Every garden has some form of shade. A shady space tucked in a corner is a useful spot to put utilities like the dustbins, tool shed or a compost heap. It is also a great place for a wildlife enticing log pile.
A shady part of your garden can also provide a cool oasis of calm in hot weather. As our climate changes we will be needing more shady places to retreat to. Shade-loving shrubs in the garden act as leafy backdrops to neighbouring plants, illuminate shady spots with vibrant flowers, or create a striking impact through their dramatic foliage. Additionally, compact or low-profile shrubs make excellent choices for ground cover.
What kind of shade do you have?
A plant that requires full sun needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Full / Deep Shade refers to areas that receive less than 3 hours direct sun per day in midsummer, such as against a north facing wall or under an evergreen tree. These plants often need to avoid sun during the hottest part of the day.
- Dappled shade is created by sun shining through the leaves and branches of a tree. Plants in dappled shade all day, may receive less than 3 hours of direct sunlight in summer. Others retain their leafy foliage until autumn.
- Partial Shade refers to areas that receive between 3 and 6 hours of direct sun per day in midsummer. It is created by being in the shadow of a structure as the sun moves through the day. Plants for partial shade like to avoid the midday sun in midsummer.
Our Favourite Shade Loving Trees & Shrubs
This list represents trees and shrubs which are appropriate for shady spaces, and are readily available in our Tates of Sussex Garden Centres.
Many of these shrubs listed are grown on our own nursery at Old Barn.
Trees & Shrubs for Deep Shade
- Aucuba
- Camellia
- Euonymus fortunei
- Fatsia
- Leucothoe
- Lonicera nitida
- Mahonia
- Pachysandra
- Rhododendron
- Skimmia
- Taxas baccata
- Viburum tinus
- Vinca
Trees & Shrubs for Dappled Shade
All the plants in the above category, plus:
- Acer palmatum
- Arbutus unedo
- Fuchsia
- Hamamelis x intermedia
- Hypericum
- Hydrangeas
- Kerria japonica
- Sarcococca
- Viburnum plicantum ‘Summer Snowflake’
Trees & Shrubs for Partial Shade
All the plants in the above two categories, plus:
- Amelanchier
- Chaenomeles
- Cornus
- Daphne
- Elaegnus x ebbignei
- Enkianthus
- Ilex aquifolium
- Kalmia
- Lonicera x purpusii
- Nandina
- Osmanthus
- Pieris
- Prunus laurocerasus
- Prunus lusitanica
- Pyracantha
- Viburnum opulus
By understanding the different types of shade and selecting suitable plants, you can transform even the darkest areas of your garden into vibrant, inviting spaces.
Continue your Gardening Journey
Need a little extra advice? Visit your local Tates of Sussex Garden Centre today, where our friendly knowledgeable, team will be happy to help you choose the right plants and offer expert guidance.
