• Home
  • |
  • Blog
  • |
  • Shade Plants: Ideal Choices for Growing in Australia

Shade Plants: Ideal Choices for Growing in Australia

What’s not to like about shade plants? Those dimly lit areas of our gardens, that rarely see daylight, can often be the hardest to landscape. But you needn’t throw up your garden gloves in frustration – well not yet, anyway.

More...

Foolproof Shade Plants For Dimly Lit Areas

While moulds, fungi and lichens grow rampantly in these much maligned garden zones there are plants which desire a shaded area just as much – if not more. Take a trek through a rainforest sometime and observe the under-story plants that cheerily settle for an existence devoid of natural light.

It’s as though illumination were the arch-enemy of these floral specimens and lurking within the partial darkness was the obvious defence.

Yet, with all this adaptation forming their structures, there are key characteristics that define what makes a foolproof shade plant. It’s these characteristics that should help your next nursery or garden centre trip become an easier decision making process – with far better results!

Shade Plants to Grow in Australia

Characteristics of Shade Plants

Foliage

Shade plants always exhibit light (as in “not heavy”) foliage with a greater surface dimension than most others. Point in case: compare a rose bush that requires heaps of sunlight with a hosta that thrives on limited exposure to bright lights.

This greater surface area has the ability to photosynthesize with far lower amounts of sunlight. In proportion to the plant’s size, its foliage will always be overstated and un-bulky.

Flowers

If flowers exist they are either profusely soft and light or rare and obnoxiously sanguine. A plant that doesn’t need too much energy to produce blooms will always perform much better as a shade plant – or at least one that is tolerant to shade. And rarely will these blooms offer a fragrance – again, more energy required.

Soil Requirements

But shade plants won’t just grow in anything. They devour low pH, humus-ey soils. Back to the rainforest trek we started with and you can imagine that under-story plants live off the nutrients provided from their taller cousins.

Composts, and rich acidic soils exist in these areas and define the best growing environment for shade lovers. If you haven’t fallen in love with shade plants yet then stick around as I offer a few options for even the darkest corners of your garden.

No garden can exist without a pesky shade area and if you’ve gardened for a while you’ve probably stuck a headstone over a few of your nursery purchases.

Foolproof Shade Plants to Choose From

Hellebores

Hellebores are Foolproof Shade Plants

Classic Shade Plant – Hellebores

A personal fave of mine is the Hellebores sp. Simply put, a shaded area should not be devoid of a few different hellebores. Their moping heads, disdainfully staring at the soil beg you to pick them up and enjoy their friendly faces.

Coated in chocolate hues, lime greens, or water-colour mahogany they are a shade plant that cannot be denied.

Hostas

Hostas are clearly the ubiquitous plant to grow in shaded areas

I am a big fan of hostas as a shade plant. These are clearly the ubiquitous plant to grow in shaded areas and offer a sense of presence and textured colour rivalled by few other shade lovers. Their deep blue and vermillion hues cast them as the star of dimly lit areas – even without the presence of a single bloom.

Heuchera

Heuchera ‘Marmalade' have pastel shades and textures not displayed by many shade plants

Heuchera ‘Marmalade’

It’s only recently that I’ve fallen in love with heucheras. Initially I wrote them off as an African-violet-wannabe but they’ve since proved their place in my gardens with pastel shades and textures not displayed by many shade plants.

Plus, their late spring/summer flowers perched above a stem seemingly unfit to perform such an activity seem extravagant – yet delightful.

Philodendron

Philodendron is a mainstay in shaded areas

An oldie but a goodie. Philodendrons have seen a resurgence in many contemporary gardens because you just can’t beat a plant that continually performs. It’s a mainstay in shaded areas offering beautiful deep green leaves that look almost fern-like without being a fern.

This list is obviously not exhaustive but if you’re needing some more ideas check out sago palms, ferns, bromeliads, tillandsias and a raft of other plants that you’re likely to find in a rainforest habitat. That shaded area no longer needs to cause you such angst.

Love to hear your thoughts and solutions for shade plants and what’s growing well in your garden.

Related Posts

Sesuvium portulacastrum

How to Grow Sea Purslane in Australia

Sea purslane is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids ...

closeup of Eucalyptus racemosa

Eucalyptus racemosa: Australian Native Growing Guide

Eucalyptus racemosa often gets mistaken for the better-known Eucalyptus haemastoma, ...

Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, commonly known as Red stringybark

Eucalyptus macrorhyncha (Red Stringybark) Growing Guide

Red stringybark isn’t commonly grown in gardens due to its ...

Eucalyptus punctata, commonly known as Grey gum

Eucalyptus punctata (Grey Gum) Growing Guide

One of my all-time favourite Eucalyptus species is Eucalyptus punctata. ...

About the author 

AGT

Since 2007, our team of gardeners and gardening experts have contributed their knowledge to Aussie Green Thumb. We share with you everything you need to get your garden going and maintain it in tip top shape.

Whether your new to gardening or a seasoned gardener, our tips will help you bring your garden to it's full potential. From big backyards and farms to small spaces, balcony gardens and indoor plants. Let us help you grow a better garden!

Leave a Reply


Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Stay Up To Date With Aussie Gardening Tips


Join our newsletter to receive helpful gardening tips specific to Australian gardens.

Featuring:

  • Seasonal gardening tips
  • Monthly gardening tasks for each Australian climate
  • Native plant of the month
  • A curated selection of helpful gardening articles
  • Exclusive promotions for Australian gardeners

Stay in the loop for valuable insights for a flourishing garden.

We promise to only send you helpful gardening emails and nothing more.