaf,speak leaf and Green Godess all poking through its sprawling mass, a Cyathea dregei 'tree ferns' for height and groups of Rumohra adiantiformis, Chlorophytum saundersiae and bursts of red Crocosmia aurea.For a bit of added interest why not plant a few shade loving bulbs such as your Scadoxus puniceus ' paintbrush' and Veltheimia bracteata 'forest lily'. Place some circular paving in the middle and you have a lovely cool place to sit in the summer which will be humming with activity.

Colour plays an important role in shade gardens. I love to use light pastel shades, white and grey in dark shady areas they really soften and brighten the area up, Zantedeschia aethiopica and Digitalis purpurea 'foxgloves' look really good together, Rhododendrons 'azaleas' and Mackaya bellas create a beautiful show their display of flowers really give those dark shady areas a boost. Swathes of blue and white agapanthus nana, or a patchwork of different hues of blues and white from the many varieties of hybrid Agapanthus that are available at the nurseries. Plants with very dark foliage can make an already dark area in your garden look even darker and not very welcoming. Variegated Plectranthus madagascar with red and yellow Clivia miniata bursting through will turn any dark corner into an area begging for closer inspection.

Walkways are called for in these areas. Instead of out casting these areas make them an interesting part of your garden waiting to be explored. For a natural look I like to use natural stone stepping stones with Sagina subulata 'Irish moss' planted in between with nodding ferns on either side. For a more contemporary look paving stones will lead you comfortably to your destination. Raised decking pathways really give woodland gardens that finishing touch. Sleepers give off a certain rustic charm.

For a low maintenance more contemporary approach that really makes a statement. Make soft flowing shapes with different coloured gravels, dump rock or pebbles with blocks of soft planting in between to create interest.

Sculptures and unusual or natural objects are great to use in these areas. A few big rocks protruding out from a mass planting of plectranthus madagascar, Sculplters, birdbaths, or even hanging glass sun catchers from the trees branches really give the area that added interest.

In between those shade loving beauties mulch loads of compost is a must. These areas often get very dry, bark chips not only finish the area off and look great they also keep the moisture in. Natural much from the trees leaves is even better and as an added bonus it enriches the soil so all your plants will flourish. It really is important to always leave a few leaves in the beds they help improve the soil and stop it from becoming a hard compacted floor



Plectranthus ciliatus and Zantedeschia authopica





Crocosmia aurea