How do I grow things in a shady garden?

Distinguishing types of shade, choosing plants that genuinely thrive in it, and improving what light there is.

Difficulty: beginner
Time: 1 hr
Read: 2 min

Short answer

Work out whether the shade is dry or damp — that matters more than how dark it is. Dry shade under trees is the hardest; damp shade suits a lot of attractive plants. Choose shade-tolerant species rather than trying to make sun-lovers work, and improve the soil generously.

Shade is not one condition. Damp shade on the north side of a building supports a wide range of plants; dry shade under a mature tree, where the roots take all the moisture, is the genuinely difficult case. Identifying which you have determines everything else.

What you'll need

Organic matter for mulching
Shade-tolerant plants (optional)
Light-coloured paint or mirror for walls (optional)

Step by step

Work out how many hours of direct sun the area gets.Under three hours is shade. Dappled shade under a light canopy is easier than solid shade from a building.
Establish whether it is damp or dry shade.Dry shade under trees and against walls is much harder than damp shade. Dig a hole and see whether it holds moisture.
Improve the soil generously with organic matter.Especially in dry shade, where tree roots have taken everything. Mulch annually rather than digging.
Choose plants that genuinely suit shade rather than merely tolerate it.For damp shade: ferns, hostas, astrantia, hellebores, brunnera. For dry shade: epimedium, euphorbia, geranium macrorrhizum, vinca.
Water new plantings in dry shade for their whole first year.They are competing with established tree roots. Without help they simply lose.
Use foliage rather than flowers for interest.Shade gardens work through leaf shape, texture and variegation. Chasing flowers in deep shade is usually disappointing.
Add light-reflecting elements — pale walls, light gravel, a mirror.They genuinely increase the usable light and make the space feel less enclosed.
Consider thinning tree canopy rather than accepting the shade.Crown lifting or thinning can transform a space. Check for tree preservation orders first.

Tips

Spring bulbs work well under deciduous trees because they flower before the canopy closes.
Light-coloured or variegated foliage shows up far better in shade than dark green, and lifts the whole area.
Containers let you grow things the ground conditions would not support, and can be moved to catch what light there is.

Common mistakes

Treating all shade the same — Dry shade and damp shade suit completely different plants. Getting this wrong is why shade planting fails.
Not watering new plants in dry shade — They are competing with established tree roots and will not establish without help for the first year.
Chasing flowers — Shade gardens work through foliage. Expecting a sunny border's flower display in deep shade leads to disappointment.

Questions people ask

What grows in dry shade under trees?

Epimedium, geranium macrorrhizum, euphorbia amygdaloides, vinca and some ferns cope well. Improve the soil, plant small and water for the first full year.

Can I grow vegetables in shade?

Leafy crops — salad, chard, spinach — manage with around four hours of sun. Fruiting crops like tomatoes and courgettes need six or more and will not produce well in shade.