Description of shade-loving plants for the vegetable garden with 60 photos

Shaded corners - next to a high fence, in the northern part of the garden or in the thick of bushes - look abandoned and depressing. But if you plant plants there, the space will come to life and sparkle with bright colors. There are fewer representatives of flora adapted to shade than sun lovers. But even in this group there are enough decorative deciduous and beautifully flowering species, descriptions, names and photos of which are given in the article.

A shady corner attracts coolness

Types of shadow

Light, like water and nutrition, is necessary for flowers and trees to grow, but seedlings need lighting in different ways. Some bushes like to grow in direct sunlight. Such plantings are shaded after planting - for adaptation to a new location. Others cannot tolerate bright sun. Shade-loving and shade-tolerant plants are grown in the garden. These types of crops are usually distinguished in biology:

• shade-loving plants (lilies of the valley, ferns) develop better in shade than in open sunny areas: the leaves become bright and juicy;
• shade-tolerant (peonies, scillas) love light, but tolerate shadow; Five hours of lighting in the morning or evening is enough for development; flowering ends quickly.

Sometimes gardeners combine these concepts in their speech; they call this any non-capricious planting that grows without access to the bright rays of the sun. In order for crops to fully develop, the planting site is chosen depending on the degree of illumination.

deep shadow

If a tall house is built on the territory, outbuildings are built nearby, tall trees with a dense crown are planted, then bright rays do not penetrate the garden. Because of this, even on sunny days the site looks gloomy. The space next to a fence or between buildings is the worst place to plant plants. But even here, marsh and red-brown geraniums, oak anemone, and ferns take root.

Anemone oak forest

Shadow

The sun shines into the shady garden for 2 or 3 hours every day. In such conditions, shade-loving plantings survive: ferns, lilies of the valley.

Penumbra

Here the sun stays up to four hours a day - early in the morning or in the evening. Partial shade is found next to the fence or near the house. In the northern part of the garden, next to coniferous plants or bushes with a dense crown, plantings take root that at noon need protection from bright light (bergenia, phlox, cornflower).

Scattered Shadow

Diffused lighting, in which the sparse crowns of bushes and trees allow light to pass through, is liked by most garden crops.

Reference! Moisture-loving crops take root in shady corners. It is worth carefully considering the compatibility of seedlings: some species emit substances that slow down growth and suppress the development of neighboring plantings.

Peonies on the site

How to care for shade-tolerant plants?

A flower garden created in the shade requires a special approach. To achieve lush greenery and abundant flowering, the usual care measures are carried out, but the emphasis is different:

• Many plants growing in the shade love moisture; they may often lack it, especially in hot weather. During this period, it is necessary to provide them with watering, without waiting for the leaves to wither.
• All plants, except wild ones, need feeding. If there is insufficient lighting, nitrogen fertilizers should be used carefully, otherwise an excess of them can cause thickening and stretching of plants.
• The soil also needs to be prepared for creating a shade-loving flower garden. If it is loam, then you can lighten it by adding sand and peat. In loose soil, it will be much easier for shade-tolerant plants to absorb moisture, because many of these species have shallow roots.
• To avoid infection with various diseases and parasites that love dark and damp places, do not allow the development of weeds, accumulation of debris, and do not thicken the plantings. Feed with phosphorus and potassium to increase plant immunity.

Shade-tolerant plants can be a real gift for the gardener - they can be grown without putting in excessive effort, and they are often even more beautiful than all other plantings. A rich variety of species makes it possible to choose something that best suits the taste or style of your garden.

Ferns

Hardy species with graceful openwork foliage are planted in the garden. Corners deep in the plot, next to a fence or house, are suitable for planting. The main thing is to find a shaded place with acidic soil. In an open, sunny lawn, leaf growth slows down; on a summer afternoon, the fronds burn out and lose their decorative effect. Examples of ferns that are often grown in the country:

Adiantum stopiform

Heat-loving species. It is found naturally in the Caucasus, Crimea and Central Asia. Loves high humidity. In hot weather, spray with settled water in the evenings.

Adiantum stopiform

Ostrich

Unpretentious. Planted next to an artificial pond or in a flowerbed as a background for low-growing flowers. Tolerates cold temperatures down to -12℃, but suffers in the heat. The height of spreading bushes in the northern regions is up to 150 cm, in the southern regions - up to 400 cm.

Orlyak

Frost-resistant variety with large leaves (in the southern regions the length reaches 2 m). Bushes grow quickly, so they set limits. Young shoots resemble a shaggy long leg. The fronds contain toxic substances.

Nippon Kochedyzhnik

An original fern with silver leaves decorated with purple veins. Decorative effect appears in diffused lighting. Shelter for the winter.

Nippon Kochedyzhnik
Additional information! To contain the vigorous growth of ferns, the bushes are fenced with a mini-fence, the height of which is 0.2 - 0.25 m (the size of the above-ground and underground parts and the length of the rhizome are taken into account). The fence is installed at a distance of 7–10 cm from the planting. The frequency of watering is reduced so that the perennial does not direct energy to growth.

Unpretentious shade-loving flowers for apartments and houses

There are many unpretentious plants that thrive in partial shade. These, for example, include high aspidistra, soleirolia, crescent polygonum, ophiopogon, large-leaved podocarp.

Aspidistra tall

A shade-loving plant, very unpretentious, capable of growing even in significant shade. For good development, high aspidistra requires regular watering, fertilizing, and a temperature of 10 to 25 ° C. Transplants are carried out every few years using the transshipment method. Flowers on the plant appear rarely, on small peduncles located on the surface of the soil.

