SHADES OF GREEN

Karin says most shade-loving plants need a lot of water, compost-rich soil and a good mulch. “Remember, they have to compete for water and nutrients with the trees under which they grow so give them extra attention and food.”

She likes to grow shade-loving plants with foliage in different shapes, textures and shades of green en masse. Lime-green ferns stand out while the leaf shapes of elephant ear (Calocasia), Hydrangea macrophylla and oak-leaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) add impact.

“My shade beds are also filled with Helleborus, Hosta, a variety of ferns, arum lilies, fairy crassula (Crassula multicava), Philodendron ‘Hope’, spurflower (Plectranthus) and old-fashioned wild rhubarb (Acanthus mollis).”