Designing a shaded garden bed may seem complex, but a judicious selection of shrubs and perennials can create a lush, serene garden in even the least sunny areas. Whether your garden is located under a large tree, next to a building, or in an area that simply doesn't get a lot of sun, a well-designed shaded garden bed can thrive with the right plants and a little care. Here is a guide to help you build a shady flower bed using a selection of shrubs and perennials.
Shrubs for shade
Shrubs provide essential structure to your shade bed. They provide height, seasonal interest and, often, color. Some particularly interesting shrubs suitable for shade are Taxus (yew), Cornus (dogwood), Microbiota and Sambucus (elderberry).
Taxus : (top center in photo) Yews are evergreen shrubs that add a beautiful dark green color to your flower bed. They are extremely adaptable and can grow in partial to full shade. Their shapes vary from pyramidal to spherical, adding structure to your garden.
Cornus : (The 'Ivory Halo' variety at top right in photo) Dogwoods are spectacular shrubs, known for their colorful bark and fall foliage. They grow well in shade and bring a splash of color to your garden during the winter months when the colorful bark of the twigs is most visible.
Microbiota decussata : (At the bottom of the photo) This dwarf conifer is perfect for shady areas. With its spreading branches and limited growing height, it is ideal for covering the ground and adding soft texture to your flower bed.
Sambucus canadensis : ('Aurea' variety in the center right of the photo) This resilient shrub is distinguished by its white or pink summer flowers, and its autumn berries attractive to birds. The sambucus combines aesthetics and ease of maintenance by providing lots of height.
Perennials for shade
After choosing your shrubs, it's time to complete your flower bed with perennials that thrive in shade. These plants add color, movement and texture and they return year after year.
Aralia : These are exotic plants with lobed leaves. They thrive in shade, adding structure and interest to your garden, while attracting pollinators with their small white flowers. The 'Sun King' variety in the photo is a remarkable soft green.
Brunnera : With their large, heart-shaped leaves and delicate blue flowers, they are perfect for adding texture to your flower bed. They are hardy and thrive in shade. There are several varieties, all equally different from each other.
Astilbe : This is a remarkable shade plant with its plumes of colorful flowers and attractive foliage. It is ideal for adding color and movement to your garden.
Cimicifuga : They are elegant perennials with purple leaves and white or pink flowers. They adapt well to partial or full shade, bringing plenty of height and structure to your garden.
Heuchera : They are known for their colorful foliage which varies from purple to gold. They add color to the shade and their rounded shape is perfect for creating contrast with plants with finer foliage.
Bellflower : They are perennial plants that are characterized by their bell-shaped flowers, which can be blue, purple, pink or white in color. They grow well in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soil. Bluebells bloom from early summer to late summer.
Dicentra spectabilis : Dicentras , or bleeding hearts, are perennial plants distinguished by their pendulous, heart-shaped flowers. With delicate foliage, they add a note of charm and lightness to your garden while offering beautiful flowering in spring. The 'Goldheart' variety is a beautiful yellow which adds a touch of shine.
Hosta : These are perennial plants with sturdy, broad leaves that come in a variety of greens, they can be variegated with white or yellow. They thrive in partial to full shade, providing a low, dense structure to your garden while producing delicate flower spikes during the summer.
