Innehållsförteckning för Gardening for Shade 2024 från BBC Gardeners' World

We often think shady gardens are challenging and diffcult, but they really needn’t be. Shade presents plenty of opportunities and if you work with it, it’s possible to create a plot that’s full of life and thriving plants. This special edition will get you on the right track and is packed with beautiful blooms that love shady spots, ideas for year-round interest and clever ways to make the most of every space. You’ll also find a raft of inspiration for shade-loving containers – great for instantly brightening a gloomy spot – along with delicious crops to grow if light levels are poor. We’ve got indoors covered too, with house plant recommendations for sunlight-starved rooms – the perfect way to breathe new life into your home. So, what are you waiting…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Astrantias These clump-forming perennials produce pretty pincushion-like flowers in a range of colours, from white through dusky pinks to the rich ruby red of Astrantia major ‘Claret’ (pictured). Keep plants well watered during summer.  Flowers June to August  Height x Spread 90cm x 30cm Box Buxus sempervirens is a slow-growing and tough evergreen that will thrive in light or dense shade. It’s easy to grow in any well-drained soil and can be clipped into various architectural shapes, used as low hedging or left to develop a more natural, shrubby style. H x S 5m x 5m Cyclamen coum Flowering in the depths of winter when little else dares, this delightful hardy cyclamen is invaluable. The flower colour can vary from white to purple, unless…

Ferns – they’re green and lacy, and love the shade, right? But there’s far more to them than that. And it’s all in the detail. If any group of plants teaches us to look closely, then it’s ferns. Let’s consider dryopteris, or wood ferns. Their unfurling fronds form large shuttlecock clumps. Each frond is split into pairs of oppositely arranged leaflets, which are usually split again, and again. And it’s the overall shape of each of these fronds – and then the shape and arrangement of the divisions – that creates the individuality of these fascinating plants. You may see amber, brown or black scales covering the unfurling fronds and stems, and at the end of the season the fronds often take on attractive autumnal shades. Some make tight compact…

How can you resist a snowdrop? One of our best-loved flowers, its dainty beauty and rugged resilience in the face of the worst winter weather has ensured its lasting appeal. Did I say snowdrop singular? At the last count there are over 700 different named varieties of Galanthus, which is remarkable when you consider that they’re all almost entirely white, with just a few, usually green, markings. Most snowdrops bloom in the depths of winter. Growing in prolific clumps under deciduous trees, they work well alongside hardy cyclamen and species crocuses, or in front of hellebores, never failing to delight with their simplicity and charm. While admirable in naturalistic drifts, the diversity of flower shapes, and especially the markings, reward closer inspection. The differences between them may not always be…

Clematis can be a worry. How do you prune them? How big will they grow? Can they cope in shade? Will they smother other plants? Will they get clematis wilt? Well, this species comes with few concerns. Varieties of Clematis viticella are ideal for growing on trellis and along walls, or through evergreen and deciduous hedges and shrubs. They can even be used as ground cover. And they’re happy with their feet in the shade and their tops in partial shade or sun. There’s a wide choice of colours and bicolours, and they all flower in summer and autumn – which brings us to pruning. All are pruned in early spring and, especially when young, you can usually prune the whole plant with just one snip. Simply gather all the stems…

Stars and stripes The boldly striped Phalaris grass makes a striking contrast to the soft and sprawling, free-flowering blend of powdery-blue catmint (Nepeta) and the white form of our native cranesbill. All three perennial favourites need a little sun, so are perfect togther in a border in partial shade. At its peak April to September Plants ❶ Phalaris arundinacea picta x 5 ❷ Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ x 3 ❷ Geranium sanguineum ‘Album’ x 5 Feel the heat Warm up a shady spot with these exciting tropical hues. The flaming orange spires of the isoplexis draw the eye, while its narrow evergreen foliage contrasts with the rounded heuchera, like glowing embers at its feet. The isoplexis is half-hardy, so will need some protection over winter, or in colder areas should be…

