Dry shade can be one of the more challenging areas of the garden, but there are plenty of plants that will grow successfully with the right preparation and care.

Match plants to the level of shade

It’s worth remembering that there are different degrees of shade in the garden, from very dark corners to the filtered light beneath large, fine-leaved trees. This will influence which plants are best suited to your area.

Some plants will cope with quite deep, dry shade, while others are better where there is filtered light or a little more moisture available.

Groundcovers

• Ajuga species – useful spreading groundcovers for shaded areas.
• Japanese anemone (Anemone japonica) – suitable for lighter shade, although it will perform better where the soil retains some moisture.
• Campanula (Campanula poscharskyana) – a low-growing, spreading plant suited to light or partial shade.
• Low-growing impatiens varieties – best in lighter shade and will need more regular moisture than some of the tougher dry-shade plants.
• Lamium (Lamium galeobdolon) – a spreading groundcover suited to partial or full shade.
• Phlomis species – hardy plants that can tolerate relatively dry conditions once established.

Low-growing plants

• Rengarenga lily (Arthropodium cirratum) – a hardy NZ native that grows particularly well in dry shade, including beneath trees.
• Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia) – a tough perennial that tolerates shade and drier conditions once established.
• Clivia (Clivia miniata) – one of the best choices for a dry, shady position, with evergreen foliage and colourful flowers.
• Tūrutu (Dianella nigra) – a NZ native suited to semi-shade and able to tolerate drier conditions once established.
• Liriope (Liriope muscari) – a useful evergreen edging or groundcover plant that grows well in light to partial shade and tolerates dry soil once established.

Shrubs

• Fatsia (Fatsia japonica) – an evergreen shrub with large, glossy leaves that performs well in shade and can tolerate drier conditions once established.
• Hydrangea species – best suited to lighter shade and will need more moisture than many other plants on this list, particularly during dry weather.
• Sarcococca (Sarcococca ruscifolia) – a compact evergreen shrub well suited to dry shade, with small, fragrant flowers in winter.

Prepare the soil and help plants establish

Even plants that tolerate dry shade still need good soil preparation and regular watering while they establish.

Before planting, break up the existing soil and work in fresh compost to add organic matter and help improve moisture retention. Choose strong, healthy plants and water them regularly until their root systems are well established.

During particularly dry summers, apply mulch around the plants to help conserve soil moisture and continue watering when needed, especially beneath established trees where there can be strong competition for water.

Choosing plants to suit the level of shade, and giving them a good start, will make a big difference to how well they perform.