How to create a thriving shaded garden

As you may remember, we recently revealed that homes advertised with a south-facing garden are some of the most desirable homes on the market.

Our study showed that homes listed with a south-facing garden are priced more than £20,000 higher on average than homes without, but what about if your home doesn’t have one and you want to make the most of your outdoor space?

Well, fear not, as we have asked our friends at Dobbies Garden Centres to share their expert gardening knowledge with you all.

In this article, they’ll explain why you shouldn’t rule out homes with north, east, or west-facing gardens – and how you can make the most of such gardens if your home already has one.

Just because these gardens may get less sun, it doesn’t mean your outside space has to be any less exciting or any less colourful.

So, here’s how you can create a thriving shaded garden…

Make the most of your outdoor space

1. One of the best things about having an east or west-facing garden is that you get full sun at either the beginning or end of the day. This means that in warm weather, you are guaranteed a sunny slot. Bask in the summer sun and enjoy breakfast outside, or invite friends and family to come and enjoy the afternoon or evening sun with a garden barbecue.

2. A firepit is a great focal point, allowing you to inject some warmth into a milder afternoon and create a cosy and inviting spot. Whether your outdoor space is an urban balcony, a modern design with an alfresco dining area or a country garden with lush greenery and landscaped lawns – there is a garden fire pit for you. The addition of some outdoor heating will mean that long after the sun has set, you can still be comfortably sitting out in the garden.

3. For atmospheric evenings, accessorise with a variety of lanterns, fairy lights and candles to enhance the mood – it’s amazing how magical a space can look at twilight.Use blankets, floor cushions and chunky knit throws to keep warm and curl up under the stars, the perfect way to spend a summers evening.

Pick the right plants to freshen up your garden

Evergreen Azalea – These pretty flowers will add a burst of colour to your outdoor space, available in rich reds, purple and soft creamy white and pastel pink. Breaking up other dark evergreens such as Laurels and hedges, these low maintenance plants will tolerate shade and, depending on the type, generally grow up to four feet tall.

Forget-me-nots – Showering gardens with colour in springtime, the classic blue forget-me-not can tolerate both full sun and part shade and grow best in damp shady areas, often found growing near brooks and streams underneath woodland. Working well as a filler plant, they will thrive in any type of soil as long as it’s moist but well drained.

Campanula (Bell Flowers) – A popular choice in many gardens across the UK, these flowers look lovely in a bed or border, over low walls or rock gardens. Returning year after year, colours range from pure white to deep blue and vibrant violet, helping to brighten up any outdoor space.

Camellias – Bringing colour to shady areas, these striking evergreen plants work well in containers or as large impressive garden plants. These generally bloom better in partial shade and are best planted in autumn once soil has been warmed during the summer months but before the harsh chill of winter.

Ferns – Perfect for shady gardens, lush leafy ferns paired with Camellias will create an oriental garden feel for your very own space of calm and zen on the doorstep. Thriving in rich moist soil with good drainage, choose Painted Ferns for a more colourful variety, these have a grey tinge that looks painted with flashes of silver and purple. Growing horizontally rather than upright, these hardy plants will carpet the ground with a layer of texture and colour.

Foxgloves – Suited to gardens with sun, part shade or dappled shade, they add a sense of country charm and height to the back of borders. There are a number of types to choose from, but as a general rule they prefer moist, well-draining soil. A brilliant source of nectar for bees, they will attract wildlife to your garden. It’s safest to avoid planting if you have young children or pets as they are known to be poisonous.

Begonia – Great for sun and shade, they will add a pop of colour wherever you choose to plant them. Plant up in hanging baskets, window boxes or planters and enjoy a blooming lovely display throughout the summer.

Kitchen garden – Mediterranean herbs love full sun, especially Thyme, Rosemary, and Lavender – but there are a number of herbs that will thrive in partial shade, such as Chives, Coriander, Parsley and Rocket, keeping you supplied with homegrown pickings.

So there you have it, we hope you’re now armed with plenty of ideas to give your garden a new lease of life.

As you would with any room in your home, planning is key to help your garden reach its full potential.

READ MORE: Find out why home-hunters are prioritising bigger gardens