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Tall plants for shade

#1 · 25th July 2024, 3:45 pm

I have only been gardening for a few years so still experimenting. The biggest problem is the light. It is a small garden overshadowed by trees at the back and the house from the front and apart from the middle everything else only getting up to four hours sun a day. I have managed OK with part shade plants in most of it but at the back which is largely shade I have little success mainly because it is almost constant shade. I like tall plants and grasses to disguise the enclosed feeling of the fences and ugly trellis at the back which is in front of an even uglier fence backing on to the local crack den.

I am looking for tall plants like the Verbena Bonariensis which are planted between grasses, geums and sea holly in the centre. I have planted a Joe Pye Weed in one corner by the existing tree which gets some dappled sun as it moves through the day but everything else of height is either straggly or just stays at 50cm.

I dont really want a climber with "pretty flowers" but something more robust to match the grasses and Verbena, sea holly etc I would need to be a least one and half metres if possible. Am I expecting too much ?

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#2 · 30th July 2024, 1:42 pm

Hi @unionworkeruk

Thanks for your question. The niggle is that most 'tal plants' need plenty of sun to be able to put the effort into growing that tall.

There are a few shady plant exceptions, though, which may help you.

Try the shrub Ninebark - Physocarpus if you want to block off some height and get some beautiful white flowers in the summer. They will cope with shade.

You already have Thalictrum, so keep up with that.

The next is Artemisia vulgaris (often misplaced as a weed but a great herbaceous tall grower). Flowers are indiscreet, but it's a wonderful plant that will cope with ANYTHING.

Lastly Kerria japonica for tall height and bright yellow flowers.

Hoppe, that helps, and keep up the good work!

Lee Garden Ninja