Saltirolia (helxina)

It is a low ground cover plant with many thin, densely leafy shoots. In a wide pot it forms a spherical bush; it looks impressive in the lower tier when planted with large plants; its compact size allows it to be used when creating a bottle garden. Suitable for growing in a north window or in partial shade.

Fern crescent (fern cirtomium)

The popular name of the plant is holly or fishtail. This is a shade-loving plant for northern windows or corners of a room with diffused lighting. In bright light, shoot growth stops. Cytomium requires regular watering and spraying of leaves.

Ophiopogon

This plant is also called Japanese lily of the valley. Ophiopogon is a shade-tolerant plant, develops well in both intense and soft light, can withstand both hot and cool weather, and prefers frequent moistening of the soil and air.

Podocarp macrophylla

The plant is also called footcarp. In natural conditions, these are large shrubs with decorative leaves and a dense crown. Podocarp macrophylla is often used for growing bonsai. It can be located next to a south window or on an east or west window sill.

In winter, it feels better in a cool room away from heating devices.

Annuals for planting in the shade

Shade-tolerant annuals that do not bloom are grown in deep shade. In partial shade, elegant flower beds are created from flowering seedlings. Blooms for a long time in light partial shade:

• ageratum;
• fragrant tobacco;
• balsam;
• nasturtium;
• chamomile;
• cosmos.

This list also includes annuals that are planted under trees: nasturtium, lobelia, ever-flowering begonia. Lush bright bushes cover the withered foliage of bulbous plants planted in the tree trunk area. Impatiens and ever-flowering begonia are often cultivated as houseplants, which, with proper care, live for more than 5 years.

Begonia everblooming

Chlorophytum

This plant is unpretentious and blooms with white flowers. In summer, it must be watered generously twice a week and sprayed regularly. In winter, watering once a week is enough. Chlorophytum perfectly purifies the air, absorbing carbon dioxide and formaldehyde and releasing oxygen. It feels best in partial shade; in a completely dark room, chlorophytum loses the white stripes on the leaves.

Sod crops

A striking feature of seedlings from this group is rapid growth. Examples of graceful ground cover flowers:

• creeping tenacious;
• ivy-shaped budra;
• lungwort;
• fragrant bedstraw;
• European ivy.

Ground covers are used to fill tree trunk areas and the lower tier of shady flower beds to suppress the growth of weeds.

Pachysandra apex

Evergreen low-growing seedlings with straight branches. In the Moscow region they grow up to 0.25 m. They quickly cover the soil, protecting against erosion and washout. Dark green dense leaves form a lush rosette. Small snow-white flowers are collected in spikes (length - 50 mm). Grows in any conditions, tolerates cold temperatures down to -29℃.

Pachysandra apex

Saxifraga rotundifolia

Height with peduncle – 0.3 m. From the second ten days of May to the end of August, white flowers with red dots in the center stand out against the background of dark green jagged leaves.

Periwinkle

Evergreen ground cover. The height of the creeping bushes is 5–7 cm. Every year the length of the shoots increases by 0.9 m. It blooms with blue single flowers from mid-May to mid-June. The emerald leathery leaves shine. An unpretentious plant: tolerates deep shade and bright sun. Young bushes are covered with fallen leaves for the winter.

Reference! Pinching shoots accelerates the growth of lateral shoots and enhances the splendor of flowering. Remove dried flowers regularly.

Periwinkle

Dracaena Sandera

This plant is one of the easiest to maintain and thrives in low light conditions. Its other name is “lucky bamboo”. Dracaena Sandera feels good in the dark, but it needs some light. This plant is quite popular due to the ability to create various decorative shapes from its stem (usually a spiral). When moving the lucky bamboo to a brighter or darker place, you need to do it gradually, moving it a little every day. The leaves of dracaenas in a dark place acquire a light green tint.

Shade Tolerant Grasses

Ornamental grasses take root in the shaded parts of the garden:

Fescue

A shade-tolerant grass plant with green, olive or bluish leaves forming a round, bushy bush. The length of each herbaceous leaf is 0.35–0.4 m, width at the base is up to 1.45 cm. The leaf gradually narrows and resembles a needle at the top. In July, loose panicles with grains form on long peduncles. Planted in rock gardens, next to conifers, along paths.

Sedge

Herbaceous perennial. Leaf color is greenish, purple-black or pale brown. The width of the plate is 0.2 - 1.5 cm, length - 30 - 100 cm. The main general characteristic of the species is the sharp edges of the xiphoid plates. Loves diffused lighting and moisture-permeable soil with a neutral or slightly acidic acidity level. Planted in mixborders, rock gardens, and coastal areas of water bodies.

Garden sedge

Ozhika snowy

Evergreen cereal crop. Loves moisture and shady areas. Blooms in late spring. White flowers form openwork loose panicles, similar to snow flakes. The fleecy coating along the edges of the gray-green plates resembles frost.

Gardenia

Among flowering shade-loving plants, jasmine gardenia is one of the least capricious. It should be sprayed frequently. Gardenia feels good in shaded places, but you need to choose a place for it in advance and then do not move it. If you move it even a short distance, this will lead to the fall of not only flowers, but also leaves. Drying out the earthen clod is completely unacceptable. The soil should always remain slightly moist. When it does, it must allow a sufficient amount of air to pass through to the root system. Therefore, it is recommended to use light soil to grow this plant.

Shade-loving low perennials

In the shade, low perennials do not lose the brightness of their inflorescences and do not stretch out. The table includes common plants from this group.

Lungwort

Additional Information! For flowers growing in their natural environment in the shade (“forest litter”), similar conditions are created in the garden: mulch with crushed bark, spruce branches or oak litter. This will speed up adaptation to the new place.

