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Plant these shade-loving varieties in May for a summer garden full of colour and texture
Unless your garden enjoys full sun all day, chances are you’ve got a few tricky corners where light is limited. But that doesn’t mean missing out on a summer full of colour. In fact, May is the perfect time to plant shade-loving varieties, giving them the best chance to establish quickly as the soil warms.
'May’s a great time to do something with those awkward, shady spots, while the soil’s warming up and plants can settle in quickly,' says Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres.
For beds and borders, think low-growing ground cover and vibrant flowers. 'Hostas and ferns are classics to plant in shade now, but heucheras also add lovely colour, whilst foxgloves or astrantia bring a softer, cottage garden feel,' Julian says.
'Dry shade under trees can be tricky, but there are plenty of tough plants that will cope. Think about hellebores, hardy geraniums, which spread slowly and suppress weeds, or evergreen wood ferns like Dryopteris and Polystichum for soft texture.'
Below, discover our top shade lovers to plant in May for every kind of dark corner in your garden.
With their frothy, plume-like flowers, astilbes are a great way to add height and drama to a bare spot in your border, where other flowers struggle to grow.
'In summer, their tall stems rise up with airy, fluffy flowers in shades of pink, red, white, lilac and peach on top,' says Chris Bonnett, plant expert and founder of Gardening Express.
This shrub produces beautiful rose-like blooms, but unlike its sun-loving cousin, camellias are perfectly content in darker areas. Its glossy evergreen foliage makes it a great addition to gardens, adding volume, height and year-round colour.
'Autumn and early spring are often considered ideal times to plant camellias, but May planting is perfectly fine as long as you keep up with watering during their first summer,' Chris shares.
This leafy, low-growing perennial forms neat clusters of heart-shaped leaves, making it a great choice for gardens that lack lush foliage.
'They thrive in shadier conditions where the soil stays cool and moist, which hostas love as they naturally grow on woodland floors where light is filtered through trees and the ground stays damp,' says Chris.
Thanks to its broad evergreen leaves that capture and store any specks of light, periwinkle is perfectly suited for thriving in the shade. It's a great choice for those looking for quick and dense groundcover.
'This plant is so popular because it’s an easy, reliable way to cover tricky shady spots,' Chris explains. 'They spread quickly to form a neat carpet and help keep weeds down, adding a gentle pop of colour in spring and summer with their small blue or purple flowers.'
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