Garden
Structural evergreens, such as Prunus lusitanica, Buxus, Aucuba japonica, Elaeagnus, Fatsia japonica and Ligustrum lucidum, to name a few, are all good plants for shady areas and can be pruned to shape. Structural shrubs like these will help to add a touch of architecture to a space, divide areas, and bring weight to the garden.
Foliage plants will add an architectural and dramatic look to a shady garden. Hostas are a classic shade plant and, with their textured leaves, will provide you with bold, lush foliage. They look wonderful in pots and are available in a range of leaf colours. Slugs tend to favour hostas, but the blue-leaved varieties fare better. Try ‘Sum and Substance’ or ‘Big Daddy’. Fatsia japonica, or Japanese aralia, can grow to be a fairly substantial 4 x 4m in a shady border, but will also be quite happy in a large container. The glossy sheen on its leaves is an important characteristic when choosing plants for shade, because it will help reflect any available light. For good ground cover, try Pachysandra terminalis, which has a dense, creeping habit, forming a thick mat with its glossy green serrated leaves. Asarum europaeum is also a good, low-growing evergreen, with dark green, heart-shaped leaves. Both these plants work well along the edges of borders and paths. For ground cover with flowers, try Cornus canadensis, with its striking white flowers followed by bright red berries.
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