Plants for damp shade with seasonal variety
Plenty of plants, of a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, thrive in damp shade, so a full and attractive border with year-round interest can be created even in these sometimes challenging conditions

Quick facts
- Best results are achieved by using plants that are naturally suited to damp shade
- Damp soil can be more common on heavy clay soils and in soils close to natural water bodies
- Choosing plants with a variety of seasonal flowers and foliage promotes longer periods of interest
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The planting plan
This seasonal variety planting design provides a range of plants that, once established, will thrive in damp shade while still providing a variety of interest throughout the year.
Choosing plants for damp shade
These plants have been selected because their preferred conditions are damp soil in partial shade. By using plants that are naturally adapted to these conditions, we can reduce the potential problems that are more likely to occur when using plants that are not so well suited.
The Dryopteris and Primula will provide some ground cover and prevent erosion of bare soil. The ground cover can also help to reduce soil surface moisture evaporation and suppress weed growth.
Additional organic mulching, ideally with homemade compost, assists with soil moisture retention and weed suppression.
2 – Dryopteris crassirhizoma is a semi-evergreen fern with a thick, brown crown, from which slightly arching fronds arise to form a vase-shaped clump.
3 – Lysimachia ciliata ‘Firecracker’ is a herbaceous perennial with whorled purple-green leaves and nodding, star-shaped bright yellow flowers.
4 – Astilbe ‘Deutschland’ is a herbaceous perennial with glossy green foliage and open, slightly arching sprays of white flowers in late spring or early summer.
5 – Primula beesiana is a semi-evergreen perennial with upright stems bearing tiers of yellow-eyed purple flowers above rosettes of light green, crinkly leaves in late spring and early summer.
About damp shade
The challenge of growing in damp shade
Why choose a sustainable planting combination?
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.