Peculiarities

The main differences between shade-loving flowers and all others:

• unpretentious (the owner of the site can safely go somewhere for 2-3 weeks, and they definitely won’t die without him);
• feel great without sunlight;
• tolerate high humidity (both air and soil);
• grow wildly and abundantly;
• adapt to shade - have lush, dark green foliage (most often) and bright flowers.

Shade-loving flowers can be distinguished from all others even by their appearance. They are usually given away by the leaves:

• dark green;
• large, wide;
• thin, soft, plastic;
• flat, smooth;
• under the influence of light they fade, become lighter, and become covered with spots that indicate sunburn;
• horizontal and mosaic arrangement of foliage.

The stem is tall and elongated. The flowers themselves can be small or large, but their color palette most often amazes with its brightness and variety.

Tall perennials

Some tall plants fully develop and decorate the garden if they are illuminated for 2 to 4 hours a day.

Buzulnik toothed

Grows in moist soil. In bright light it fades. Golden baskets open at the end of summer. The rounded plates are wide, jagged along the edges.

Hosta tall

The height of the seedling is 1.3 m, width is up to 1.5 m. Heart-shaped dense plates with wavy edges, depressed veins and original jade coloring are the distinctive features of the plant. Purple flowers bloom in July. It grows in one place for up to 25 years without losing its decorative properties.

Hosta tall

Voronets racemosus

Grows in light shade. In mid-August, candle-shaped long (up to 0.6 m) inflorescences, consisting of miniature fragrant flowers, bloom.

Aquilegia

Plant for semi-shady places. In the first half of summer, original long-spur flowers appear, painted pink, white, golden, and lilac. Sometimes the color of the sepals differs from the color of the corolla. Planted in rock gardens and mixborders.

Volzhanka

Herbaceous perennial with paniculate spreading inflorescences and lacy feathery leaves. It grows quickly, drowning out weeds. Irrigate abundantly. Fertilize with organic matter once a year. Grow near a pond or in rock gardens.

Astilbe

Seedlings reach 1.5 – 2 m. Grows on moist soil. When there is a lack of nutrition, the foliage curls. Light shade reveals the brightness of the plant. Openwork leaves are combined with the foliage of bergenia and hellebore.

Astilbe

In nature, vines are often found in undergrowth, so long-climbing species are also planted in shady corners. Climbing plants are used to divide the garden into zones, decorate gazebos and pergolas:

1. Maiden's grapes. The size of the vine is 20 m. In autumn, in partial shade, the green glossy leaves turn crimson. Growing quickly. Unpretentious.
2. Schisandra chinensis The length of the lashes is 15 m. It blooms in the second half of May with white flowers, which later become pinkish. Bright red berries ripen in autumn.
3. Moonsperm Liana grows up to 5.5 m. White flowers appear in June. The fruits are poisonous.
4. Ivy is grown as an evergreen vine or ground cover. The lashes grow up to 9 m. Unpretentious.

The walls of country houses are sometimes decorated with hops. The plant loves shade and gets sick in the light. It develops fully in poor soil and turns into a weed in fertile soil. In the second half of August, fragrant cones are collected.

Hop

Annuals for shady places

They are in demand in any region, since their winter hardiness is not important. Annual plants for shady areas are cultivated for their bright flowers, which enliven gloomy areas for several months, until frost. The seedling method allows you to get early and long flowering.

Balsam

A unique example of an annual cultivated plant that grows in the shade and blooms better here than in the sun. This applies to all varieties. Height 25 - 45 cm. Numerous flowers - simple and double, 4 - 6 cm in diameter, in all shades of white-red and lilac (sometimes two-color).

Eustoma (lisianthus)

A fashionable flower, similar to a delicate rose, prefers diffused light. Modern selection pleases with the variety of shapes (simple and double), colors (from pastel to rich), and height of peduncles (25 - 120 cm). Requires a long seedling period (sowing from October to February), otherwise it blooms only at the end of summer. Does not tolerate stagnation of water and acidic soil. When fertilized, it produces up to forty flowers at a time.

Mimulus

Loves the morning sun. The flowers look like small orchids with a diameter of 4–8 cm. The petals are often covered with bright burgundy spots. The bushes are highly branched and reach a height of 15–30 cm.

Lobelia

Numerous shoots are completely covered with small (up to 2 cm) flowers of a rare bright blue hue; There are white and crimson varieties. The plant is ground cover or hanging (10 – 50 cm).

Verbena

Inflorescences are fragrant umbrellas with a diameter of 5–8 cm. A rich range of colors. Height 20 – 50 cm.

Levkoy (mattiola gray)

Durable, racemose fragrant inflorescences of various shades rise 20 - 80 cm. Strong shading is contraindicated.

Petunia

Suitable for areas that are in the shade part of the day. Can be placed in flower pots and flowerpots near the western and eastern walls. Valued for its variety of sizes (from dwarf 20 cm to vines 1.5 m) and colors, abundant flowering. The corollas are simple and double, 2–16 cm in diameter, sometimes fragrant. Reproduction methods - seedlings or planting seeds.

Begonia

Two types are in demand as ground annuals - ever-flowering (small-flowered - white, pink, red; there are varieties with burgundy leaves) and tuberous (low-growing and ampelous; magnificent multi-colored double varieties).

Nemophila

A charming ground cover no higher than 20 cm or an hanging plant. The diameter of the flower is 2.5 cm. There are few varieties of color: black-violet with a white border and eye, blue with a white center, white with purple spots along the edges.