➊ Improve sowing and growing Sow your seeds initially in a sunny spot to get your plants off to the best possible start. You can sow them in pots or seedtrays on a bright windowsill, or in the sunniest part of your garden, then transplant them into a shadier spot when the young plants have good strong roots. Choose crops that can be grown up supports and into the light, such as climbing beans and courgette ‘Tromboncino’ – this needs sun to ripen, so train its long trailing stems up a sturdy frame, to lift the fruits into more light.  Grow annual flowers, such as cornflowers and borage, among your veg to attract more pollinating and beneficial insects – there will generally be fewer of these in shady areas. ➋…

Choose the best site If you want to make a pond in a shady garden, choose the spot that gets the most light. Ideally it should be in sun for at least half the day. A pond that’s completely shaded the whole time is likely to become stagnant, as the aquatic plants that supply oxygen to the water need some sun to do so. If the location for your proposed pond is surrounded by trees or large shrubs, try thinning out some of the branches on the south side, to let in more light. Alternatively, consider coppicing nearby trees or even removing a few entirely. Remove leaves If trees and shrubs overshadow your pond, their fallen leaves can accumulate in the water, where they decompose and produce an excess of…

Q Do any shade-tolerant flowers attract wildlife? A To help pollinating insects, aim to have flowers all year round, but avoid double blooms, which often have no nectar. Grow different flower shapes, so that insects of all types are catered for. To create a colourful spring carpet in shade, plant lots of white or pale pink wood anemones, such as Anemone nemorosa ‘Allenii’. In summer, let free-flowering hardy geraniums and astrantias, such as ‘Large White’, take over the baton. Q Can you suggest some low maintenance groundcover combinations? A An easy option is wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides robbiae), Symphytum ‘Hidcote Blue’ or sweet violets (Viola odorata). More exciting, but a little more effort too, would be a sea of glaucous-leaved Euphorbia myrsinites, punctuated with biennials and perennials such as biennial…

Easy combinations Cornus & carex Winter can be a bit drab, so bright colours are invaluable, especially in shade. The scorching hot stems of dogwoods do the job admirably, underplanted with soft evergreen grasses. Cyclamen & Skimmia japonica Red is the perfect colour for perking up a dark spot. Combine scarlet-flowered cyclamen with evergreen Skimmia japonica reevesiana, with its clusters of glossy berries. Rubus & ophiopogon The white stems of this scrambling bramble, Rubus cockburnianus, look spectacular in winter light, contrasting with lowgrowing black grass, Ophiopogon.…

Thirty years ago, the best hellebores were rare and expensive. Propagated mainly by painstaking division, they were only available from one or two specialist nurseries, and the varieties sold in garden centres were unpredictable in colour and poor in quality. How things have changed. Inspired hybridisation, supported by new propagation techniques and refinements to traditional procedures, has led to the widespread availability of beautifully coloured and prettily patterned varieties of the highest quality. True, they’re still not the cheapest of perennials, but their long flowering season – many new varieties start to flower before Christmas – and attractive foliage add value that justifies the price. They also thrive in shady positions and are perfect for planting beneath deciduous trees. A striking development is the arrival of new hybrids between distantly…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ The perfect low-maintenance ground cover, this spreading perennial has attractive foliage that adds rich, glossy colour to borders all year round. It also sends up short spikes of attractive dark blue flowers in late spring. Flowers April to June Height x spread 15cm x 45cm Bergenia x schmidtii This bergenia thrives in deep shade and will tolerate cold winds and poor soil. It produces clusters of cup-shaped, pink flowers through spring and its large glossy evergreen leaves develop a maroon tint during winter. Flowers April to May H x S 30cm x 60cm Brunneras Reliably tough, even in poor soil, these perennials have a daintier side, with pretty forget-me-not flowers in spring. Give them moist but well-drained soil. The variety ‘Jack…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Begonias These flamboyant plants will perk up any hanging basket. They flower abundantly and will keep going until the first frosts. Choose varieties that beam out from the shade – pale lemons and gold, rather than dark reds. Flowers July to October  Height x spread 30cm x 45cm Busy Lizzies Many bedding plants need sun, so Impatiens is a handy option for pots and hanging baskets in shadier positions. They come in a choice of colours and will flower continuously all summer long. Flowers May to September H x S 60cm x 60cm Cut-leaved Japanese maple Thriving in dappled shade, Acer palmatum (Dissectum Group) is very happy in a large pot. Position this small tree by your door or as a focal point, where…

