shade-loving plants

[queen of the cobs]

We've just moved house and I have a garden for the first time since I left home, oh, 15 years ago! Although we've only been here a couple of months, I think it's going to be quite a shady garden, especially as there is a huge tree overhanging from the neighbours on one side (looks like it might be some kind of cherry though, so will prob be quite pretty so don't mind!) And I think I'll get a bit of sun in one corner

Could you give some advice on flowers that like the shade? I've grown some foxgloves from seed since last summer - I know they won't flower this year but I thought I'd plant them out in the shady spots, as they should be nice for next year? I think they like the shade?

Anyway, all advice very gratefully received, thanks.

[Flummery]

My cutting garden - to be raised from seeds this year - is mainly shaded due to a neighbour's hedge so I don't expect a huge success from some plants. I still think it's worth a go to find out which can cope. I'm growing lady's mantle just becasue I love it in any bunch of flowers - that's fine in the shade. I also want Arum Italicum Pictum for the beautifully marked leaves - looking for that on next Garden Centre visit! Just about anything that normally grows in a hedgerow will do ok - for example bluebells and of course your foxgloves. I'm also growing some sunflowers in the hope that they'll eventually reach above the shade-line! The hedge is about 4 ft tall.

[terrier]

One of my favourite shady plants is lavetera grown as an annual. They flower late when the summer bedding plants are finishing.

[Flummery]

For bedding and colour, busy lizzies and fibrous rooted begonias are really good do-ers in shade too.

[queen of the cobs]

thanks everyone - this will keep me busy when I next go garden shopping!

[Herbie]

If you want plants that have structure and flower try some hostas. In morrisons you can get 8 different ones for £2.99, they will need to be protected from slugs. Once they bulk up they are ok and produce lilac coloured flowers.

Astrantia like the shade and have interesting flowers.
Astibe also like shade, you can get them in red,pink or white.
Hellebores in the spring look stunning under trees and you can get a variety of different colours.

[Flummery]

Oh I LOVE astrantias. I have the old-fashioned white flowering one and a deeper red one - garnet, I think. I hforgot about tis - I can split my garnet and add a bit to the new bed. Thanks for the reminder Herbie!

[Madasafish]

We have growing in shade under trees:
hosta, lots of bluebells (like thousands), poppies, Rose of Sharon, aubretia (edges of path), lily of the valley,

[janeyo]

If you find it's not a fruiting cherry and is taking too much of your much needed sun, then I would chop it back to the fence and gain more light.

janeyo

[heebiejeebie]

I have hellebores, euphorbia and sedum in the shady bit between my apple tree and hedge. And too much ivy.

[jeannine]

toad lilies are very happy in the shade and have lovely little flowers.