Cosmea

Grows on any soil, drought-resistant. Height 30 – 150 cm. Flowers are shaped like daisies, diameter 7 – 12 cm. Corollas simple or semi-double – white, pink, red, yellow, orange.

Nasturtium

The bushes are compact (20 cm) or climbing (up to 3.5 m). The diameter of the flowers is 5 cm, any color except the blue spectrum. Nitrogen fertilizers stimulate foliage growth at the expense of flowering.

Flowers such as marigolds, calendula, molucella, fragrant tobacco, matthiola bicornuum (night violet) can withstand slight shading, and decorative foliage plants include coleus, cineraria maritima, and euphorbia fringe.

Tuberous and bulbous crops for semi-shaded areas

With light shading, plants that reproduce by bulbs and tubers develop:

Snowdrop

The height of the bushes is 15–20 cm. At the beginning of spring, delicate flowers bloom. The outer petals are white, the tips of the inner ones are greenish. Loves moist soil rich in humus. Frost-resistant.

Oxalis (garden oxalis)

A low-growing bulbous perennial grows up to 20 cm. The leaves are purple or burgundy, reminiscent of clover foliage. In mid-May, goblet-shaped flowers in white, cream or pink shades appear on the peduncles. It quickly forms a thick carpet, shading the greenery and bright colors of neighboring plantings. Loves diffused light, fertile, moist soil. Does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

Kislitsa

Corydalis

Medium and low-growing varieties are grown in the central zone. They bloom in mid-May. White, purple or pink flowers are collected in a loose panicle.

Checkered hazel grouse

The stems of the herbaceous plant reach 20–25 cm. The flowers resemble drooping tulip heads, but with a spotted original color. Low maintenance. They are grown in rockeries, tree trunks, and flower beds.

Dodecatheon vulgaris

A beautiful flowering plant. Oval light green leaves form a basal rosette, above which flower stalks rise. Graceful flowers of 10 - 15 pieces are collected in umbrellas. Bright petals bend back, exposing golden anthers. Withstands cold weather. Combines with hostas, ferns, astilbe. Planted in rock gardens and coastal areas.

Dodecatheon

Trees

The following trees also tolerate shade well.

European beech

Grows well in fertile and slightly moist soil. Beech trees can grow in the shade.

Common ash

Ash grows quite quickly and is resistant to air pollution. It can grow in average soil (although it prefers fertile soil). The tree can be planted in partial shade.

Mountain ash

Rowan is a small, strong tree or shrub that grows on any soil and tolerates shade. From summer to winter, rowan is decorated with decorative orange-red fruits.

Elm

European elm and mountain elm require moist, fertile soil. They are frost-hardy and can grow in the shade, but can suffer from Dutch elm disease.

Canadian hemlock

Canadian elm (tsuga canadensis) is a coniferous tree or shrub that prefers moist, fertile soils. Dwarf varieties are suitable for small gardens and can be planted in shady green areas and rockeries.

Shade-tolerant shrubs

Shade-tolerant bushes are planted in shady areas along the fence, next to the gazebo or behind the house. Receiving no more than four hours of sparse light daily, the garden is decorated with the following shrubs:

Lilac

Tall bushes with spreading or straight trunks. The plates are dark green oval. It loves light, but even with light shading at the end of spring it blooms magnificently.

Rhododendron

The medium-sized shrub stands out against the background of perennial shade-loving flowering crops with bright, lush inflorescences in the form of corymbs or racemes. In partial shade it blooms in the third year after planting with orange, cream, bright pink, and white flowers. Resistant to temperature changes and cold snaps. Does not tolerate stagnation of moisture and liming of the soil. In winter it needs shelter.

Rhododendron

Weigela

An erect shrub with serrated leaves. Yellow, cream, red flowers resemble bells. The moisture-loving plant is planted in the shade of trees.

Barberry Thunberg

Deciduous decorative shrub grows quickly. The arched ribbed branches are covered with thorns. The oval or diamond-shaped plates are pointed. In autumn they turn ruby ​​with a purple tint. It blooms in early May with scarlet or yellow flowers. In autumn, ellipsoidal coral berries ripen.

Hydrangea

A moisture-loving shrub, tree or vine blooms luxuriantly throughout the season. The color is affected by the acidity level of the soil, which gardeners sometimes control:

• in an alkaline environment, the petals become lilac or pink;
• in neutral – pale apricot;
• in sour - bluish and purple.

More than 50 species have been bred (6 are cultivated in the central zone) and many varieties, from which every gardener will choose an interesting variety. Does not tolerate bright sun. Blooms luxuriantly in partial shade, planted in medium to slightly acidic soil.

Hydrangea

Boxwood

Shade-loving shrub 2.5 – 11.5 m high. Grows slowly. A long-lived evergreen fragrant plant is planted as a living fence. The hard, small leaves are shiny (the lower part is lighter, with a yellow tint). In the light, the gloss disappears. The flowers are painted in greenish tones. In summer a haircut is required.

Juniper

This coniferous ornamental plant grows annually by 5–15 cm. It is resistant to cold weather. Unpretentious. Planted in light partial shade. The air purifies and saturates with phytoncides.

Shade-tolerant perennials for Crimea, southern Russia and Ukraine

The climate allows the cultivation of heat-loving plants that freeze and freeze in colder regions.

Flowering shrubs can grow in shaded areas:

• large-leaved hydrangea;
• kalmia;
• abelia;
• wintergreen;
• hibiscus;
• wisteria.

In small partial shade, the liana-shaped campsis is capable of blooming. A conifer such as yew tolerates a strong shadow.

