Top Shrubs Suitable for Growth in Shaded Areas
For gardeners seeking to bring life and colour to their shady spots, renowned gardening experts Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh offer invaluable advice. Here, we've compiled a list of recommended shrubs based on their guidance from various magazine issues and shows.
Hydrangeas, particularly dark-flowered varieties, are a popular choice for shady areas. Their leafy backdrop makes them an excellent choice when not in bloom, but when in flower, they shine out, especially in shady areas with white flowers. Monty Don recommends planting these early in the gardening year for a striking display in the shade [3].
Another shrub that thrives in shady, moist soil is the Bupleurum fruticosum. Known for its leathery foliage and summer flowering, this Mediterranean shrub is perfect for dry, shaded spots [1][3].
Monty Don also suggests ornamental grasses, astilbe, and salvias in partial shade, while Alan Titchmarsh's advice often supports planting shrubs like hydrangeas, Bupleurum fruticosum, and other shade-loving perennials and shrubs [2][3].
For instant color in dappled shade, Monty Don recommends the lacecap hydrangea 'Lanarth White' and a Japanese snowball bush, Viburnum plicatum 'Summer Snowflake' [1].
If you're looking for ground cover, Pachysandra, a small genus of dwarf evergreen shrubs, is particularly useful in dry shade [1]. Chaenomeles, or Japanese quince, are more than happy growing in shade, and their flowers are a real delight in spring [1].
Many viburnums will do well in a shady spot. Examples include Viburnum davidii, Viburnum tinus, Viburnum opulus, and Viburnum x bodnantense [1].
Shrubs growing in shade perform various functions, including serving as a leafy foil to other plants, lighting up dark areas with bright flowers, impressing with dramatic foliage, and serving as ground cover. They can also be trained against a wall, like Chaenomeles [1].
For a comprehensive list of shade-friendly shrubs, look no further than the pages of BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Issues often include hydrangeas, rhododendrons, cornus, and certain types of ferns and evergreen shrubs [1].
In summary, the recommended shrubs for shady areas from Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh are:
- Hydrangeas (especially dark-flowered varieties)
- Bupleurum fruticosum (for dry, shaded spots)
- Shade-tolerant ornamental shrubs and perennials like salvias and astilias in partial shade settings [1][2][3]
- Pachysandra
- Chaenomeles
- Many viburnums
Hydrangeas can be purchased from J Parker's, Thompson & Morgan, Crocus, Sarah Raven, and Hayloft. Chaenomeles can be found at J Parker's, Thompson & Morgan, and Crocus.
For more detailed advice, watch Alan Titchmarsh's video on his five favorite shrubs for shade in a clip from BBC Gardeners' World Magazine [1].
Further expanding your home-and-garden lifestyle, consider adding shade-loving shrubs to your home-garden. The home-grown charm of hydrangeas and Bupleurum fruticosum, among other shade-tolerant ornamental shrubs and perennials like salvias and astilbe, will undoubtedly enhance the ambiance in your garden's shady spots. To find these delightful additions, explore reputable gardening outlets such as J Parker's, Thompson & Morgan, Crocus, Sarah Raven, and Hayloft.
