Western Morning News (Saturday)
Five ways to bring dark corners to life
Sam Wylie-Harris gets some great tips for filling dimly-lit spaces from author and shade-plant expert Susanna Grant
1.Climbers
“Although most climbers aren’t suited to deep shade, many like their roots shaded, as they grow towards the sun, and there are some that are definitely suitable for north-facing walls,” explains Susanna.
“If you’re planting them in the ground, make sure they’re around 50cm away from any walls or fences, so they’re not in a rain shadow and can receive rain.
“You also need to give them adequate support. Clematis can look beautiful scrambling through trees, but plant it 1m from the trunk and then train it towards the tree. Pots are fine for most climbers if they’re a generous size – I’d say at least 45cm tall and wide – but you need to ensure they don’t dry out.”
2.Shrubs
Susanna says certain shrubs are small enough and tolerant enough to survive in part shade.
“They’re broadly familiar with being part of the understorey, and therefore making the most of the light that filters down through the trees above them,” she explains.
“It’s worth noting that if they’re planted in pots, shrubs won’t reach the maximum height, which isn’t always a bad thing.”
Susanna’s top three shrubs to style up your small space are chaenomeles speciosa ‘Geisha Girl’ (flowering quince); fatsia polycarpa ‘Green Fingers’ and viburnum x burkwoodii.
3.Ferns
“Ferns are one of the first plants people think of for shade,” says Susanna. “Evergreen options can add structure and winter interest, and the perennials often have the most magical unfurling foliage in
fresh greens, coppery-pinks or silvers – there’s a wonderful variety of foliage shape and size to explore.”
“Some ferns take to dry shade, while some really need to be kept moist – if you don’t let these dry out and mulch them regularly, they’ll work hard.
“Pretty much all ferns grow well in pots, as they have shallow roots. A combination of three ferns with contrasting foliage in a large pot is a winner for a shady corner.”
Susanna’s favourite ferns are adiantum venustum (evergreen maidenhair), dryopteris erythrosora (copper shield fern), and niponicum var. pictum (Japanese painted fern).
4.Grasses
“I love grasses in a shady border,” says Susanna. “They can really lift the planting by adding movement and a more naturalistic vibe, breaking up clumps of ferns or evergreen shrubs. Many work in pots or planters and are invaluable for balcony planting.
“Most grasses can deal with some shade, but do check the requirements, just in case.” Her top three suggestions to up your grass game are hakonechloa macra (Japanese forest grass), luzula nivea (snowy woodrush) and melica uniflora f. albida (Siberian melic).
5.Perennials
“There are so many perennials to choose from. If you like the look of something, do a little research and see if there are other cultivars with colours or heights you prefer,” says Susanna. “Finding the right plants that work for you takes time.
“Since most annuals prefer a sunny spot, perennial plants are essential to the shade gardener. These are wonderful plants that generously return year after year, often bigger and better.”
Susanna’s top three perennials to pretty up your place are begonia grandis subsp. evansiana var. alba (white hardy begonia), thalictrum delavayi ‘Splendide White’ (Meadow rue) and lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’ (white bleeding heart).
■ Shade by Susanna Grant is published by Frances Lincoln, priced £12.99