No perennial blooms all summer. But many have lush and bright foliage, pleasing to the eye throughout the season. Long-lasting and abundant flowering is demonstrated by annuals, especially those grown from seedlings. Many biennials are shade-tolerant - forget-me-not, Turkish carnation, daisy, viola, foxglove. The maximum decorative effect of the site is achieved by a skillful combination of different types of shade-loving plants.

Plants that are grown under trees

Flower seedlings take root in the root zone of a tall tree:

• lilies of the valley;
• liverworts;
• survivors;
• forest violet;
• periwinkle;
• forget-me-nots

The tree trunk area is decorated with low and medium-sized hostas.

1. White-edged: a white border runs along the edge of the plates; bush height up to 0.25 cm, girth – 0.3 m; Purple or white flowers appear in July.
2. Aureomaculata - dark stripes run along the greenish-yellow leaf, the edges are dark; height – 0.5 m.
3. Erromena – the seedling grows up to 45 cm; veins are clearly visible on the bright green plates; persistent plant, loves shade.
4. Univitata - the plates along the edges are green with light stripes; the center of the sheet is white; bush height – 0.3 m, width – 0.6 m.

Impatiens and saxifrage quickly cover the tree trunk area.

Hosts

Plants for coastal areas

In the shade, next to ponds, varieties and hybrids of moisture-loving plants easily take root:

• European swimsuit;
• hellebore;
• loosestrife;
• buzulnik;
• marigolds.

Loosestrife bushes grow quickly in sunny areas, but bloom with bright colors in shaded coastal corners.

Curly

Shade-loving climbing plants that will hide unsightly walls and fences are a real salvation for the garden. When choosing, take into account the maximum length to which they can stretch (for example, maiden grapes can send out vines reaching up to 20 m if they do not encounter an obstacle in the way of their growth). Features of growing sciophyte loaches are shown in the table.

Pay attention to what kind of soil the vines need so that they grow in the shade without any problems.

Agricultural crops: berry bushes, fruit trees, nuts, vegetables

Fruit formation requires a lot of light. But some crops also bear fruit in light shade.

Berry bushes and nuts

In nature, berry plants grow in the forest floor, so in the country they bear fruit in the shade.

Currant

A common garden crop. 3 types are grown:

• black - rich in vitamins, which are preserved during canning; large-fruited sweet varieties have been bred;
• red - sour currant - sorrel;
• white - children love sweet transparent berries.

Frost-resistant, moisture-loving berry. Perennial shade-tolerant bushes are planted in sandy or loamy soil filled with humus.

Blueberry

Low-growing bushes, rich in vitamins, bring abundant harvests in the shade. They take root in acidic, light soil. Planted in groups for mutual pollination.

Blueberry

Gooseberry

Medium-sized thorny bushes with sweet and sour berries. Green-, yellow- and red-fruited varieties are common. In order for young seedlings to fully develop and begin to bear fruit abundantly, the soil is regularly irrigated and fertilized.

Yoshta

A hybrid of gooseberries and black currants with sweet and sour dark berries. Takes root in the shade. Needs abundant watering and loosening.

Raspberries

Fruits in diffused light. The crop is grown on loose soil, seasoned with organic fertilizers. Raspberries like neutral or slightly acidic soils. Stagnant moisture causes disease.

Raspberries

Kalina

A hedge is created from bushes. The serrated leaves below are covered with villi. By autumn the foliage turns red. Blooms in May. White flowers are collected in lush fragrant shields. Berries, rich in vitamins, do not ripen in the shade.

Hazel

Shrub with wide rounded blades. The pale green flowers resemble birch catkins. The nuts ripen by early autumn. Hazelnut likes partial shade. Frost-resistant bushes do not tolerate waterlogging, peaty and marshy soils.

Fruit trees

Large sweet fruits grow on sunny plantations, but also bear fruit in diffused light:

• cherry plum – drought-resistant, rarely gets sick; cover the root zone for the winter;
• plum – shade-tolerant; bears fruit in August – October; an adult tree produces 15–20 kg of fruit;
• cherry - tolerates partial shading; for pollination, seedlings of two to three varieties are planted;
• apple tree - cannot be planted in lowlands and full shade; the most shade-tolerant variety is Antonovka.

If you buy a suitable variety, then even in such conditions the yield of fruit trees will not decrease. Decorative types of stone fruit crops feel comfortable in diffuse lighting conditions.

Apple tree

Reference! Celandine and tansy are planted in the root zone of the apple tree to protect the tree from aphids. White mustard will enrich the soil with nitrogen compounds and attract bees. Calendula, marigolds, and hosta are planted on the tree.

Vegetables for a shady garden

Rare vegetable crops planted in shaded areas bear fruit. The following vegetables bear fruit here:

• beets - sown in moist, loose soil;
• radish - loves partial shade, resistant to cold weather;
• curly cabbage (kale) is a frost-resistant, moisture-loving plant with a two-year cycle;
• wild garlic (bear onion) grows in the forest under tall trees; germinates after snow melts;
• rhubarb – needs regular watering;
• beans - bush varieties planted around an apple tree give a bountiful harvest; Do not plant cowpeas in a shady bed;
• perennial types of onions (slizun, chives) - greens appear in early spring; plants are decorative and attract pollinating insects;
• horseradish - with moderate soil moisture produces long, juicy leaves.

Rhubarb Shade-
tolerant, unpretentious herbs are suitable for the garden; they will yield a harvest even in the shade and fill the garden with aroma:

• oregano;
• mint;
• parsley;
• Melissa;
• cilantro;
• tarragon;
• thyme.

Basil and celery are sown in lighted beds.

