Carol Klein explains why shade lovers are so entrancing
It offers a marvellous opportunity to grow some of the most entrancing plants on the planet!
Shade is often seen as a major problem, and one shared by most gardeners. It may be cast by man-made objects – buildings, walls or fences, or by plants – hedges, trees and shrubs. In urban gardens it’s often a combination of both – shade from house walls, compounded by that cast by trees. At ground level this may result in large, shadowy areas with dry, impoverished soil, reason enough for most of us to wring our hands and gnash our teeth. But before anyone throws in the horticultural trowel, it’s worth looking at how Mother Nature deals with similar circumstances.
There a are numerous plants throughout the temperate world that have evolved, along with the trees, not only to cope with dry shade but also to revel in it.
Top of the list are the epimediums. It’s difficult to understand why this should be such an underused family, since all are perfectly amenable to shade and most are impervious to dry conditions. As winter progresses, the leaves of hybrids, such as Epimedium rubrum and Epimedium versicolor, becomes burnished and more and more highly polished. In early spring I have to steel myself to cut the stems down to ground level.
‘Top of the list are the epimediums. It’s difficult to understand why this is such an underused family’
They’re still beautiful but if they’re left alone, the new flowers that are already formed at their bases will have to fight their way through and nail scissors and large amounts of patience will be needed to extract the old leaves.
Flowers in April are swiftly followed by new foliage and the new leaves of epimediums are a delight, so thin as to be almost translucent with all the tenderness and freshness associated with the spring. The flowers are exquisite, many to a stem. Some, especially the Asiatic species, have long spurs, which gives them a sci-fi look. They’re the grounddwelling members of the mahonia and berberis family.
Mahonia aquifolium is one of the best taller ground-covering plants for really dry shade, pukka throughout the year with lustrous, purple-tinted foliage in the winter, spikes of cheery yellow flowers, scented like lily-of-the-valley and followed by dark berries with a blue bloom which taste like blackcurrants!
Another bomb-proof subject for dry shade is the periwinkle, vinca. V. major is big and buxom, while V. minor slightly more sedate. Both will extend stems, taking root as they go and clothing the ground, and neither
needs help. In the early part of the year through until April their dense stems are spangled with soft blue flowers. Close to Glebe Cottage, a north-facing bank, 5m (16ft 6in) high and 10m (33ft) across, is smothered in its luxuriant growth. These evergreen, ground-covering plants can be relied on to put on a good show all year – even in the most inauspicious circumstances. Almost totally self-reliant, they’re a dream come true for city gardeners with little time on their hands.
At the other end of the summer, leaves begin to thin out and another range of woodlanders exploit additional daylight. Many of these plants cope brilliantly with the sort of shade cast by buildings. One of the best examples are the group of Asiatic anemones, usually known as Japanese anemones. Their elegant, chalice-shaped blooms, in shades of pink and white, are prolifically produced. Another Asiatic plant, moist shade-loving Kirengeshoma palmata, has drooping, softyellow bells on tall stems. It’s a class act and proves that far from shady places presenting insurmountable problems, they offer a marvellous opportunity to grow some of the most entrancing plants on the planet.