Five Plant Combo: Dry Shade

When you train as a gardener designer you are encouraged to develop a palette of plant groups or combinations that tick the following boxes:

1. Same soil type

2. Same aspect

3. Good colour combination

4. Variation of flower shapes

5. Complimentary heights

6. Complimentary foliage size & texture

7. Long or overlapping seasonal interest

Over time, I have tried and tested many combinations and found my favourites. I’d like to share a few with you. 

Dry shade is one of the toughest areas in which to create interesting planting in your garden. There are many plants, however, which have adapted to cope and here is a selection that works brilliantly to create interesting and varied foliage, with delicately coloured flowers. These plants are also all evergreen, so you will have something to look at all year:

1.Epimedium pubigerum: produces an impressive bushy mound of heart shaped leaves that are flushed with bronze in spring. Tiny cream, pink and yellow flowers are held above on wiry stems.

2.Helleborus argutifolius: a tall, strong-stemmed hellebore from the mediterranean, with toothed leaves and bold clumps of lime green flowers.

3.Geranium nodosum: a delicate woodland plant that, after a couple of years, will happily spread and self seed, offering luminous pale purple flowers.

4.Luzula nivea: fine and furry strappy leaves, with sprays of fluffy white flowers.

5.Hedera helix 'Sagittifolia' or 'Star': an ivy for people who hate ivy. Leaves like a centaur's spear, this will smother an ugly fence without taking over the whole garden.