Additional Information! In the south, seedlings of light-loving cucumbers, tomatoes, and watermelons are planted in the shade and a bountiful harvest is harvested. In the northern regions, it makes no sense to plant plants that love warmth and light in a dark place. Shade-tolerant crops in the north bear moderate fruit if the site is illuminated for 2 to 4 hours daily.

It's nice to relax in a shady corner

Overview of species of shade-loving plants

Despite the exceptional importance of sunlight in the life cycle of plants, there are those that grow in the shade. But we must not forget that for a particular plant, different degrees of shading are suitable. If you decide to plant shade-loving plants on your site, then take seriously the choice of the place where it will grow.

There are, of course, fewer shade-loving plants than light-loving plants, but caring for the latter is also more labor-intensive. Moreover, most shade-loving plants are perennials, so planting a flower or shrub in an unsightly shaded area will prevent you from having to plant something new every year.

Trees growing in the shade

Not only flowers and bushes can grow in the shade, but also trees. Shade-loving trees include:

European or forest beech

It grows quickly, is unpretentious to watering and quite frost-resistant, so it will take root in cold regions. Since the tree does not need a lot of sunlight, it grows well in partial shade. European beech is a long-lived tree and will decorate your garden for many years.

Common ash

A fast-growing tree, plant it in an area with indirect shade. It is not afraid of dry weather and thanks to this it will take root in regions with little rainfall. Moreover, ash’s frost resistance increases with age.

Mountain ash

It grows quite quickly, but it is worth noting that rowan is picky about care. Therefore, it is best to plant rowan in a place with diffused light.

Elm

The tree grows quickly. Due to the fact that elm is not afraid of saturated shade, you can safely plant it in a shady place. In addition to the fact that elm is not picky in care, it is also not afraid of low temperatures; it will take root in a region with a cold climate. Plus, elm is a long-lived tree.

Canadian hemlock

Although the tree grows slowly, it does not require abundant sunlight and is unpretentious in care. Hemlock is an evergreen tree, but it has average resistance to frost and is most afraid of snow on its needles. Canadian hemlock is also a long-lived plant.

Shade-tolerant shrubs

In addition to trees, there are many shrubs that thrive in the shade.

Common wolfberry

This shrub begins to turn green with the onset of a thaw and is covered with lilac, less often white or pink inflorescences. It has a subtle, sweet aroma. Wolfberry will decorate your garden with its appearance in those places where sunlight is a rare guest. But be careful, this plant is poisonous and can cause serious poisoning if ingested.

Hydrangea

In Japan they call her “the dreamer of water.” This is a beautiful shrub that blooms with large flowers, the palette of which varies from white to dark purple. From a large number of varieties, you can choose a hydrangea that suits your preferences. Landscape designers often use this bush to decorate the area.

Rhododendron

It is also called the “rose tree”, all because its large pink inflorescences resemble a rose. The homeland of this bush is North America. Initially, rhododendron grew on the shaded, northern slopes of coastal zones, so it is not afraid of either dampness or shade.

Holly holly

This shrub attracts gardeners with its appearance; it has carved, jagged leaves, dense and glossy. Closer to autumn, bright red berries appear on it, which contrast with the lush greenery. Holly is considered a Christmas plant; in the West, houses are decorated with it for New Year and Christmas.

Fuchsia

This plant will decorate your garden plot with flowers shaped like a lantern. The color of the lanterns is bright pink and white, but there are also variations. Fuchsia does not tolerate direct sunlight, so it is suitable for growing in places with diffused light and in the shade.

Boxwood

This evergreen shrub is used by landscape designers to create hedges. Unpretentious, grows quietly in places with minimal sunlight. It has small, hard leaves, glossy and smooth to the touch. It tolerates cutting painlessly, thanks to which you can give this bush any shape.

Aucuba japonica

The homeland of this shrub is Asia, but our gardeners love it for the unusual yellow-green color of the leaves. From a distance it seems that the leaves of this plant have been poured with gold, hence the second name “golden tree”. The leaves have an oblong shape with a pointed tip.

Azalea

This is a small shrub with highly branched branches that blooms with large, beautiful flowers. Azalea is a plant of the rhododendron family and, like its relative, rhododendron attracts attention with its grace and lush flowering.

Euonymus Fortune

An evergreen, low shrub attracts the attention of gardeners with its unusual leaf color. Variegated, yellow-green leaves have long been loved by landscape designers for their originality and fresh appearance. Unpretentious and frost-resistant, it will please the eye at any time of the year.

Decorative foliage plants for shade and partial shade

To landscape areas in the shade, gardeners grow deciduous plants that do not particularly need the rays of the sun. Such plants include:

Khosta

Hosta or funkia does not require painstaking care, but you need to know the basics of its cultivation. Funkia grows well in a shaded place. Although the plant loves moisture, the hosta will also take root in dry areas. It is worth noting that when growing in the shade, the hosta acquires large sizes. In addition, the reproduction function and process is quite simple.

Fern

This is a perennial crop that is also not afraid to grow in a place with scattered shade. Fern care is simple and the most important thing for this plant is proper watering. Plus, at some point the fern may go wild and there will be almost no need to care for it. It is also not necessary to feed the plant. The frost resistance of ferns depends on the species.

Tenacious

As its name suggests, this perennial plant can take root anywhere and will grow with any care. Wherever it is planted, particularly in the shade, the tenacious plant will grow quickly.

But it is important to remember that weak plants are not tenacious neighbors. She just might destroy them. There are no care notes, as such, because the tenacious plant will adapt to any soil and any climate.

