plants for summer shade

 10 plants for summer shade

Having shady areas in the garden provides opportunities to grow wonderful shade-loving plants in the summer. Plants with bright flowers are best because they are more visible in the shade compared to dark flowers. Before you plant, find out which areas of your garden area in the shade. Check out our feature on garden shade varieties to learn more.

Astrantias

This summer shade stars come in a beautiful range of colors from white to dark purple-red. Astrakhans enjoy moist soil in partial shade. Here are three tips for growing Astrantia, and 10 varieties of Astrantia you can grow.

Japanese painted fern

Japanese Paint Fern, Athyrium niponicum var. Pictum reveals subtly detailed fronts each year. If you have beautiful summer foliage, here are 10 ferns to grow.

Campanulas

Also known as bellflowers, most campanulas are best suited for a partially shaded condition. These include small but vigorous Dalmatian bellflower and cottage-garden classics such as clustered bellflower.

Angelica

These tall, hard twigs form large, umbellate flower heads that are a real success at pollination. Moist soil is essential. You can also use the sweet stems and roots of Angelica argangelica as a natural sweetener.

Foxgloves

Foxgloves (Digitalis) are excellent shade plants. The tall stems are set to grow at the back of the border. Once the display is complete, the foxgloves are easy to collect and sow, so you can welcome their beautiful flowers every year.

Himalayan maidenhair fern

Deeply divided, feathered foliage, virgin hair fern (Adiantum venustum) is a shade-loving plant in summer. Grow in moist, well-drained soil, with partial shade.

Rodgersia

Rodgersia Bodobilla is an excellent all-rounder. The leaves are large, architectural, and dramatic, while the white flowers have a beautiful fluffy texture. An ideal plant to grow in a swamp garden.

Clematis x durandii

Need a shadow climber? Clematis x durandii is suitable for growing in partial shade. Do not forget - clematis like to cool their roots, so plant deep and mulch generously. Here's how to plant clematis.

Hardy geraniums

There are lots of hard geraniums that you can grow in the shade, including lighter colored flowering varieties like ‘Kashmir White’ and ‘Storm Chaser’.

Siberian irises

Suitable for growing in partial shade, Siberian irises are not to be missed. Over time, they grow and form large, evergreen clusters that produce striking blue flowers in early summer. Plant them in soil that retains moisture.