Enhance your shade garden with six plant options!

Enhance your shade garden with six plant options!

Uncover the hidden gems that thrive in the shadows...

Shade loving plants.

Impatiens

Impatiens are one of the most popular plants for shade - and it's easy to see why. They bloom constantly throughout spring and summer, offering flowers in just about every colour, and couldn't be easier to grow. Look for New Guinea impatiens, which bear larger blossoms and stockier stems; double impatiens, which feature petal-filled, roselike flowers; or mini-impatiens, which cover themselves in small blooms.

Coleus

Grow coleus for its fantastic foliage - there are hundreds of varieties, and they feature leaves splashed, spotted, streaked, and otherwise coloured with shades of chartreuse, purple, pink, red, black, and green. Make eye-catching combinations by growing a few varieties of coleus together - or complement your favourite flowers with coleuses that have similar leaf colours.

Hellebore

Hellebore (Helleborus), also called Christmas rose, is one of the earliest bloomers in shady gardens. Look for its burgundy, pink, cream, green, or white flowers in late winter or early spring. Although it looks delicate, the Christmas rose is quite sturdy once it gets established. Hellebore grows 30cm tall.

Corydalis

Yellow Corydalis is a hard-working perennial that takes the prize for being the longest bloomer in the shade garden. Enjoy its clusters of yellow flowers from spring until winter. It's not just the flowers that are beautiful; the grey-green leaves are attractive as well. The plant grows about 30cm tall.

Liriope

Used often as a groundcover or an edging plant, liriope is so popular for good reason. It stays evergreen year-round in many climates, produces blue or white flowers, and is about as tough a plant as you'll hope to meet. Its dense tufts of almost-evergreen, broadly grassy leaves are often striped. Stiff stems bear tight spikes of tiny blue or white bells, similar to those of grape hyacinth. It is best protected from drying winds in rich well-drained soil that retains moisture. Plant in composted, moist but well-drained soil. Can be grown in drier regions provided it is watered regularly. Not suited to hot, humid conditions or dry inland areas.

Streptocarpus

Also known as the Cape primrose and related to the African violet. Streptocarpus Formosus flowers almost throughout summer, from late spring to autumn. One or two flowers are formed at the tips of the long flowering stems. The large trumpet-shaped flowers are white with soft mauve markings that run along the edge of the petals and into the distinctive yellow throat. Many species are perfectly suitable for the shady garden which has cool conditions and good organic soil.

(SOURCE: Home-Dzine)

For the beginner gardeners who are hoping to get their hands dirty, here are some tips on how to grow a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing garden that will help boost property values.

Consider long term growth.

A common mistake is to plant vegetation too close to the walls of the home. When the plant grows, its roots can cause damage to the home's foundation, or its branches could damage the walls. Although a plant might start off small, it is always important to consider how large the plant will grow over the long term.  

Orientation of the home

Different plants will require different amounts of sunshine and shade. Find out which side of the property is north facing as this side of the home will receive the most amount of sunshine. When purchasing plants, be sure to check whether the plants prefer sunshine or shade.

Water-wise plants

In dry climates such as South Africa, it is preferable to plant water-wise plants such as succulents. To help keep the soil moist for longer, spread a layer of mulch over the garden beds. The mulch will also help prevent soil erosion, which can become a problem, particularly in windy areas such as coastal suburbs.

Think low-maintenance.

Keeping a garden well maintained can take a lot of time, but leaving a garden unkept can cause damage and lead to costly repairs. Make your own (and a future buyers) life easier by planting low-maintenance plants that do not require too much special treatment or regular pruning.    

Having a well-maintained garden can be a serious drawcard for future buyers. Having your own private outdoor space is becoming less available as more modern developments move towards apartment or complex living. Those who do have outdoor space could add great value to the property if they put a little effort into making it as appealing as possible.

Extract from Property 24