Hey everyone! I'm curious if anyone here has successfully grown shrubs in a spot that's completely shaded all the time. I have a wrap-around garden in the north of England, but one area is just bare due to permanent shade from outbuildings. I'm not sure if anything can actually grow without any sunlight. Is it a silly question? I'm fairly new to gardening!
2 Answers
I recently set up a north-facing wildlife border that's mostly shady. Dogwood works really well, and so does alder buckthorn, although that one needs yearly pruning to keep it in check. I also planted some pretty flowers like red campion and foxglove. If you’re up for climbing plants, clematis varieties like 'The President' do great in shade too!
Absolutely, there are lots of shrubs that thrive in complete shade! Some great options include sarracocca, mahonia, viburnum, and camellias. If you want to mix up the look with varying heights and foliage, consider adding fatsia japonica and ferns. Just be mindful of your area size and soil type. The RHS website has a solid list of shade-loving plants you might find helpful!
Thanks a lot! I have enough space to play around, so I'm excited to try these out!