OUT OF THE SHADOWS

Our top 10 shade-loving plants that will brighten up any garden

- Text Mary Lovell-Smith

Jane Austen wrote in Mansfield Park, “To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.” All shade has the potential to be delightful, be it the deep shade found on the south side of a building or wall, in a courtyard, or in a forest; places the sun struggles to reach. Or it could be dappled or light shade. Here, the sunbeams filtering through tree leaves create the prettiest shade of all. Some areas only get the midday sun in summer when it is directly above, and some only sun in the morning or afternoon. Some shaded areas are damp, others dry. Luckily, such is the power of survival, nearly every shady condition has plants evolved to suit it.

TOP TIP Lighter coloured and variegated foliage and pale flowers can be used to brighten shady spots, but for maximum impact use sparingly. The green foliage in its myriad forms, shapes and sizes is always the mainstay.

FOR THE TROPICAL GARDEN

Samba show

Brazilian plume flower (Justicia carnea)

This evergreen two-metre-high shrub is handsome enough with its large, glossy, prominently veined leaves. However, its flashy torchlike blooms stay erect and on display for months on end over summer and autumn elevating it to another level. Each flowerhead contains multiple flared tubular flowers, and is available in red, white or pink. Frost tender, it likes shade of any type and moisture over summer. While it will grow in a range of soils, it prefers a rich loam with lots of compost added, and to really ensure good flowering, fertilise in spring, summer and autumn. Cut back hard after flowering.

YOU MAY PREFER a yellow variety