Shaded border

Light and moisture

Most flower borders are in the sunny positions because most perennials like a reasonable amount of sunlight, but shaded borders can work well too. The right choice of plants is crucial - light and moisture are central considerations. The amount of light is obvious, but the fact that the soil beneath trees is often dry needs to be taken into account.

Tips to have in mind when planting a shaded border:

• Select your plants very carefully for the conditions.
• Bear in mind the visual aspect so that colours in a shaded border also make an impact. The best flower colour for a shaded border is white. White lights up in the dark. So if you have a garden which you can often only enjoy in the evening, you should opt for many white flowers. 
• Foliage plants are ideal for a shaded border: Hosta varieties, combined with various types of fern, lungwort (Pulmonaria) and hellebore (Helleborus). The effect will be maximised if you plant in sizeable groups.
  

Examples of perennials for shaded borders:

For damp soil
Astrantia
Convallaria
Helleborus
Hosta
Trillium
ferns

For dry soil
Anemone japonica
Euphorbia
Vinca
Tolmiea
Geranium (some)
Saxifraga stolonifera