Six plants for full shade

Dark green hosta foliage with pale cream margins

Read more about the different types of garden shade.

Found under evergreen trees and hedges, and at the base of north-facing walls, fences and buildings, deep shade can be brightened by plants with different foliage colours, shapes and textures.

The shade you have could be dry or damp, depending on where it is. For example, shade at the foot of walls tends to be drier as it's often in a rain shadow. Luckily, there are plenty of plants suited to dry shade and damp shade, too.

Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae

Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae has lime-green spring flowers and glossy, evergreen foliage, giving this plant a long season of interest. It is the perfect plant for dark areas of dry shade. Flowers April to June.

Height × spread: 70cm × 1m.

Dryopteris wallichiana

Ferns are quite at home in shade and tall Dryopteris wallichiana is evergreen in all but the hardest winter weather. The subtle bronze of new fronds in spring turn dark green in summer. There are so many ferns to grow in full shade, so don't let this be the only one you try. Flowers June to July.

H × S: 90cm × 90cm.

Beesia calthifolia

Beesia calthifolia is evergreen, with prominently veined glossy leaves that are bronze when they emerge and stiff upright stems with white, starry flowers. A beautiful foliage plant for deep shade. Flowers April to June.

H × S: 30cm × 30cm.

Milium effusum 'Aureum'

A soft, leafy woodland grass, Milium effusum 'Aureum' is well suited to growing in deep shade, and the golden foliage and sprays of tiny flowers provide a bright splash of summer sunshine. Try combining with other shade-lovers to create a milium, hosta and astilbe container display. Foliage spring to autumn.

H × S: 50cm × 50cm.

Hosta 'El Niño Green'

Hosta 'El Ninio Green' — White-edged, deep-green hosta leaves

Hostas are indispensable in deep shade. The white leaf edges on 'El Niño Green' will gleam out from dark borders. It produces spikes of pale lilac, bell-like flowers in summer. There are a huge range of other hosta cultivars to grow, too. Flowers June.

H × S: 50cm × 60cm.

Epimedium x youngianum 'Niveum'

Epimediums are robust shade-lovers that spread quickly, covering the ground with their low, leathery foliage. Above the leaves rise airy clouds of tiny flowers. Other cultivars to grow include the buttery yellow-flowered 'Amber Queen' and the white and yellow-bloomed 'Wudang Star'. Flowers April to May.

H × S: 30cm × 30cm.