Cuff

The most common plant for garden decoration. Unpretentious to care, perennial cuff will help complete garden compositions. Plus, the cuff likes a place with partial shade, where it will bloom beautifully all summer and even autumn.

Kopyten

Hoofweed is one of those plants that does not need sunlight at all, and this plant must be planted in a place with partial shade or deep shade. Hoof care involves moderate watering and replanting, which should be done in the fourth year of growth. Kopten is a real find for those who want to decorate the garden with a green carpet.

Shade-tolerant flowers

Decorating a garden where shade reigns is easy. You just need to know what flowers they like and grow in the shade.

Aquilegia

Popularly known as “catchment”. Aquilegia flowers have an unusually beautiful shape and a very diverse palette of colors; the flowers are: yellow, white, lilac, pink, purple. Flowering period June-July. Loves shaded places.

Anemone

This flower is loved by gardeners for its huge selection of colors; it is so large that it would take a long time to list them. It is worth noting that among the huge number of species, anemones also differ in their fastidiousness to care. The most important thing for an anemone is proper watering and the right place in partial shade.

Begonia everblooming

Perhaps the most popular plant for growing at home. Ever-blooming, begonia is called because of its flowering period, from early summer to mid-autumn. Since in the wild the plant grows in the shade, in the garden begonia can be planted in a place with diffuse shade.

Astilbe

In the wild, astilbe grows in forests and where summer humidity is above average. Depending on the species, the plant can reach different heights, even 2 meters.

Primrose

An unpretentious plant that will grow well in a shaded place. Primrose is divided into about 500 species and each of them is unique.

Lungwort

Also refers to shade-loving plants. Lungwort decorates the garden already in the first days of spring, and all thanks to its beautiful flowering. If you want the plant to decorate your garden for a long time, you should water it regularly.

Periwinkle

A creeping carpet of blue flowers will perfectly complement your garden. Periwinkle is not demanding in care and even in watering, which should only be done in very dry weather,

Siberian iris

Iris or, as it is also called, Siberian iris has the highest endurance of all other species. Siberian iris does not require painstaking care, so if you plant it in a place with diffuse shade, you don’t have to worry about the condition of the plant.

Lily of the valley

In the first days of spring, lilies of the valley are already beginning to bloom in your garden. The plant is easy to care for, but it requires regular feeding and watering.

Dicentra

This annual plant will become the highlight of your garden thanks to its unusual shape. It will be possible to observe the beauty of dicentra flowering from late spring to early autumn, but in order to achieve this, it is necessary to water it correctly.

Kupena

Seal of Solomon or kupena does not need direct sunlight at all, so the plant will bloom only in shaded areas. The main thing in caring for a bathhouse is watering, which should be regular.

Hydrangea

Huge hydrangea inflorescences have never spoiled the garden, especially since tree hydrangea blooms from mid-summer to autumn. The most important thing for hydrangea is generous and regular watering. For normal growth, a place with diffuse shade is suitable.

Hydrangea largeleaf

Before planting large-leaved hydrangea in your garden, understand that the appearance of this beautifully flowering shrub requires the most painstaking care. Hydrangea does not tolerate direct sunlight. In addition, the soil on which hydrangea grows should always be moist.

Buzulnik toothed

Such a sophisticated plant as jagged buzulnik will decorate an unsightly shaded place in your garden. A special feature of the buzulnik is its undemanding ability to change its place of growth. The only thing without which the plant will die is without abundant watering.

Liriope muscari

This is the most popular type of liriope among gardeners. Unlike other shade-loving plants, liriope blooms in autumn.

Japanese schizophragma

The first couple of years it grows slowly, but with proper care the growth rate increases. Schizophragma is a fairly frost-resistant plant, but is afraid of dry weather.

Spiraea japonica

Spiraea is most often used by gardeners to frame garden elements. It does not bloom for long - from mid to late summer. Watering depends on the age of the plant. It is worth noting that Japanese spirea does not suffer from anything.

Fragrant violet

The violet is respected by most garden designers for its primitive beauty, namely its purple flowers. Based on the name, fragrant violet will fill the garden with a pleasant aroma. Moreover, violet is a fairly independent plant and does not require careful care.

Red lungwort

This type of lungwort grows quite quickly. It is worth noting that although the red lungwort has high frost resistance, it would be a good idea to cover it in a cold region.

Noble liverwort

This is the plant that will bloom almost immediately as soon as the snow begins to melt. It is not fussy to care for, but it desperately needs mulching and moderate watering.

Hellebore

Despite their name, young hellebores can die in winter and should be covered. Hellebore blooms early, from late winter to mid-spring; in dry and hot weather it needs watering.

Doronicum eastern

This plant is not suitable for growing alone because after spectacular flowering, Doronicum orientalis sharply loses its external beauty and sheds its leaves. But doronicum eastern is also easy to care for, and for normal growth it needs the right place and regular watering.

Primrose fine-toothed

Multi-colored flowers of primrose or fine-toothed primrose will decorate your garden, although they bloom only for one month of spring. The main thing in caring for serrated primroses is timely watering and proper preparation for wintering.

Volzhanka vulgare

The advantages of Volzhanka or Arunkus make a strong impression, because Volzhanka vulgare is not picky about care, grows well in the shade, has high resistance to frost and will make an excellent decoration.

Black cohosh

The peculiarity of this plant is its rather specific smell. In Germany, the crow is called the silver candle because of the appearance of its fluffy flowers. Does not require painstaking care.

Japanese anemone

The flowers have a light pink tint, which can be achieved with proper care of the Japanese anemone. In summer it is very important to water the plant, and before winter the anemone should be wrapped.

