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Does your garden have a shady spot in need of some colour? Most flowering plants need good sunlight to perform well, which can create a problem in that gloomy corner. Fortunately, there are a range of plants that love dappled shade and even a few that will flower in deep shade, so the trick to success is clever plant selection. Here, are eight (8) summer flowers for shady gardens!
1. Hydrangea loves the shade
Hydrangeas grow best in dappled sun, part shade or a well-lit, full shade position. They prefer a rich, moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. Keep them well- watered through the summer. When growing in pots, stand them in a saucer of water and water every day in hot weather.
2. New Guinea Impatiens bring vibrant colour
New Guinea Impatiens come in a wide range of vibrant, shimmering flower colours. Give them a fertile, moist soil and protect them from frost. Feed once a year with Searles Robust and water it in well. Great in pots, hanging baskets or mass plantings for high impact.
3. Gardenias grow well in deep shade
The delicious fragrance of gardenias is a summertime delight. Although known as sun- lovers, they can also grow well in quite deep shade. Give them a rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil, feed with Searles Flourish Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia and keep them moist and well mulched.
4. Mona Lavender performs in part shade
Mona Lavender (Plectranthus sp.) flowers beautifully in full or part shade. Flowering from late summer into autumn, it forms a low bush 60cmW x 80cmH. Give it moist, well- drained soil and prune gently after flowering. Protect from frost.
5. Shade loving native Rose Myrtle
Rose myrtle (Archirhodomyrtus beckleri) is a native rainforest shrub, about 1.5 metres tall. It likes light shade to full shade, tolerates light frost and a wide range of soils. Great in containers or formal hedging, its perfumed flowers appear in late spring and summer, followed by colourful, edible berries. Its shiny foliage is aromatic when crushed. Attractive to birds and beneficial insects, feed in late summer with Searles Robust Native controlled release plant food.
6. Begonia, the classic and long-lasting flower
For long-lasting, colourful flowers in the shade, you can’t go past begonias. Easy to find in nurseries as well as to propagate from cuttings, begonias prefer a warm, sheltered position and a rich, well-drained soil. Although they like humidity they can also be quite dry tolerant.
7. Lily of Peace, Spathiphyllum
Spathiphyllum, also called ‘Peace Lily’ is one of the few plants that will flower without direct sunlight. Give it a brightly lit position for best flowering. Drooping leaves is a sign that it is getting too dry — but it will recover quickly when watered. A beautiful, hardy plant and a great problem-solver where nothing else will grow! Choose from knee-high to waist-high varieties!
8. Delicate Native violet
Native violet (viola hederacea) can grow and flower well in part or full shade. A great option for boggy soil or a damp, dark corner, it’s great as a lawn substitute where it’s too shady for grass. Flowering most of the year, it needs moist conditions to look its best.
