Plants for dry shade with fiery tints
Plenty of plants, in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, thrive in dry shade, so it’s perfectly possible to create a full and attractive border even in these sometimes challenging conditions
Quick facts
- Dry shade can be caused by large trees and shrubs or by buildings, fences and walls
- Choosing plants that naturally tolerate dry shade will result in healthier plants and a better display
- By choosing plants suited to the conditions, you can reduce the need for unnecessary watering once the plants are established
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The planting plan
This planting design with fiery tints provides a range of plants that, once established, will thrive in dry shade while still providing varied interest throughout the year.
Choosing plants for dry shade
The waxy or slightly hairy surface on many of the leaves helps reduce moisture loss through heat or wind stripping.
The Epimedium, Geranium and Cotoneaster also help provide some groundcover and prevent erosion of bare soil. The groundcover can also help to reduce soil surface moisture evaporation and will help to supress weed growth.
Additional organic mulching with homemade compost will assist with soil moisture retention and weed suppression.
2 – Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’ is an evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves. Clusters of small white flowers in early summer are followed by long-lasting, bright orange berries.
3 – Epimedium × versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ is a low-growing evergreen with red-tinted, light green leaves. Primrose-yellow flowers are carried in open sprays in late spring.
4 – Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Ingwersen's Variety’ is a semi-evergreen with aromatic, deeply lobed leaves and pale pink flowers with contrasting deep pink centres, in early summer.
5 – Dryopteris cycadina atrata is a semi-evergreen fern producing a clump of slightly arched, bright green fronds, composed of many narrow, slightly overlapping leaflets.
6 – Cotoneaster procumbens ‘Queen of Carpets’ is a low-growing evergreen shrub with small glossy green leaves and pink-tinged white flowers in summer, followed by red fruits.
About dry shade
The challenge of growing in dry 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.