What to plant (shaded area)

[gaoler]

Hello everyone.

Can you help. My girlfriend and i have a section in our garden that gets very little sun any time of the year, well maybe just a little in the mornings. We desperatly want to plant something that will bring a bit of colour to what is at present a vacant space.

Can anyone suggest some shade loving flowering plants , the prettier the better, that don't grow much more than 2 feet tall, and preferably annual ones that wont need replanting.

Many Many thanks

[JMR27]

Hostas and heucheras are shade-loving plants. Both are perennial - the hostas die down in the winter but come again in the Spring and you can get some nice variegated plants - green/white, green/yellow etc. Heucheras have smallish flowers but the foliage lasts throughout the year - there are purples, yellow, bronze and numerous variegated types

[gaoler]

Thanks JMR27 that will give us somewhere to start.

[amonty1144]

I particularly like ajugas, a very pretty purple and they spread and cover the weeds.

but try this site, they have hundreds.

http://www.plantsforshade.co.uk/

[beanebabe]

I have a shady area in my garden and Buginia (spelling? aka Elephant's Ears), Astillbe's, Lily-of-the-Valley and Rosemary (and Hostas) all seem to do OK.

[tinpotLizzie]

Hellebores, hellebores & more hellebores!
Lots of different colours, foliage all the year round, doubles, singles, tall & small - you've probably guessed that I love them & so will you - give them a try, you won't regret it.
Best wishes, Ann.