Plants for shade with summer splashes of yellow
Plenty of plants, of a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, thrive in partial shade, so it’s perfectly possible to create a full and attractive border even in these sometimes challenging conditions
Quick facts
- Using the right plants can reduce demand on unnecessary watering once the plants are established
- Choosing plants that are suitable for the conditions promotes good plant health
- An effective planting plan can help to create depth, interest and environmental benefits
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The planting plan
This planting design provides a range of plants that will thrive in partial shade and provide interest throughout the year, but particularly in summer, with splashes of yellow to brighten up a shady corner.
Plants for shade with yellow interest
Shade with splashes of yellow in summer
Plenty of plants, of a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, thrive in partial shade, so it’s perfectly possible to create a full and attractive border even in these sometimes challenging conditions.
Once established, the Euphorbia, hardy Geranium and Pachysandra will act as groundcover that protects against soil erosion, reduces evaporation of moisture from the soil surface and makes it harder for weed seeds to grow.
While waiting for the plants to fill out, an organic mulch, preferably homemade compost, will help in the same way. Mulches should be spread when the soil is already moist to help trap some of that moisture before it dries out in summer.
The Pyracantha, Leycesteria, Patrinia, Euphorbia and hardy Geranium are also good for attracting pollinators into the garden, helping to increase biodiversity.
3 - Patrinia scabiosifolia
4 – Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae
5 – Veronica gentianoides ‘Tissington White’
6 – Geranium ‘Ivan’
7 – Pachysandra terminalis ‘Variegata’
2 – Leycesteria formosa GOLDEN LANTERNS is a deciduous shrub with long, arching stems. Emerging leaves in spring are orange, paling to bright yellow-green. White tubular flowers hang between showy dark red bracts in summer. Dark purple berries follow, which are also attractive to birds.
3 – Patrinia scabiosifolia is a herbaceous perennial with low clusters of dark green leaves. In summer, airy sprays of small yellow flowers are produced on branched stems.
4 – Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae is a spreading evergreen perennial that forms colonies of leafy rosettes. From these rise rounded sprays of long-lasting yellow-green flowers in spring and summer.
5 – Veronica gentianoides ‘Tissington White’ forms a mat of bright, glossy green, lance-shaped leaves. In early summer, the plant produces upright spikes of small white flowers veined with blue.
6 – Geranium ‘Ivan’ is a spreading perennial with divided yellow-green leaves. Red-purple flowers with dark veining and a very dark eye are borne through summer.
7 – Pachysandra terminalis ‘Variegata’ is a mat-forming evergreen subshrub with cream-edged green leaves and spikes of small white flowers in early summer.
Choosing plants for partial shade
By choosing plants that are adapted naturally to shade, we can help to promote strong plants that are less likely to suffer from pest and diseases. In their preferred conditions, plants establish better and need fewer additional resources such as water and fertilisers.
A simple planting plan helps to create depth, interest and good coverage in a border.
The challenge of growing in shade
Shady conditions might also be dry if the shade is created by surrounding trees or shrubs, and it can be hard to plant in root-filled ground.
Dry conditions make it tough for plants to establish, so even plants that are naturally suited should be monitored and watered during their first spring and summer while they establish.
Why choose a sustainable planting combination?
Plants in the right conditions establish better and need fewer additional resources to keep them healthy, allowing us to reduce our environmental footprint by using less water and fertiliser. It also creates robust, long-lived planting that benefits soil health and garden biodiversity.
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.