In this Dry Shade Special podcast episode, Mike dispels the common fear around planting in a dry, shady area.  

Many gardeners, irrespective of their knowledge and experience, visibly quake at the knees at the mention of 'dry shade'.  So, in this episode recorded in his own back garden, Mike talks through the plants he has used to great effect to bring a dry shady border alive, year-round with trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses and spring flowering bulbs.  

It probably goes without saying that a dry, shady border isn't going to hold the same magnificence and impact of a burgeoning, summer border in full sun.  However, the beauty of an edge of woodland shade planting with stunningly choreographed foliage plants, spring bulbs, deliciously scented shrubs, ferns and grasses carries its own gentler, quieter beauty. 

As always, if you have any questions about this episode, and in particular a dry shady border of your own, please contact Mike through the podcast email address, [email protected]. 

As promised, here is the plant listing discussed in today's episode, alongside some pictures of Mikes beautiful dry-shade border in his  Bournemouth garden on the south coast of the United Kingdom. 

Plant list:

There are many plants that will cope and thrive in dry shade. A little homework beforehand to check on how much shade specific plants can cope with is advisable.  The following list of plants are those which thrive in Mike's dry, shady border - See pictures here!

Acers in variety, tree ferns (Dicksonia antartica), Skimmia japonica 'Rubella' / 'Fragrant Cloud' / 'Kew White', spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica), winter box (Sarcococca confuse, S. hookeriana), Mahonia 'Charity', climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris), hydrangeas in variety, hellebores in variety, pheasant grass (Anemanthele lessoniana (syn. Stipa arundinacea)), hakon grass (Hakonechloa), narcissus, snowdrops & tulips in variety, ferns in variety (incl Dryoptris affinis 'Cristata', Asplenium scolopendrium, Polystichum setiferum, Dryopteris erythrosora), epimediums in variety, heucheras in variety (incl Heuchera 'Obsidian', H. 'Marmalade', H. 'Fire Chief'), foxgloves (Digitialis purpurea), Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty', astrantia in variety, hosta in variety, hardy geranium (incl Geranium phaeum 'Samobor', G. phaeum 'Album'), Persicaria 'Red Dragon', camellias in variety. 

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