I'm looking for some plant suggestions for my narrow north-facing backyard, which only gets sunlight from late afternoon until sunset in the summer. The area is shaded most of the time, and I need ideas for large shrubs and climbers that can thrive in pots. Evergreen options would be fantastic, especially since this spot doesn't see any sunlight in winter. I want to maintain a cottage style to match my sunny front garden, so any tips would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Ferns, 'Jack Frost' Brunnera, and Hostas are my top picks for full shade! For a climber, consider a boysenberry. I usually have mine in a sunnier spot, but I think it can handle part shade just fine. They're bushy, grow quickly, produce nice white flowers, and the berries are a huge bonus!
Hydrangea Petiolaris is an excellent choice for a climbing hydrangea that does well in heavy shade. You can train it to grow up a trellis while in a large pot. Camellias are fantastic evergreens for shady areas, and make sure to use ericaceous compost to keep the soil pH balanced. For spring, consider Hellebores to add some color followed by Begonia Semperflorens in summer. Also, ferns are great for bringing life to a shaded spot—they're adaptable to different moisture levels.
I've found that hydrangeas thrive in full shade—they love it! Mine don’t get any direct sunlight, just ambient light, and they're doing great. If you're a fan of hydrangeas, that’s definitely a solid option!
I have the classic bigleaf variety, and they bloom beautifully!
Good to hear! What variety of hydrangea do you have?