How to plant up your pot Planting up your container is an easy, fun and creative process. Follow these simple steps to make sure your pot provides the right conditions for all your plants to thrive and that you arrange them in the best way to show them off to full advantage. Gather everything you need before you start – a nice large pot, peat-free soil-based compost and a selection of shade-loving plants. Then once planted, water the container regularly. Any plants that eventually outgrow the pot can be moved into a shady border. 1 Ensure your container has plenty of drainage holes in the base – drill more if necessary. Place it in its final position, as it’ll be heavy to move once planted up. Fill it two-thirds full…

It’s easy to assume that growing fruit and vegetables is simply not possible if you have a shady garden. Just about every veg-growing book commands sun for success. But don’t despair – by working out how much shade you have and choosing your crops carefully, you can grow a wide range of delicious edibles. Of course, sun-loving crops such as tomatoes, courgettes and sweetcorn are never going to thrive in deep shade, but there are still plenty of other options that will produce good harvests without full sun – so you could soon be picking juicy blackberries, tasty beetroot, aromatic mint and much more. There are several ways to improve your chances of success too. These include painting your walls and fences a pale colour to amplify the light. You…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Blackberries These are the best soft fruits for shade. Train the stems along a wall or fence, or grow a compact variety in a pot. You’ll get bigger, earlier fruits from cultivated varieties rather than wild plants. For easy picking, try thornless ‘Loch Ness’ or ‘Helen’.  Plant November to March  Harvest July to October Blackcurrants These plants are easy to grow and produce a heavy crop of glossy currants that are rich in vitamin C. Plants tolerate light shade and can be grown in the ground or in large pots. Prolific croppers include ‘Ben Connan’ and ‘Ben Hope’.  Plant October to March  Harvest June to August Cherries Acid cherries grow well when trained against north-facing walls and can also be planted in containers. ‘Morello’…

Cover bare soil with mulch Apply mulch to damp soil, ideally after steady rainfall, and it will help to hold the moisture in the soil. Never apply to dry soil. A 6-8cm layer is ideal – anything more is a waste of money and effort – and leave a gap of at least 5cm around plant stems to avoid rotting. Organic mulches, such as garden compost, are the most beneficial, adding small amounts of nutrients and lots of fibrous material, which is essential for good soil structure. This in turn attracts earthworms, which further improve the soil. Hold moisture in dry soil Dry soil often contains sand, which means it drains quickly, can dry out in summer, and lacks nutrients. On the plus side, it’s easy to dig at any time…

Easy combinations Aquilegia & hardy geranium This magenta Geranium psilostemon is a perfect match for pink aquilegias. Both of these plants will thrive in a shady spot, providing a splash of colour in early summer. Hosta & hart’s tongue fern These foliage plants are the ideal solution for areas of tricky shade in summer. They add interest for months and grow into large, lush clumps in the limited light beneath trees. Astrantia & ferns White flowers shine out particularly well in shade, and pretty Astrantia ‘Shaggy’ looks all the brighter with a backdrop of lush green ferns. Astrantias are happy in shade and flower from June to August.…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Anemone blanda Plant the tubers shallowly in autumn to enjoy the pretty daisy-like flowers in early spring. They can be violet-blue, pink or white, and combine well with yellow winter aconites and Cyclamen coum, to liven up areas at the base of shrubs. Flowers March to April Height x Spread 15cm x 15cm Angelica A great architectural plant, Angelica archangelica reaches around a metre tall with deeply cut leaves and huge, rounded, bright green flowerheads. This biennial self-seeds readily after flowering and will cope in deep shade. Flowers June to July  H x S 1.2m x 1.5m Asarum europaeum A great little ground-cover plant with glossy, distinctly rounded foliage and hairy purple flowers in midsummer. It’s low maintenance too, and will grow well in deep…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Aquilegias Flourishing in dappled shade, aquilegias come in many pretty colours and flower shapes. Stalwarts of the cottage garden, they are equally at home in a woodland setting, where they self-seed happily. Flowers May to June  Height x Spread 90cm x 45cm Bloodroot Any cool, shady location suits this little North American woodlander, Sanguinaria canadensis. Each bloom is a perfect rosette of white petals, opening just a few centimetres from the ground, above clasping leaves. Flowers March to April H x S 15cm x 30cm Bluebells Plant this fragrant native wildflower, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, for a sea of blue beneath trees and shrubs in spring. The bulbs will multiply happily in the dappled shade of deciduous trees, in moist but well-drained soil. Flowers April to…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Berberis Brighten up a dark spot with berberis, which has yellow flowers in spring, red-tinged foliage and bright red berries in autumn. This shrub makes a good informal hedge and windbreak, and a useful barrier because of its thorns. Flowers April to May  Height x spread 1.5m x 60cm Black-eyed Susan This beautiful annual climber, Thunbergia alata, is extremely versatile, bringing its sunny charms to shady places. Raise it from seed indoors in spring, then plant it out into pots or borders after the last frost.  Flowers July to October  H x S 2.4m x 60cm Camellias The aristocrats of the early spring garden, camellias bring style and glamour at a time when it’s most unexpected. Shrugging off the winter cold, tough evergreen Camellia x…

