PLANTS SUITABLE FOR DRY SHADE

Just as garden beds exposed to full sun can present a challenge in terms of selecting suitable plants, designing a garden in shade or semi-shade, particularly under big trees, can also be difficult in the hot, dry conditions present in many Adelaide gardens. Fortunately, there are a number of plants that not only grow well in such conditions, but look spectacular, both in terms of foliage, colour and texture.

Groundcover plants
• Geranium macrorrhizum (Big root geranium)
• Kennedia prostrata (This one needs plenty of space to spread)
• Plectranthus argentatus
• Succulents. Many succulents, such as Echeveria glauca, Echeveria elegans and Kalanchoe pumila to name only a few, will do well in shade and make an attractive garden border.
Shrubs
• Aquilegia (Columbines). These dainty plants will appreciate a little water and have a tendency to self-seed, but are great perennial plants.
• Anemone species. These plants also self-seed, but are much hardier than Aquilegias, with a range of mainly pink colours available.
• Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea. (Barberry) The foliage of this deciduous small shrub will add a touch of colour to the garden bed.
• Camellia Paradise varieties. These particular Sasanqua camellias cope better than many of the other Camellias with little water.
• Correa species. The dark green leaves of many of the small species of correa make an attractive addition to a shady area and lend themselves well to being hedged.
• Hebe species. Many of these will still flower in semi-shade.
• Helichrysum petiolare (Liquorice plant). The light blue/grey of this plants contrasts well with Berberis thunbergia atropurpurea.
• Hellebores. (Winter rose). A stunning addition to any garden, flowering over a long period when there is not much other colour around.
• Salvia species. Not all salvias do well in semi-shade, but many do. Examples are Salvia microphylla and Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’.
• Philadelphus (Mock Orange) The sweet-smelling mock orange will do well in part-shade, although more sun will increase flower numbers.
• Syzigium ‘Tiny Tim’ or ‘Allyn Magic’. These small shrubs make  excellent hedge plants.

Strappy-leaf plants
• Arthropodium cirrhatum. The broad mid-green strappy leaves of this plant are a welcome addition to any garden, whether in full or part-shade. They have sprays of white flowers that rise above the foliage over a long period.
• Aspidistra elatior (Cast-iron plant). These old-fashioned plants will thrive in either full or part-shade, and, as the name suggests, are extremely hardy.
• Canna lilies. Growing from rhizomes, these hardy plants have flowers that range from yellow to orange to bright red. Some have coloured or variegated foliage. They do well in part-shade.
• Clivia miniata. This old-fashioned favourite is another very tough plant that grows well in full or part-shade and under trees. The dark-green leaves have a lush appearance and you can choose from cream, yellow, or orange/red flowers.
• Dianella varieties. Although these will not flower as well in the shade, if grown for foliage value, they are well suited to part-shade.
• Ophiopogon japonicus. (Mondo grass). Mondo grass comes in either full or dwarf size. The dwarf variety makes a good garden border and does well between pavers.