We’re suggesting the following plants that have been selected because they are perfect for this well drained shady border
Choose your favourites from the following hand picked collection and if you need more help click here for my top tips:
HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS
- Epimedium × perralchicum
- Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)
- Geranium macrorrhizum
- Pulmonaria officinalis
- Bergenia cordifolia
- Lamium maculatum
- Tiarella cordifolia
- Brunnera macrophylla
- Ajuga reptans
- Heuchera villosa
- Asarum europaeum
- Anemone nemorosa
- Polygonatum multiflorum
- Alchemilla mollis
- Symphytum grandiflorum
CLIMBERS
- Hedera helix (English Ivy)
- Hedera colchica
- Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea)
- Lonicera henryi
- Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’
- Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)
- Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy)
- Fallopia baldschuanica (Russian Vine)
- Clematis armandii
- Clematis montana
- Jasminum nudiflorum
- Akebia quinata
- Celastrus orbiculatus
- Climbing roses (shade-tolerant types)
- Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’
SHRUBS
- Aucuba japonica
- Sarcococca confusa
- Skimmia japonica
- Mahonia aquifolium
- Viburnum tinus
- Viburnum davidii
- Hydrangea macrophylla
- Ilex aquifolium (Holly)
- Euonymus fortunei
- Cornus alba
- Buxus sempervirens (Box)
- Osmanthus heterophyllus
- Ruscus aculeatus
- Daphne laureol
- Taxus baccata (Yew)
BULBS
- Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)
- Cyclamen hederifolium
- Cyclamen coum
- Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Bluebell)
- Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite)
- Fritillaria meleagris
- Scilla bifolia
- Corydalis solida
- Leucojum vernum (Spring Snowflake)
- Narcissus pseudonarcissus
- Polygonatum odoratum
- Trillium grandiflorum
- Allium ursinum (Wild Garlic)
- Arum italicum ‘Marmoratum’
- Crocus tommasinianus
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
- Carex morrowii
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
- Carex sylvatica
- Carex pendula
- Carex flacca
- Luzula sylvatica
- Luzula nivea
- Melica uniflora
- Milium effusum ‘Aureum’
- Hakonechloa macra
- Deschampsia cespitosa
- Ophiopogon planiscapus
- Briza media
- Sesleria autumnalis
- Molinia caerulea
FERNS
- Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern)
- Dryopteris erythrosora (Copper Shield Fern)
- Dryopteris affinis
- Polystichum setiferum
- Polystichum aculeatum
- Polystichum polyblepharum
- Athyrium niponicum
- Athyrium filix-femina
- Cyrtomium fortunei
- Asplenium scolopendrium
- Asplenium trichomanes
- Blechnum spicant
- Adiantum venustum
- Matteuccia struthiopteris
- Osmunda regalis
When placing the plants, consider their eventual height and spread. If you’re looking for low maintenance then don’t plant a shrub that wants to be massive in a small border by the back door!