Transform your shady garden corner into a woodland hideaway.

Not every corner of the garden is touched by sun. We tend to neglect these spaces, letting moss and grass take over while we focus on the more sun-drenched areas of the garden. But even shady corners offer us the chance to create dreamy and tranquil spaces full of cool beauty, texture and gentle colour while providing us with a much-needed summer sanctuary. With the right planting, these quiet spots can become some of the most atmospheric parts of your garden.

Make Use of Attractive Foliage

Tasmania’s cool climate makes it ideal for shade-tolerant plants with striking foliage. Plants such hostas, ligularia and Loropetalum ‘Plum Gorgeous’ bring much needed colour and texture for protected spots, while the speckled Japanese laurel adds height and distinction. Ferns, such as native tree ferns, bird’s nest ferns and kangaroo ferns create instant drama and a lush rainforest appeal. Strappy plants, such as clivias, billbergia, lomandra and dianella also add handsome charm all year. Mass plantings of heucheras and lamiums work to add contrast with colours ranging from rich burgundy to frosty silver. Intersperse plantings with cascading or ground-covering plants such as baby’s tears and creeping fig.

Take Advantage of Seasonal Blossoms

Many gardeners shy away from planting in shade, assuming it offers little colour or bloom. Shade doesn’t mean forgoing flowers, however. In late winter and early spring, hellebores scatter delicate blossoms when little else is flowering, while luculias provide a gentle sprinkle of pink and a steady supply of fragrance. Camellia sinensis and camellia japonica as well as azaleas thrive in dappled shade, their blooms providing colour through the cooler months, while hydrangeas add a burst of blue and pink cheer in summer. Plectranthus, pieris, Chatham Islands Forget-me-nots and justicias make a wonderful mass-planted statement in protected sites. For a woodland feel, add plenty of flowering groundcovers, such as viola odorata and ajuga reptans. 

Mixing for Effect

The art of a shade garden lies in contrast and layering. The eye is drawn to height, colour and texture. Plan to create drama by injecting a lot of bold colours and textures. Create dimension and depth using height with plants such as viburnum tinus and Japanese maple trees. Pair contrasting shapes such as hostas and ferns with strappy plants such as Arthropodium ‘Matapouri Bay’, and weave in groundcovers, such as Carex oshimensis ‘Evergreen’ and pratia to soften edges. 

If bold foliage and shades of pink make your heart sink, you could play around with the idea of a ‘goth garden.’ Garrya elliptica does a fantastic job of creating dark mystery and drama, especially in winter when their silver-grey tassels cascade down. Contrast the dark burgundy foliage of plants such as Leptospermum obovatum ‘Starry Night’, with the muted silver-grey leaves of Correa alba. The white flowering sprays of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ and Hydrangea quercifolia contrast against their deep green leaves, while Arthropodium ‘Moonbeam’ lends a ghostly sheen when mass planted.

Adding structure and focal points

A garden space is only as complete as it makes us feel. Adding elements that round out a quiet corner, such as a water bowl, bird bath, statue or water feature, provides a sense of harmony and balance that we don’t often get outside of the home. Explore our unique range of Balinese-inspired garden features and concrete garden statues to complete your sanctuary. 

With a little careful planning, you can create a shady retreat that feels lush, romantic, and distinctly Tasmanian; a garden that thrives where sunlight is scarce, but beauty abounds.

Come in to the Nursery and talk to one of our friendly garden experts today!