Brian Minter: The best plants for shaded areas

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As planting season begins, one of the most frequently asked question is: “What can I plant in a shady area?”

It’s not an easy question to answer without learning a few more details, such as: How dark is the area in question? Does it get any sun in summer, even for part of the day? If the area gets no direct sun, is it at least getting good light? This is important because approximately 50 per cent of our gardens will probably experience some degree of shade.

Another issue is the cause of the shade. Is it a building or a large tree with an extensive root system, which could potentially compromise the root systems of any new plants? If the shade is caused by trees, are they yours or do they belong to a neighbour? If they are your trees, is it possible to limb or prune them back to allow more light and sun to penetrate?

Soil is another concern.

Often in shaded areas without any sun, the soil remains damp. Few plants like wet feet, so it would be necessary to work in fir or hemlock bark mulch to raise the soil level and to open up and lighten heavier soils. If larger trees with extensive root systems are creating a situation called ‘dry shade’, these areas, too, can be amended to allow new plants to become established.

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Shade gardens can be beautiful and restful spots.

It’s really a matter of making the right choices. If you have ever walked in a forest, you know how spectacular Mother Nature’s creativity can be. Native plants should be a part of your garden, especially jewels like vine maples (Acer circinatum), one of my favourite plants.

Along with Japanese green maples (Acer palmatum), they both do well in dappled shade, and they will also tolerate hot sun for part of the day. I particularly like the compact Lion’s Mane maple (Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’) because of its stunning crinkly foliage and unique shape. Weeping forms of Japanese maples, like Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Green Cascade’, are ideal for smaller spaces. Most gardeners prefer red Japanese maples but in shady locations, green leafed varieties perform better, and their fall colours are magnificent.

Combining plants with companions that perform well in similar locations is the key to creating lovely displays. Underplanting vine or green Japanese maples with native plants, such as the large family of Oregon grapes, is a must. Compact, evergreen varieties, like Mahonia nervosa or M. repens, not only flower, but their fall and winter colouring nicely accents the bare branches of deciduous trees.

Many often-overlooked plants, when arranged in groupings, create a beautiful and sometimes fragrant presence in shady spots. For example, ferns, especially the evergreen varieties, used as underplantings, add an attractive, natural-looking touch.

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Compact male and female skimmias are a nice addition because of the red berries on the female and in winter the bronze flower buds on the males. Their wonderfully perfumed flowers open in early spring and attract pollinators. From the very compact Sarcococca humilis to the taller S. confusa and S. ruscifolia, no shade garden should be without the winter fragrance of Himalayan sweet box.

The large Fatsia japonica, with its huge maple leaf-like leaves, will add a more tropical look. Their cousins, the Fatshederas, have a more spreading habit. I like to add a little foliage colour with the many varieties of gold leafed Aucuba japonica, particularly A. ‘Gold Dust’ and A. ‘Picturata’ with its large swaths of solid yellow in the leaf.

Most folks think rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias are great shade plants, but in reality, they prefer more light. Variegated Pieris japonicas, especially my favourite variety, P.j. ‘Flaming Silver’ with its white flowers and spectacular new red growth, and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) with its beautiful flowers that open in June when most other evergreen flowering shrubs are finished, are better flowering plants for shady spots.

Today, as we live closer together, privacy is becoming more of a concern. My go-to plant for this type of situation is Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica). It loves shade, grows quickly and its shiny, deep green leaves are very attractive. As it matures, it produces beautiful bronze buds that open with an amazing perfume. Prunus lusitanica ‘Lolita’ is a more compact form. Most laurels provide fast privacy in difficult, even ‘dry shade’ locations, but for overall appearance Portuguese laurels are the best.

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The heavenly bamboo family (Nandinas) is well suited for almost any garden spot. Despite their common name, nandinas are not related to spreading or clumping bamboo, but they have that same wonderful grassy look year-round. Most varieties turn a bright red or burgundy colour in fall and winter. From N. ‘Gulf Stream’, growing 1 metre in height, to N. domestica, stretching up to 2.5 metres tall, they will always be at home in both sunny and shady locations.

If you have an unsightly fence that needs covering, large leafed Persian ivy (Hedera colchica ‘Dentata’) comes in both variegated and rich green varieties. Another jewel, climbing hydrangea (H. petiolaris), with its rich green foliage and stunning white flowers, is truly one of the most beautiful vines. A smaller Japanese version, Schizophragma hydrangeoides comes in both pink and white blossoms.

I can’t list all the great shade-loving trees and shrubs, but I must mention shrub dogwoods for their colourful variegated foliage and beautiful yellow or red winter stems; oak leafed Hydrangea quercifolia, with its stunning flowers and fall colouring; and my favourite hummingbird attractor, the red flowering currants, Ribes sanguineum ‘King Edward VII’ and the native Ribes alpinum.

Next week I will share some of the best new and exciting shade-loving perennials. Stay tuned.