Garden Office Blog

Five Plants for Shaded and Low-Light Gardens

Five Plants for Shaded and Low-Light Gardens

By Andrew Tweddle on 11th October, 2011

Decorated Shed garden offices are great for any size garden, including smaller plots, where a more compact garden office will make the most of the available space. One of the main problems with smaller gardens, particularly in urban areas, is the likelihood that it will only get limited sunlight, meaning it is harder to grow plants and flowers. However, you can still create a colourful and inviting garden in even the most shaded of plots. You do have to plan carefully, by selecting plants that thrive in the shade, but here are five ideas to help you get started.

Geraniums

Geraniums, often called storksbills, are wonderful flowers that come in numerous different colours, including electric blues and soft pinks. Geraniums are also renowned for their sweet smell, which can help create a relaxing environment in a shaded garden. Many types of geraniums, referred to as hardy geraniums, are perfect for even deeply shaded areas, and will bloom for a large part of the summer.

Japanese Maples

Japanese maples are plants that were originally native to the Far East, but are now widely available. One of the reasons that they are so popular is their distinctive autumn colouring. Autumn is usually the time when the warmth in our gardens start to fade for the winter, but Japanese maples turn a deep red, creating an attractive autumn feature. They can tolerate shade, but need to be kept in an area away from too much wind.

Ferns

Ferns are fantastic, as they can thrive in very deeply shaded areas, and create a very natural and organic look once they have grown. The simple, yet distinctive plants create a great juxtaposition between natural and manmade pieces of your garden. As long as the soil their in is kept moist, ferns will have no problem growing in any garden.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops are small white flowers that can survive in partly shaded areas. If your garden gets at least some sunlight during the day, these are the perfect choice. They often bloom before many other flowers, meaning your garden can look great in early spring. These delicate looking flowers are surprisingly sturdy, and will flower earlier and more spectacularly if planted in a group.

New Zealand Flax

New Zealand Flax is a late-flowering plant that looks at home in an urban setting. The plant has sword-like leaves and can survive in partial shade, requiring only a small amount of sunlight to survive. The distinctive yet simple look is great if you are trying to create a modern garden. When it does flower in late summer, the exotic red flowers create a feeling of warmth.

These are just a few ideas to help create a shaded garden paradise, but there are many more choices available depending on what kind of garden you are trying to create. When looking, you should always ensure the plants you buy are suited to the types of soil you have in your garden, as well as other conditions like rain and wind. Whatever choices you do make, they will always be at home next to a Decorated Shed garden office. The simple, yet bold styling of a Decorated Shed garden building allows it to accompany any style of garden, while still being the main standout feature.


Category:  Architecture and Design

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