Planting for a Spring flowering shady border

If you have an area of shady garden or border roughly 1.5m square with a view from your kitchen or conservatory, this planting combination will make for an uplifting spring flowering border. Full of the classic spring colours of white, yellow and purple, for a welcome addition to the spring garden. If planted near to a path the White Hyacinth will bring you beautiful scent and the delicate bowing heads of the Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ (Dog’s Teeth Violet) adds delicateness with its reflexed petals and pale yellow tones. For a wall or fence nearby I have included the very beautiful climber, Clematis ‘Bill MacKenzie’ and this will go on to flower during summer and autumn, with a remaining presence during winter with its enchanting seed heads.

This border will certainly flourish in spring but will go on to delight throughout the seasons. The Hamamelis mollis (Chinese Witch Hazel) will also bring height to the border and during the winter and early spring its fragrant deep golden yellow flowers will be a joy to see and smell.

Here are the plants Judi has selected. Click any plant below to learn more and add to your own plant list. The numbering key is listed for each plant to reference back to the number key in the plan. Where there are multiple plants needed the quantities are also listed below the plant names.

Plants for a Spring flowering shady border