Lady's slipper

Although such an orchid will decorate the garden, for this you need to know how to properly care for the lady’s slipper. The plant needs special soil, a shaded place, shelter for the winter, fertilizing and moderate watering.

Shade-tolerant herbs

To improve the design of your garden plot, use ornamental grasses.

Ozhika snowy

A beautiful, evergreen grass with narrow, long leaves. Recommended for decorating rock gardens. It blooms with white flowers in May - June. Loves shade and moisture.

paniculata

A low, cushion-shaped plant with long and narrow needle-like leaves. Blooms in June - July.

Sedge

This plant is often used to decorate areas with diffused light and shade. Perennial. Very popular in Asian countries.

Bulbous and tuberous plants for semi-shady positions

Often areas in the shade are decorated with the following plants:

Snowdrops

These flowers appear on your site when there is still snow and are rightly called the harbingers of spring. This is a perennial plant 10-15 centimeters in height with white flowers.

Dodecatheon vulgaris

This flowering plant is easy to care for. It has a very beautiful flower shape. Considered a primrose. Flowering begins in May and continues until the end of July and beginning of August.

Corydalis

A low, herbaceous plant, with beautiful and unusual flowers of bright red color with unusual inflorescences. It is very popular among gardeners for its unpretentiousness.

Checkered hazel grouse

Perennial plant, 15 - 20 centimeters high. Its flowers are shaped like a tulip, but have an unusual, spotted color. Completely unpretentious and does not require special care.

Sod plants

Sod or ground cover shade-loving plants:

European ivy

A beautiful evergreen vine. It is planted in the shade near the walls of houses or near large trees. Ivy climbs beautifully with the help of adventitious roots or climbs along the soil cover.

Fragrant bedstraw

A favorite of Dutch and English gardeners. It grows in a thick carpet over the soil, attracting attention with its beautiful, star-shaped shape and small, white flowers. Exudes a pleasant, fresh aroma.

Pahesandra apex

The homeland of this plant is Japan. It is not whimsical and grows over large areas in one season. Low, about 20 centimeters in height, has dense dark green leaves collected in a rosette.

Spleen

A nice plant, the leaves of which are shaped like clover leaves and yellow-green in color, which creates a golden dusting effect. Looks very nice when decorating shady areas.

Saxifraga shadow

As it grows, it forms a thick carpet, the leaves are hard and collected in a rosette. It blooms with small, pink flowers, and the flowering stem rises above the green part at a distance of 20 centimeters.

Fruit trees, shrubs and vegetables

In addition to ornamental plants, fruit trees, shrubs and vegetables can be grown in the shade.

Currant

A low shrub with tasty and healthy berries. Currants can be black, red and white. Grows well in shaded areas and is unpretentious.

Gooseberry Yoshta

A popular garden plant with large green, yellowish-white or red berries. Looks good in the garden interior and requires virtually no maintenance. Yoshta is a hybrid of gooseberry and black currant.

Blueberry

This plant loves a cool, damp climate, so it will take root well in a place with a lack of sunlight. Its fruits are dark blue in color and incredibly healthy.

Hazel

It is also called “hazelnut”. Quite a tall shrub, shade-loving and unpretentious. It bears fruit in small inflorescences containing from 3 to 6 nuts.

Raspberries

We value raspberries for their taste and beneficial properties; not only raspberries, but also their leaves and stems are used in medicine. In addition, she is easy to care for and loves places with diffused light.

Blackberry

A relative of raspberries, they are similar not only in appearance, but also in the beneficial properties of the plants. There are two types of blackberries: creeping and bush (ozhina).

Chokeberry

Popularly called “chokeberry”. This plant is perfect for decorating an area; it looks like a spreading shrub or low tree, with healthy, dark blue fruits.

Dogwood

Dogwood means “red”, it was named so due to the bright red color of the berries. The berries themselves are quite large and have a large seed inside. Grows and bears fruit well in shaded areas.

In addition to fruit-bearing shrubs, vegetables and herbs such as:

• parsley
• cilantro
• garlic
• onion
• sorrel
• wild garlic
• mint
• peas
• beans
• cauliflower
• broccoli
• radish

What to Remember When Growing Plants in the Shade

In order for plants in the shade to feel comfortable and develop evenly, and for the shady area to look original, it is worth remembering:

1. Most beautiful flowering plants with lush buds are not planted in shady areas. Exceptions are hydrangea and rhododendron bushes.
2. Maintain a distance between plantings: denseness causes the development of fungal diseases and the proliferation of insects.
3. To enliven the garden design and turn a shady corner into an original recreation area, conifers, ground covers and flowering shrubs are planted.
4. To make the area appear lighter, perennial plants with cream, lemon or white flowers or light leaves are chosen for planting.

The foliage of variegated species loses its brightness under the shade of bushes and trees, so partially shaded or sunny areas are selected for variegated garden plants.

Garden crops tend to lose their decorative properties due to lack of light. To ensure that the shady space remains attractive, varieties of shade-loving plants are planted here.

Ivy

This evergreen plant, also known as hedera, is naturally found in shady forests. Ivy has a significant mass of leaves, so it is one of the most effective indoor air purifiers. In order for this plant to form a lush wall of green, it must be provided with cool conditions. Hedera does not tolerate high temperatures and sunlight. Since ivy is a moisture-loving plant with a shallow root system, it needs to be watered regularly and quite abundantly in the spring and summer. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, but stagnation of water in the pot will lead to the death of the ivy. In winter, it should be watered frequently if it is in a warm room. When wintering in a cool place, you should limit watering this plant to the amount of water that allows the soil not to dry out.