There are some perennials that every garden should have, and pulmonarias are one of them. These resilient small plants have attractive foliage and produce bee-friendly flowers in a choice of pretty colours. Related to forget-me-nots (but more permanent) and comfrey (but less invasive), pulmonarias are tough, semi-evergreen, low-growing perennials that make slow-spreading clumps of usually silver-spotted foliage in shady spots. From late winter into early summer, they produce clusters of tiny bell-like flowers held in one-sided uncoiling heads. And bees love them. The flower colours range from rich blue (‘Blue Ensign’) to pastel pink (‘Dora Bielefeld’), bright red (‘Redstart’) to white (‘Sissinghurst White’). There’s even one with striped blooms (‘Barfield Pink’). The leaves make an attractive feature too – rough and raspy, they’re usually speckled with silver (‘Trevi Fountain’), occasionally…

Simply elegant Windowboxes don’t need to be crammed with a million different plants to look good. Restrict your planting for a clean, contemporary look. Here, shade-loving hellebores are set off by simple cyclamen in complementary colours, with small pine trees adding height at the back. We used Helleborus x hybridus x 2, Cyclamen coum x 8, dwarf pines x 3, trough 60cm wide Spring celebration Purple and yellow is a classic colour combination, making these cowslips and anemones perfect partners for a spring display on a shady windowsill. Welcome in the new gardening season with this cheery duo that provide flowers from March through to May. You can scale this combination up or down, depending on how large your windowbox is. We used Cowslips (Primula veris) x 7, Anemone blanda…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Beetroot Beetroot is tolerant of shade, but to get plants off to a strong start, sow seeds in modules in bright conditions, then transplant once they’re growing well. Sweet-tasting ‘Boltardy’ is a reliable variety, or try orange ‘Burpee’s Golden’.  Sow March to July  Harvest July to November Broad beans Hardy overwintering crops such as broad beans, which get off to a quick start in spring, can cope in dappled shade. Early maturing ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ is ready to pick a month earlier than other varieties.  Sow October to November, February to March  Harvest May to July Cabbages All brassicas are tolerant of shade, so as well as cabbages why not grow broccoli, spring greens and Brussels sprouts? Sow the seeds in spring for late-season cropping.…

Deep shade Dappled shade Partial shade Plant a herb container for a shady spot A large terracotta pot filled with herbs makes an aromatic, tasty and attractive addition to any shady patio or doorway. Where direct sunshine is limited, choose soft, leafy herbs that could get scorched in strong light. These grow best in rich, damp compost or soil. Growing several herbs together like this also helps to save space and makes picking sprigs easy and convenient, as you can stand the pot right outside your door. Simply buy potted herbs from garden centres and supermarkets – or grow some, such as parsley, from seed in spring. Once planted, they’ll need little maintenance apart from regular picking to keep them compact and stimulate new leaves, and regular watering. In the…