Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire!
I do wander everywhere,
Swifter than the moon’s sphere;
And I serve the Fairy Queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green;
A Fairy Song
William Shakespeare
Don’t be afraid of shade.
I took this photo in the fairy glen Cornwall, earlier this year. Its a perfect example of why we should not be afraid of shade in the garden, My old head gardener taught me to look for the light in the darkness as nothing instils more magic into a natural space.
The same effect applies in our dark garden corners, under trees, down shady allies and north-facing parts of the garden.
You can utilize natural shade-loving plants to create a unique and magical space you come to treasure.
I shall post more on how to develop shady sites soon as I am developing a small wooded area for a new customer at the moment.
Some useful Shade-loving plants to inspire you
Shubs
Mahonia aquifolium
Ruscus aculeatus
Sarrococca
Climbers
Hydrangea petiolaris,
Perenials
Acanthus mollis
Arum
Brunnera macrophylla
Corydalis
Gallium odoratum
Helleborus
and my favourite, don’t forget the Ferns !!!
