These 7 shade-loving perennials will instantly lift a dull, dark garden – they'll create a colourful haven where nothing else will grow

Light levels vary from garden to garden, but shade is inevitable in all but the sunniest of spaces. But whether you’re faced with a dark and gloomy corner or an entire garden constantly in shade from trees or neighbouring buildings, choose a shade-loving perennial, and it needn’t be all doom and gloom.

Lack of sunlight can make shady areas and north-facing gardens a challenge, but there are many perennials that love these dark and sometimes damp conditions. And spring is a great time to plant shade-loving perennials, allowing time for them to settle in and develop strong root systems before the heat of summer arrives.

‘With spring officially here, hardy perennials are waking up from their winter slumber. But to help make the most of the season and brighten up those trickier, shaded areas of the garden, it pays to choose a shade-loving perennial,’ says Shelley Davies, flower expert at Flying Flowers. ‘And there are plenty of plants that will flourish in lower levels of light.’

1. Bergenia

‘For a reliable, year-round staple, look no further than bergenias,’ says Shelley. ‘Often called “Elephant’s Ears” thanks to their oversized foliage, these versatile perennials with gorgeous glossy leaves and bright pink flowers offer structure and colour through every season.’

‘Bergenias are remarkably low-maintenance and thrive in almost any environment, making them a “set it and forget it” favourite for garden flower beds and border ideas. Plus, their early-season blooms provide a vital nectar boost for bees and other pollinators just as they’re waking up.’

Where to buy bergenias:

• Gardening Express: Add a pop of colour with the vibrant pink Bergenia cordifolia - Elephants Ears, £3.99.
• Crocus: Or try this cerise purple Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' elephant's ears, from £9.99.

2. Hellebores

‘Hellebores are another fantastic hardy perennial, bridging the gap between late winter and early spring with their iconic speckled petals and range of colours,’ says Shelley. ‘They are remarkably easy to care for, requiring nothing more than a quick leaf prune before the summer heat kicks in.’

‘And if you’re looking to cultivate a woodland garden atmosphere, these are the perfect addition to your borders. They also make gorgeous cut flowers, if you cut them at the right time and slice their stems to avoid drooping in a vase.’

Where to buy hellebores:

• J. Parker's: Enjoy a mix of varieties and colours with this Helleborus Collection, £27.95 per pack of five.
• Crocus: Or add drama with the near-black flowers of Helleborus × hybridus 'Dark and Handsome', from £12.99.

3. Astilbe

‘To brighten up a damp or shadowy corner, astilbe is your go-to,’ advises Shelley. ‘When it comes to different types of garden shade, these perennials love partial shade and thrive near water features, offering a massive explosion of colour where other plants may struggle.’

‘For the most dramatic impact, plant them in clusters to showcase their feathery plumes. They come in a wide variety of shades, from the crisp white Bridal Veil, from £9.99 at Crocus, the pink and romantic Bressingham Beauty, from £10.99, Primrose, to the moody, deep burgundy of Darkside of the Moon, from £14.99, Suttons.

Where to buy astilbes:

• Gardeners Dream: Try this super-pretty raspberry pink Astilbe 'Short 'n' Sweet Raspberry, from £8.98.
• J. Parker's: Or go for a colourful mix of colours with the Astilbe Visions Mix False Goat's Beard, from £11.99.

4. Geranium sanguineum

For a great garden all-rounder, hardy geraniums (also known as cranesbills) are hard to beat. Long-flowering, reliable, easy to grow and known as a perennial that thrives on neglect, plus many hardy geraniums will thrive in shady areas too.

In particular, geranium sanguineum ‘pink pouffe’, from £22.99, Thompson & Morgan, with its pale pink flowers lined with darker pink veins, is a hardy shade-loving perennial that grows well in semi-shade or dappled shade. Flowering from June to August, mid-green foliage forms in a loose mound, making it an effective groundcover plant that will come back bigger and better each year.

Where to buy geranium sanguineum:

• Dobies: Add delicate pink groundcover to borders with this Geranium sanguineum 'Appleblossom', from £14.99.
• Amazon: Or go for the slightly darker tones of this Geranium sanguineum Pink Pouffe, £12.59.

5. Hostas

‘Whether you need a tiny accent or a massive focal point, hostas are the ultimate foliage plant,’ says Shelley. ‘These versatile perennials are ideal for edging garden paths, filling out woodland borders, or adding lush textures to containers.’

‘While known for their dramatic leaves, they also produce soft, lily-like flowers in shades of white, lavender, and deep purple, and pair beautifully with contrasting companions, like the bold, yellow spikes of the Leopard plant, £14.99, B&Q or the delicate blue blossoms of the Heartleaf philodendron, £22.99, Gardeners Dream.'

Where to buy hostas:

• Suttons: There's no worry about them being eaten with this Hosta Snail Resistant Collection, from £19.99.
• B&Q: Or go for a mix of leaf shapes and colours with the Hosta Collection of five, £14.99.

6. Dicentra

If you want to bring a splash of vibrant colour to a shady area, then you won’t go far wrong with this whimsical cottage garden plant. Dicentra is a flowering perennial that produces dozens of pretty, heart-shaped flowers on long arching stems and is commonly known as 'bleeding hearts' due to the delicate white tear that hangs beneath each bloom.

Best of all, dicentra is a great shade-loving plant to grow under trees, so if you have a troublesome area that gets little light or want to create a woodland-themed or wildlife garden, then it’s a must-have. And dicentra is also an excellent shade-loving plant for pots if you have a shady patio or deck that needs brightening up.

Where to buy dicentra:

• Gardening Express: Add wow with the stunning Dicentra spectabilis (Lamprocapnos) - Bleeding Heart plant, £7.99.
• J. Parker's: Or enjoy a variety of plants with the Dicentra Collection, £15.98 for a pack of 6.

7. Bluebells

‘We’ve all seen woodlands carpeted in bluebells during the spring, which is the perfect proof of how much they love the shade,’ says Shelley. ‘These hardy, bulbous perennials emerge to transform dim, shadowed corners with an unmistakable flood of blue before naturally dying back in the summer, only to return and repeat the show every year.’

‘Beyond their beauty, bluebells’ vibrant colour is one of the two flower colours that attracts bees, making them a beacon for pollinators and providing a vital source of sweet nectar for bees and butterflies.’

Where to buy bluebells:

• Thompson & Morgan: These delicate blue blooms are perfect for a woodland garden English Bluebells, from £10.99.
• Suttons: Or go for this unusual white variety, Bluebell 'White', from £10.99.

Is your garden dark and shady? Let us know what you'll be planting to brighten up beds and borders this spring.