A north-facing garden can be tricky to work with, as it typically receives less direct sunlight, often creating colder and shadier conditions. But with time and care, and the right plants, a north-facing garden can offer a great outside space.
What are the best plants for a north-facing garden?
There are several plants which work well in a north-facing garden, and which thrive in shadier and more moist conditions. Always look for plants that tolerate partial to full shade. Here are some of the best options to try:
Shade-Loving Perennials
Perennials are ideal for year-round interest and structure:
- Hostas – known for their lush, large leaves, hostas are low maintenance and come in various shades of green, blue, and variegated patterns.
- Ferns – many ferns including Maidenhair, Japanese painted fern and Ostrich fern, love shady spots and bring a delicate texture to the garden.
- Bleeding Heart – a classic woodland plant with heart-shaped flowers that hang on arching stems, blooming in spring.
- Lungwort – known for its speckled foliage and early spring flowers, lungwort is excellent in cool, shady gardens.
Ground Covering Plants
Ground-covering plants help fill in gaps in shady spots and prevent soil erosion too:
- Lily of the Valley – a fragrant, white-flowered plant which spreads well in shaded areas.
- Ajuga – known for its colourful foliage and blue-purple spring flowers, ajuga can tolerate deeper shade and spreads easily.
- Pachysandra – a low-growing plant with glossy green foliage, pachysandra is excellent for carpeting shaded areas.
Shrubs for Shady Gardens
Shrubs add structure, height and colour throughout the year. Hydrangeas and camellia can add structure too. Boxwood is a shade-tolerant evergreen ideal for hedging or topiary. And Japanese skimmia thrives in the shade.
Shade-Loving Annuals
Annuals bring seasonal colour to north-facing gardens and are a good option for filling in spaces. Choose impatiens, begonias and fuchsias for striking flowers, perfect for pots or hanging baskets.
Bulbs for Shady Areas
Spring-flowering bulbs often do well in partially shaded areas. Choose snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells which will all naturalise over time.
Vines and Climbers
For adding vertical interest or covering walls and fences ivy is a tough climber and some honeysuckle varieties do well in partial shade producing fragrant flowers.
Edible Plants for Shade
Some herbs and vegetables tolerate shade well, including mint which thrives in cooler, shaded areas. Be sure to contain it though, as it can be very invasive! Other good options include parsley, chives, lettuce and spinach.
Benefits and disadvantages of a north-facing garden
A north-facing garden has several benefits, particularly for those who appreciate cooler environments or want to experiment with shade-loving plants. Shadier spaces are often more low maintenance too, as plants grow slower than in sunnier spots and are likely to need less watering.
While a north-facing garden has its advantages, it also comes with some challenges. There’s usually little to no direct sunlight, especially in winter. Colder and wetter conditions can restrict the variety of plants which can be grown, as many plants need warmer soil to thrive. Additionally, some flowering plants may struggle to bloom or produce fewer flowers.
North-facing garden ideas
There are of course other options if you have north north-facing garden. Some hard landscaping can work well, and patios and ponds can offer low-maintenance options which offer interest whatever the weather! Decorative stones such as slate, pebbles or chippings can help across beds and borders, or to soften patios, and if parts of the garden are too shady, containers offer flexibility to move plants around.
It’s also important to think about improving the soil. North-facing gardens are often cooler and wetter, so good drainage is important. Consider adding organic matter such as mulch or compost to enrich the soil too.
Finally don’t forget to look at the shade patterns across the garden. Some north-facing gardens receive indirect or dappled sunlight, so take note of what’s happening and place or relocate any plants accordingly.
Check out our range of blogs that work well in your outdoor space if your garden faces south, east or west.
Products for your north-facing garden
If you are looking for high-quality and peat-free products to help your north-facing garden thrive, we have everything you need at Earth Cycle. All our products are delivered in handy bulk bags and we also offer free shipping!
