HOW TO BRIGHTEN UP A SHADY GARDEN

WATER: Install a small basic fountain in a large plant container filled with water – the glistening water will light up a shady place.

SCENT: Plant fragrant annuals such as nicotiana, or introduce a tub of lilies. For summer-long effect, plant a carpet of the perennial sweet woodruff (asperula odorata).

PATTERNS: Grow variegated shade lovers such as brunnera, pulmonaria or saxifraga stolonifera ‘tricolor’, and surround shady areas with horizontals such as bamboos.

SHAPES: Add drama using large architectural leaves such as fatsia japonica, hosta sieboldiana and the shade-loving Bowles’ golden grass.

FLOWERS: Under a fruit tunnel, pergola or rustic arbour, hang a basket of shade-loving annual flowers such as impatiens.