Embracing a shady corner

Shady corners can be an area of the garden that gets forgotten, or turned into ‘casual storage’. It might be damp, gloomy or overgrown. It can be hard to prioritise these spots, but it can be so rewarding to spend a bit of time to give it some intention. Here are a few ideas to bring shady corners to life:

Add a destination such as a bench or small table and chairs can transform an area that doesn’t get much traffic, even if it doesn’t get used until the warmest summer days (which are feeling rather distant at the moment, admittedly). Make sure to put down a few flat stones or some bark mulch where feet tend to scuff the ground, especially if it’s damp.

Wildlife corner – a change in perspective, from ‘abandoned’ to deliberately less frequented. Add logs to decay naturally and arrange dead garden waste in pyramids or a dead hedge. Plant woodland natives to give food and shelter to creatures. Add a nest box if the aspect is appropriate. Allow a bit of ivy to go wild and provide food sources through the winter and shelter during the summer, and watch the bees and birds appreciate your lack of efforts! And enjoy lending your unused space to the ever more squeezed wildlife.

Explore some of the plants that will thrive in the conditions. One idea is a fernery - add logs and a variety of the amazing diversity of ferns available. Check out a specialist like Shady Plants in Gloucestershire to really explore all the different plants that will thrive with less sunlight.