Category: Shade plants

Grasses for shade

While most ornamental grasses do best in an open sunny position some lower growing woodland varieties grow perfectly in a shady border and can really brighten up a dull corner of the garden.

Hakonechloa macra Aureola (picture above) (Japanese Forest Grass)
Beautiful cascading clump forming grass with striking dark green striping that always looks stunning in a shady spot or container.   For great effect plant with other ornamental foliage plants such as hostas or Japanese maples. Cut back early spring to allow new shoots to emerge.

Hakonecloa macra ‘Beni Kaze’ .  Burgundy wine coloured tints on foliage in the Autumn.

Hakonechloa macra ‘Stripe It Rich’ (picture below right) A new variety which has refreshing fresh lime stripy leaves.

Stipa arundinacea (Pheasant Tail Grass) (Pictured above left)
This graceful pheasant tail grass can be grown in shade where the foliage stays green but for a striking pinky orange colour grow in full sun. plants do tend to natualize in gardens self seeding them selfs around but causing little trouble!. Native to New Zealand.

Luzula nivea (Snowy Woodrush)
Easy to grow in a shady garden. This woodland rush with hairy leaves has tight clusters of white flowers in the summer time . Native to southern Europe. Can be used as gound cover.

Japanese Acers

Japanese Acers or maples bring a tranquil peacefulness to any outdoor space and have intense autumn colours later in the year. The ornamental shaped foliage comes on trees which are either upright, weeping or dwarf. We currently have plenty in stock.

A sheltered spot with good drainage and some dappled light is best for Japanese maples.  Some varieties can cope with more sun than others. Dwarf acers grow well in containers.

New varieties in stock now for spring 22. ‘Black Beauty’& ‘Emerald Lace’

Acer ‘Sango Kaku’ (pictured above) is one of our favourites! A striking small tree with bright orangey red stems in the winter, green spring foliage in the spring and yellow autumn colour – there is something for all seasons. The common name is the coral bark maple and its name means “Sango” coral “Kugu” fountain. It can grow up to 6 metres in 20 years and has an award of garden merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Also in stock is ‘Acer Bloodgood’ (pictured above). Very popular with our customers as it keeps its dark crimson red foliage from spring to autumn.

Acer ‘Inaba shidare’  is a small weeping acer perfect for a zen style Japanese garden or rockery with its lovely delicate dissect purple foliage. Bright red autumn leaves.