4 shady garden design secrets that will transform your outdoor space

Designing a garden drenched with sunlight is easy work, but how do you guarantee planting success when you’ve got a shady plot?

“Shade in the garden is often seen as a challenge, but I like to think of it as an opportunity,” garden and landscape designer, Zoe Claymore, who is designing the British Rainforest Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, tells Country Living.

Shady gardens have long been considered tricky, with little thriving in them (there’s a reason homes with south-facing gardens are in high demand and sell faster). But Zoe believes these shaded spaces are just as valuable.

“As summers become hotter, the cooling effect of shaded gardens and areas will become increasingly valuable – with trees reducing flooding by absorbing rainwater and helping cool homes nearby. Even the darkest corners of a garden can become vibrant and full of life.”

Whether you have a sizeable space or a small garden, these shady garden ideas work for all. Keep reading for all you need to know:

Table of Contents

1. Embrace the shade

white mophead hydrangea 'annabelle' in flower — Alex Manders – Getty Images

“Embrace the shade to create a beautiful garden that is in tune with the changing climate,” says Zoe, who reminds gardeners that shade is no bad thing.

When working with shade, choose a design that naturally fits the conditions – and lean into what you have. “A desert-style or Mediterranean space will likely look out of place and require more work than a woodland vibe, which is naturally shady,” says Zoe.

“Consider adding even more trees to your space – not madness I promise you – to create a peaceful haven. Small trees in cities can increase a sense of privacy and in the countryside can provide a sense of protection. I love blossom trees underplanted with hackonera macra grass for a clean vibe.”

2. Work out what shade you have

Not all gardens have the same shade; some have dry shade (found under trees or near walls), others have all-year-round shade (caused by buildings or under evergreen trees) and a handful boast wet shade (gardens with shade for most of the day resulting in damp and soggy areas).

“You’ll need plants that can cope with limited moisture. My favourite plants for dry shade include Dryopteris ferns, Euphorbia amygdaloides, and Acanthus mollis ‘Rue Ledan’. For wetter shady spaces – such as The Wildlife Trusts’ British Rainforest Garden I’m designing for Chelsea – why not see the magic of moss and create your own woodland wonderland glade?”

shade garden ideas — Fotograf/Photographer Krister Engström – Getty Images

3. Focus on texture and leaf colour

Once you’ve identified the shade type, focus on texture, bark, form, and leaf colour – rather than simply flowers that will fade.

“Leaves and bark last far longer than flowers, so incorporate a range of colours to brighten a shady space,” suggests Zoe. “For a recent woodland garden in London, I used Athyrium ‘Burgundy Lace’, Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, and Dryopteris erythrosora (copper shield fern) to create nearly year-round colour in the darker sections of the space.”

British woodlands are dappled with shade, yet provide ample inspiration for shade-loving planting. “If you have the deciduous shade, go for bluebells, primulas, foxgloves, and cyclamen under native trees such as hazels for a national treasure corner.

By using these classic plants, you can bring the British countryside vibe into even the most urban of settings.”