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Having a garden full of flowers is a dream, but finding the right plants to grow in your garden can be somewhat troublesome, particularly here in the UK. If you’re dealing with a shady garden on top of our unpredictable weather, it’s no surprise that you’re looking for plants for full shade UK gardens. Fortunately, plenty of plants grow in the shade right here in England and without too much fuss. Here are our top 10 plants for full shade UK gardens that you can plant all year round to brighten up even the darkest areas.
Ivy
Scientific Name: Hedera Helix
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 12 x 4
If you’re looking for garden shade ideas, this natural option is perfect. Common Ivy is a self-clinging climber that thrives once it establishes itself in the garden, which usually takes around three months[i]. This evergreen plant produces glossy green, lobed leaves that often turn a range of rusty colours during autumn. Once they are mature, common Ivy plants will present bushy branches, diamond-shaped leaves, small, green-yellow flowers in autumn and black berries in winter. Ivy will grow in the sun or shade but prefers highly shady spots with well-drained soil.
Although Ivy is a beautiful climber, it is highly toxic. Because of this, you should never eat the wintering berries or any other part of the plant and always wear protective equipment when handling.
Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’
Scientific Name: Hydrangea Macrophylla
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 2.5 x 2.5
There are plenty of types of hydrangea that prefer shady growing spots, including hydrangea quercifolia with its clusters of white florets and hydrangea serrate with its delicate flowers that can be either mauve or blue depending on the soil type[ii]. However, hydrangea macrophylla ‘Annabelle’ is one of the best of these shade loving shrubs that grow in the UK. This small shrub produces large, circular heads of white flowers throughout summer, with some heads reaching around 25cm in height. Although not evergreen, this hydrangea’s foliage is a lovely green from spring to autumn.
Contact with the foliage of hydrangeas may worsen skin allergies, including dermatitis. Plus, all parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested, so always wear protective gear when handling.
Himalayan Clematis
Scientific Name: Clematis Montana
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 12 x 4
Himalayan Clematis is a sturdy climber that is surprisingly rare in the wild in the UK. However, it is a popular garden plant, particularly when looking for privacy, since this climber grows vigorously once established. Although it may take a few years before this plant starts to bloom, the large pink-white flowers and beautiful foliage during spring make it worth it. The leaves often have a purple or bronze tone during this time before they turn green, making for a very colourful addition to your shaded garden. Himalayan Clematis is very tolerant of shade and will grow in almost any soil type as long as it is well-drained.
Cranesbill Geranium
Scientific Name: Geranium
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 0.5 x 0.5
Cranesbill geraniums, or hardy geraniums, are perfect for lighting up shady areas because they produce plenty of flowers in a range of colours and lush foliage to add texture. These tough plants for full shade are incredibly low maintenance and easy to grow; they just need well-drained, fertile soil and cool temperatures. Many cranesbill geraniums can bloom over a long season if cut back hard, meaning you could have popping colours and abundant foliage from early spring to late autumn. However, don’t confuse cranesbill geraniums with regular geraniums – the regular variety are perfect bedding plants and much more tender than these hardy types[iii].
Foxglove
Scientific Name: Digitalis Purpurea
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 2.5 x 0.5
Foxglove is a bee’s dream, and, if you’re looking for plants for full shade UK gardens, it may be your dream too! This biennial is hardy enough to thrive in almost any condition, from full sun to full shade, and its beautiful flowers are unlike anything else on this list. The bright purple tubular sprouts are visible throughout summer, and it has oval, green foliage from spring until autumn. The leaves are tall and softly hairy. Foxglove will grow in almost any soil type, though it’s best to avoid any too wet or too dry conditions.
Foxglove can be highly toxic if ingested. To protect yourself, wear gloves when handling and wash hands immediately after.
Virginian Witch Hazel
Scientific Name: Hamamelis Virginiana
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 8 x 4
This large shade loving shrub will add a lovely pop of yellow to your garden and fill it with a rich, woody scent. Virginian witch hazel produces foliage from spring until autumn when the rounded leaves can turn a rich yellow or gold colour to match the clusters of flowers that appear from mid-autumn until winter. This particular type of witch hazel is the species that medicinal witch hazel is made from. Although you can create medicinal concoctions from the stems and leaves of this plant, ensure that you use these in the safest way[iv].
Himalayan Blue Poppy’ Lingholm’
Scientific Name: Meconopsis’ Lingholm’
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread:
The Himalayan Blue Poppy is a short-lived perennial that shows green foliage through spring and summer and produces bright blue flowers during summer. The ‘Lingholm’ variety also produces green and gold fruits during summer. Himalayan blue poppy stems can grow as tall as 1 metre, but younger leaves and stems are smaller and usually covered in long, soft hairs. Perfect for difficult shady areas, the Himalayan Blue Poppy is a hardy plant that will add plenty of colour and thrive with little maintenance. It prefers clay and loam soil that is well-drained and moist.
Wood Spurge
Scientific Name: Euphorbia Amygdaloides
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 0.5 x 0.5
Wood spurge is one of those shade loving shrubs that thrive in the UK. Content with anything from partial shade to full shade, wood spurge isn’t as invasive as other plants for full shade. It will not grow as high or spread as far as many climbers and shrubs on this list but will still add plenty of colour to your shady corners. This evergreen perennial produces yellow clusters of flowers during spring and summer, with green-red stems and matte green leaves all year round. Wood spurge grows best in partial shade in moist soil.
If broken, the wood spurge’s stems produce a white sap, similar in appearance to milk. This sap can irritate skin and have severe effects if it goes into the eyes. Plus, all parts of this plant will cause severe discomfort if eaten. Remember to wear gloves when handling.
Snowdrop
Scientific Name: Anemone Sylvestris
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 1 x 0.5
Snowdrops are as pretty as their name, producing luscious white flowers with a yellow and gold pistil in the centre. These flowers can be as wide as 8 cm across, although the stems don’t grow much taller than 1 metre. Snowdrops have deep green foliage that appears throughout spring and summer, at the same time as its flowers. If possible, you should plant snowdrops in well-drained soil in partial shade; they thrive particularly well under trees or shrubs.
The ingestion of snowdrops can cause stomach upsets, and contact is likely to irritate the skin. Make sure to wear protective equipment when handling and wash hands afterwards.
Rhododendron
Scientific Name: Rhododendron Ponticum
Ultimate Height x Ultimate Spread: 4 x 4
The common rhododendron is far more interesting than its name suggests, producing trusses of pink-purple funnel-shaped flowers throughout spring. It’s a hardy evergreen plant, guaranteeing tough, dark green leaves all year round. The rhododendron isn’t a picky plant – it will grow in anything from full sun to full shade and in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained, although it prefers acidic ground. You can also use the common rhododendron as a rootstock since it will survive when a grafted species dies.
Finding The Perfect Plants For Full Shade UK Gardens
There are plenty of plants for full shade UK gardens that you can include in the darkest parts of your garden to add a little brightness and colour. If you combine some of our favourites, we’re sure you’ll be proud to show off your shaded garden in no time. All you’ll need then is a wooden bench so you and your friends can sit and admire your newly brightened up garden all summer long!
What are your favourite plants for full shade UK gardens? Let us know your preferred shade loving plants in the comments.
Sources
[i] https://indoorhomegarden.com/how-fast-does-english-ivy-grow/
[ii] https://www.learningwithexperts.com/gardening/blog/hydrangeas-for-shade
[iii] https://homeguides.sfgate.com/common-geraniums-61984.html
[iv] https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/common-witch-hazel/
Anna is the marketing and office manager for Garden Benches – a premium supplier of high-quality wooden benches and other outdoor furniture.
