Brighten up a shady patio

Start seeing these areas as an opportunity and you’ll love the range of plants they can support

Some gardeners are afraid of shade; they see lack of sun as a restriction on what they can grow. But no, shade is an opportunity and we should see it not as a restraint but as providing ideal conditions for some of our loveliest and most colourful plants.

It’s true, of course, that many of our most popular patio plants – petunias, fuchsias, geraniums – enjoy sunshine. But at the same time, so many of our patios and outdoor rooms are partly or even fully shaded and we need beautiful plants to grow there. Fortunately, there are plenty and the range covers shrubs, climbers, perennials and even a few annuals and edibles.

Growing them in containers is the best approach. Patios are often laid over poor soil or hidden builders’ debris and foundations can get in the way when you’re digging planting holes. Planting in containers avoids all those problems and allows you to choose the right compost and know that you’re giving your plants ideal conditions.

Many shade lovers work well as specimens, many look good in thoughtful combinations with a mix of other plants. But perhaps the most effective way to use shade-loving plants in patio pots is to choose an evergreen shrub as a centrepiece – a camellia perhaps or a winter box – and then plant perennials around the edge. This can bring us delightful associations of colour and texture, and the perennials will hide any bare stems at the base of the shrub. Give it a try!