Novice Gardener - shady garden

milliebear00001

Hi there

I have a garden with very little sun - even in summer. I therefore need some recommendations for plants to grow.

I have borders and would like some pots and hanging baskets. The garden desperately needs some bright colours!

I have been recommended the following as being shade tolerant:

foxgloves, hostas, petunias, begonias, impatiens, lobelia, periwinkles, fuschias, bluebells.

Apart from the bluebells, which I know I can't plant until autumn, and come as bulbs, I don't know what any of these are or how to grow them! I would prefer seeds that can be planted straight in the ground, perennials rather than annuals. It would be useful to know which of these would work in a border, and which in pots/hanging baskets.

Any further advice/recommendations for shade lovers with colour much appreciated.

blossomhill_2

Try some geranium nodosum, nice bright lilac flowers on glossy perennial leaves, fine in shade

elsien

Dry or damp shade?
Hostas need to be slugproofed.
My foxgloves happily self seed -I just scattered the seed I was given around and left them to it. They're biennial so flower the second year, not the year you plant them.
Impatiens (busy lizzies) are good in pots and baskets but are annuals, I buy mine as plug plants and grow them on. Fuschia, you can get ones which are good in pots and baskets and can overwinter them to replant the following year or you can get hardy ones to stick in the garden and let them get on with it but be careful where you put them as over time some varieties can get huge.
Aqualegia also prolifically self seed - I don't think they're meant to like shade but mine seem to grow everywhere, regardless.

Wallflowers don't mind a bit of shade - too late for this year but plant some next autumn and you'll get scented flowers next spring.
Ground cover perennials - pulmonaria has variegated leaves and pretty flowers in the spring - prefers it slightly damp. Ditto brunnera - small blue flowers, but the main attraction is the foliage. Lily of the valley.

If you go to a good nursery or garden centre they often have sections for plants that like shade and you can chat to the staff and get an idea of what would work for you.

milliebear00001

I would say decidedly damp shade, rather than dry!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions - that's very helpful.

I will try and find a decent garden centre, although not sure such a thing exists near me!