Plants for Shade – Tree Finch

There are shady corners in almost every garden – and most plants prefer sun or partial shade!? But shaded areas of the garden don’t have to be boring. With the right plants you can also provide beautiful greenery and flowers. We’ll show you shade-loving shrubs and ground covers that make your garden design easier:

1. Year-round evergreen classics

These plants provide texture and color to your garden, even during the winter months.

Eibe (Taxus)

The yew is a real all-rounder for your shade garden. It grows as a shrub, as a tree or as a hedge because it is very easy to cut and not very demanding. Like a hedge, the yew forms a thick hedge that provides privacy and appears simple and elegant with its dark, evergreen needles; It is also suitable for high hedges. Because of its tolerance to pruning, you can also use the yew in a variety of ways. But it is poisonous to humans and animals.

Taxus baccata: The European yew is a slow-growing evergreen plant with dark green needles. It is considered very robust and undemanding

Taxus media Hicksii: This variety grows a little faster than the European yew, and is also more compact and bushier. Their needles are slightly brighter and shinier.

• Special Features: Robust, long-lived and tolerant to pruning, it can withstand even severe pruning.

• I wait: Conifer/hedge/evergreen shrub. The height and width of growth are highly dependent on the variety (can be grown as a shrub or tree). Dark green needles, red berries on female plants.

• Treatment: Not very demanding, it grows in most soils as long as they are not too humid.

• Usage: Hedges, topiary, specimen trees, natural gardens, natural gardens, formal gardens

• The combination: It goes well with rhododendrons, azaleas and ferns.

Creeping Spindle (Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gold)

The spindle creeper ‘Emerald Gold’ is an eye-catcher in shaded areas. Its green leaves with golden yellow edges add color to your garden. It is an excellent alternative to the classic boxwood and can be used in various ways: as a high ground cover, as well as a low hedge or even as a climbing plant.

• Special Features: Bright yellow leaves, ideal for ground cover.

• I wait: Creeping growth, height approx. 30 cm, small, oval, green-yellow leaves.

• Treatment: It prefers humus-rich soil and tolerates drought.

• Usage: Ground cover, slope greening, potted planting, shrubs, modern gardens, natural gardens

• The combination: It goes well with hostas and ferns.

2. Blooms in shade

Elfflower (Epimedium perralchicum Frohnleiten)

The elven flower is a real expert tip for your shade garden because it produces flowers even in the shade. The delicate pink flowers arrive in spring and if you plant the elven flower as a ground cover, you will get a beautiful sea of ​​flowers even in shady places in your garden. The heart-shaped evergreen leaves also provide a pop of color beyond spring!

• Special Features: Delicate flowers, evergreen leaves, spread slowly.

• I wait: Low, carpet-forming plant, height approx. 15-20cm. Heart-shaped leaves, often marbled.

• Treatment: It prefers loose soil, rich in humus and does not require great care.

• Usage: Ground cover under shrubs and trees, borders, rock gardens, natural gardens, Japanese gardens

• The combination: It goes well with ferns, hosta and lungwort

Hortensias

The snowball hydrangea is a classic among garden plants and delights in summer with its large spherical inflorescences, even without much sun! It is considered very hardy and undemanding, making it ideal for garden beginners!

• Special Features: Large, spherical inflorescences of various colors.

• I wait: Upright habit, variable height depending on the variety, large, opposite leaves.

• Treatment: Prefers moist, humus-rich soil, avoid water stagnation.

• Usage: Planted individually or in groups, container planting, cottage garden, romantic gardens, modern gardens

• The combination: It goes well with ferns, hostas and rhododendrons.

3. Play of colors in the garden

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

The Japanese maple is a master of colors and therefore a real eye-catcher in the garden! Especially in autumn, its foliage shines in the most beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. However, this red Japanese maple needs a little sun to be able to shine in all its colors; it is not suitable for a completely shaded place.

• Special Features: Intense autumn colour, delicate growth habit, therefore also ideal for small gardens.

• I wait: Small tree or shrub, lobed palmate leaves.

• Treatment: It prefers humus-rich, slightly acidic soil and a partially shaded position, avoids water stagnation and tolerates drought well.

• Usage: Solitary plant, group planting, container planting, Japanese/Asian gardens, modern gardens

• The combination: It goes well with rhododendrons, azaleas and bamboo.

2. Ground cover for shade

Small periwinkle (Vinca minor)

The small evergreen is a robust, easy-care ground cover that grows wonderfully even in shady locations without overburdening other plants. In spring and summer, depending on the variety, you can also find white, blue or purple flowers, which add a touch of color to your garden in addition to the bright green of the leaves.

• Special Features: Robust growth, spreads quickly, flowers in spring.

• I wait: Creeping growth, height approx. Leaves 10-15 cm, shiny, dark green.

• Treatment: It prefers humus-rich soil and tolerates drought.

• Usage: Ground cover, slope greening, natural gardens, formal gardens

• The combination: It goes well with ferns, hostas and elfin flowers.

Die Elfenblume Of course, it shouldn’t be missing here either!

Other shade-loving plants

• Lungwort (Pulmonaria): Lungwort is an early flowering perennial with delicate blue flowers and hairy leaves.

• Waldmeister (Scented Gallium): Woodruff is a fragrant plant that works well as a ground cover.

• Do it: Ferns are a popular choice for shade. They come in many different sizes and shapes.

These plants offer colorful inspiration for your shady corners in the garden – or perhaps you have a shade garden? If you still need specific advice and planting ideas, write to us. We will be happy to advise you individually!

Happy gardening! 🙂