Best Plants For Dry Shade

Apr 14

Dry Shade: How to Garden in Challenging Conditions

Gardening in dry shade can be one of the most challenging conditions for any garden enthusiast. Areas like foundation beds, spaces under large trees, or gardens next to buildings often struggle with low light and dry soil. While irrigation can help in some cases, certain spots—especially those beneath mature trees—will remain dry no matter what. The good news is that with a little preparation and the right plant choices, gardening in dry shade can yield stunning results!

In this post, I’ll share essential tips and plant recommendations for creating a thriving garden in dry, shaded areas.

Many ferns are tolerant of dry shade, just be sure to check the plant label **doesn’t** say “moist soil."

Preparing Your Dry Shade Garden Bed

The success of any garden starts with solid soil preparation. In dry shade, soil health is even more crucial because the lack of moisture can limit plant growth. Here’s how to prepare your garden bed for the best results:

Improve Soil Quality: Start by adding organic matter like compost or mulch to your garden bed. Both will help retain moisture, improve soil texture, and enrich the nutrients available to plants.
Weed Thoroughly: Clear out any weeds that could compete with your plants for water and nutrients. Healthy soil will support your plants’ long-term success.
Ensure Proper Irrigation: Even in dry shade, plants will need consistent moisture, especially during our long drought seasons. Install irrigation systems or commit to hand watering to keep your plants hydrated throughout the growing season.

Once you’ve prepared your soil, you’re ready to move on to selecting the right plants for your dry, shaded garden.

**Expert tip:** Compost bins are the workhorse of the garden. They will give you free, high quality soil which is necessary for a healthy garden. When purchasing soil, make sure to look for the word “compost” on the bag or ask a pro for the richest soil they carry.

Ten Best Plants for Dry Shade

When gardening in dry shade, it’s essential to choose plants that are both tough and adaptable to these conditions. Look for species that are known to thrive in low-light, dry soil environments. Here are some great plant options to consider:

**Hostas**: These perennial favourites thrive in shade and tolerate dry conditions once established. With their broad, lush leaves, they provide texture and variety to your garden.

**Solomon’s Seal:** Known for its arching stems and bell-shaped flowers, Solomon’s Seal thrives in dry shade and adds elegance to shaded spots.

**Heuchera (Coral Bells)**: These low-maintenance perennials offer vibrant foliage in shades of red, purple, and green. Heucheras can withstand dry shade once they are well-established.

Astrantia major or Masterwort in the garden. Gardening tips by Jennifer Sleigh Garden Design. — **Astrantia major**: A beautiful perennial that thrives in dry shade, attracts pollinators, and generally blooms from May through September. They also come in a lovely white, perfect for bringing light to dark places.

Brunnera jack frost. Expert Garden design tips from Jennifer Sleigh Garden Design. — **Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’**: Remains green all year and takes any condition. This plant is a work horse and one of the only true blue flowers you’ll find in the garden.

**Ferns**: Our native sword fern, **Polystichum munitum** is as tough as they come and it’s evergreen. Expert tip: Annually cut back the old fronds to the base and the plant will stay bright green and fresh avoiding that dry, brown and “tatty” look.

**Skimmia japonica**: It is one of my top evergreen shrubs. It will give you flowers and berries in the winter depending on the species and the scent in spring is glorious.

**Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald n' Gold'**: It is a great performer in the shade and evergreen. This plant will pop in the landscape all winter and gives you no trouble at all.

**Acer palmatum**: Japanese maples might be one of the toughest plants in the landscape, and the most beautiful.

**Sarcococca**: Sweet box is my last but certainly not least favourite. Happy in a pot, in a dry shade in the garden, and deep shade, this winter flowering highly fragrant evergreen shrub is a must have!

Final Thoughts: Gardening in Dry Shade

Gardening in dry shade doesn’t have to be frustrating. With the right preparation, choosing tough, drought-tolerant plants, and proper maintenance, you can create a beautiful garden in those tricky, shaded spots. Remember, the key to success is ensuring your garden bed has the right soil and moisture conditions to support your plants. With a little effort and patience, you’ll enjoy lush, thriving plantings in your dry shade garden.