The following plants have been selected as they are perfect for this shady north facing border

Choose your favourites from the following hand picked collection:

Climbers

Great for vertical interest, trellises, arches or trained along walls.

  1. Hedera helix (Common Ivy) – evergreen, self-clinging and very wildlife-friendly. The older foliage is great for Christmas decs too.
  2. Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris – self-clinging, deciduous, white lace-cap flowers. A Bestall favourite for shady fences and walls.
  3. Clematis ‘Bill MacKenzie’ – vigorous, good in partial shade, who doesn’t love a Clematis!
  4. Clematis alpina – early flowering and delicate. For those who appreciate detail.
  5. Clematis montana ‘Grandiflora’ – large, white flowers, tolerates shade. Perfect for the impatient gardener (but be warned it will keep on growing!)
  6. Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) – stunning autumn colour.  Its a little rampant but has stunning leaves.
  7. Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine) – semi-evergreen, scented.  More unusual, for those into their plants.
  8. Rosa ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’ – shade-tolerant climbing rose. White, simple and almost evergreen.
  9. Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ – flowers fade in full sun so it’s perfect for shade
  10. Lathyrus latifolius (Perennial Sweet Pea) – climbing habit, reliable and colourful to boot.

Shrubs

Perfect for adding green architecture and softening boundaries.

  1. Chaenomeles x superba – beautiful spring blossom but a little thorny
  2. Pyracantha ‘Red Column’ – evergreen, can be trained on walls and the birds love the berries
  3. Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’ – evergreen, red flower buds in winter (requires an acidic soil so may be better in a pot!)
  4. Sarcococca confusa – highly fragrant, evergreen.  Perfect for scenting the winter air.
  5. Mahonia × media ‘Charity’ – bold architectural foliage, beautiful yellow scented winter flowers and its evergreen!
  6. Camellia japonica – spring blooms, glossy leaves.  Needs acidic soil so consider adding sulphur chips to the soil when planting.
  7. Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ – bold yellow-green leaves
  8. Fatsia japonica – exotic foliage, shade-tolerant and evergreen
  9. Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ – low maintenance ground cover, perfect to brighten up gloomy ground
  10. Viburnum tinus – evergreen with winter flowers that smells divine.  Quite a large shrub so give it some space
  11. Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ – variegated, architectural and perfect for adding fairy lights.
  12. Hamamelis mollis – fragrant witch hazel for winter interest

Herbaceous Perennials

Seasonal interest, texture and colour for your lower layers.

  1. Helleborus orientalis – early flowering, evergreen foliage
  2. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ – silver-veined leaves
  3. Pulmonaria ‘Blue Ensign’ – bold colour in spring
  4. Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ – delicate yellow flowers
  5. Geranium phaeum ‘Samobor’ – dark flowers, beautiful foliage
  6. Tiarella cordifolia – frothy white blooms, good ground cover
  7. Astrantia major ‘Shaggy’ – shade-tolerant, delicate umbels
  8. Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ – spreads nicely under trees
  9. Bergenia cordifolia – large glossy leaves, bright flowers
  10. Hosta ‘Francee’ – slug-watch but gorgeous
  11. Alchemilla mollis – soft, frothy filler
  12. Anemone nemorosa – woodland native
  13. Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ – evergreen, colour contrast
  14. Digitalis purpurea – classic woodland spire
  15. Liriope muscari – grass-like foliage and late blooms

Bulbs

Pop colour, seasonality, and naturalising potential.

  1. Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop) – classic late winter
  2. Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite) – bright yellow carpets
  3. Leucojum aestivum (Summer Snowflake) – elegant white bells
  4. Cyclamen coum – early colour, great for underplanting
  5. Cyclamen hederifolium – autumn bloomer
  6. Narcissus ‘Thalia’ – graceful, shade-tolerant daffodil
  7. Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Bluebell) – ideal for naturalising
  8. Scilla siberica – blue flowers in early spring
  9. Anemone blanda – cheerful and early
  10. Corydalis solida – lovely purple clusters
  11. Trillium grandiflorum – slow-growing, woodland stunner
  12. Camassia leichtlinii – great for damp shade
  13. Fritillaria meleagris – chequered beauty, thrives in moist shade
  14. Allium ursinum (Wild Garlic) – lovely foliage and edible too
  15. Muscari armeniacum – small, easy to tuck in

Grasses

Movement, softness, contrast, especially effective in modern schemes.

  1. Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ – the queen of shade grasses
  2. Luzula nivea – soft white flower heads, evergreen
  3. Carex elata ‘Aurea’ – golden sedge
  4. Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ – tidy and bright
  5. Anemanthele lessoniana – arching bronze tones
  6. Deschampsia cespitosa – soft clouds of seed heads
  7. Melica uniflora f. albida – lovely woodland grass
  8. Millium effusum ‘Aureum’ – brilliant acid-green in spring
  9. Sesleria autumnalis – clean lines, soft look
  10. Carex testacea – orange-bronze tones
  11. Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ – black grass for contrast
  12. Briza media – delicate trembling seed heads
  13. Festuca amethystina – compact and tidy
  14. Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ – upright, airy feel
  15. Molinia caerulea ‘Moorhexe’ – great for form and light-catching

Ferns

Structure, grace, and that quintessential woodland vibe.

  1. Dryopteris affinis ‘Cristata The King’ – majestic, hardy
  2. Polystichum setiferum – soft textured, semi-evergreen
  3. Asplenium scolopendrium – glossy hart’s tongue
  4. Matteuccia struthiopteris – shuttlecock form, bold presence
  5. Athyrium niponicum var. pictum – Japanese painted fern
  6. Dryopteris filix-mas – the classic male fern
  7. Blechnum spicant – hardy, with arching fronds
  8. Polypodium vulgare – thrives on banks or walls
  9. Adiantum venustum – maidenhair fern for cooler spots
  10. Cyrtomium fortunei – holly fern, great texture
  11. Osmunda regalis – loves damp conditions

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!