Gardening in the shade can be every bit as interesting as in the sun. The secret is to choose plants who, s natural habitat is in low light. Woodland plants tend to be quite successful. They tend to do well with plenty of leaf mould and well rotted manure. This provides the plants with a vital reservoir of water and food. Damp shade can provide an environment where certain plants thrive and in which sun lovers dislike.

Dry shade under trees can be a bit more tricky. The competition for nutrients and moisture make this the hardest place in which to grow anything. Encouraging them to establish themselves in the first season by adding organic matter and not letting them go short of water is necessary.

PLANTS FOR DAMP SHADE
 
Ajuga             Alchemilla              Anemone      Astilbe        
Dicentra         Digitalis                 Euphorbia     Galanthus
Geranium        Geum                    Gunnera       Helleborus    
Hemerocallis    Heuchera               Hosta          Lamium      
Lysimachia      Mahonia Japonica    Mimulus        Polemonium       
Primula           Viola
 
PLANTS FOR DRY
SHADE
 
Digitalis          Dryopteris              Geranium   
Lamium          Viola
 
Heavy Shade

Aucuba           Buxus                   Fatsia          Hendera       
Ilex                Skimmia                Vinca       

Hot Tip:           
 
Where the area is shaded by deciduous trees (those that lose there leaves in winter) try planting early spring flowering bulbs. They will flower before the trees form a leaf canopy and cuts out the light. Hardy cyclamen, snowdrops, bluebell, crocus and dwarf narcissus (daffs) are ideal.
 
For more advice call at Tubs and Shrubs Hidden Nursery,
West Boldon (next door to Red Lion)