Plants for Shade

One of the most common questions we’re asked is “What plants can I grow in shade?” There are a surprising number of flowering plants, climbing plants and even container plants that thrive in the shadows, so we've put together this handy selection to help you choose.

Need help picking?
Perennial plants (496) Heuchera plants (12)Hostas (15)Foxgloves (10)Woodland garden plants (141)Climbing plants for shade (48)
  • Perfect Plants for Shade | Woodland Wonderland Perennial Bedding
    From £35
    £45 From £35

    Perfect Plants for Shade | Woodland Wonderland

    Bring a shady border to life!

    • Shade-tolerant foliage and flowering plants
    • Plant in a shaded bed or border
    • Flowers from April to November
    • Hardy young plants well-suited to UK growing

    2 options available

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  • Heuchera 'Wildberry' Perennial Bedding
    From £18
    From £18

    Heuchera 'Wildberry'

    Superb purple leaves year-round

    • Happiest in partial shade
    • Add dramatic purple to pots and borders
    • Flowers June to August
    • Evergreen for genuine year-round interest

    Currently out of stock

  • Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus quinquefolia Climbing Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus quinquefolia

    A blazing canvas of autumn fire

    • Five-lobed leaves turn fiery shades in autumn
    • Incredibly fast-growing
    • Grows well in all light conditions
    • Inconspicuous green flowers in summer

    2 options available

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  • Heuchera 'Indian Summer Cranberry' | 3L Pot Perennial Bedding
    From £18
    From £18

    Heuchera 'Indian Summer Cranberry'

    Juicy-red leaves for year-round colour

    • Rich red foliage with a hint of berry purple
    • Low-growing, amazing for vigorous ground-cover
    • Buy an almost mature plant of significant size
    • Produces tiny pink flowers in the summer

    2 options available

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  • Video thumbnail

    Video Tips

    The best ever plants for shade

  • Heuchera 'Marmalade' Perennial Bedding
    From £16
    £18 From £16

    Heuchera 'Marmalade'

    Loves the shade, deserves the limelight!

    • Incredible two-toned red and orange foliage
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit Winner
    • Hardy evergreen perennial
    • Adds year-round vibrance to your garden space

    2 options available

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  • Heuchera 'Wild Rose' | 3L Pot Perennial Bedding
    From £16
    £18 From £16

    Heuchera 'Wild Rose'

    Powerfully purple, all year long

    • Happy in full sun to partial shade
    • Add purple to pots and borders
    • Flowers June to August
    • Hardy and evergreen for year-round interest

    2 options available

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  • Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade' Perennial Bedding
    From £18
    From £18

    Heuchera 'Lime Marmalade'

    Add a dash of lime to your garden space

    • Stunningly vibrant lime-green leaves all year round
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit Winner
    • Adds year-round vibrance to your garden space
    • Buy an almost mature plant of significant size

    1 option available

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  • Red Bamboo | Fargesia scabrida 'Asian Wonder' Shrubs
    From £40
    From £40

    Red Bamboo | Fargesia scabrida 'Asian Wonder'

    An excellent screening plant

    • Upright stems which arch slightly at the top
    • Grows up to 4m (can be kept shorter)
    • Bluish, pointed, evergreen leaves (clumping)
    • Forms neatly-contained, dense clumps

    2 options available

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  • Growers' Talk

    Top 10 Plants for Shade

  • Chinese Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus henryana Climbing Plants
    From £30
    From £30

    Chinese Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus henryana

    Vigorous autumn climber

    • Silvery green and burgundy foliage
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
    • Can cope in full sun or shade
    • Fab fruit-foliage colour contrast in autumn

    2 options available

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  • Premium Fern Collection Pond Plants
    £45
    £45

    Premium Fern Collection

    The perfect collection of stylish ferns

    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Brings a range of texture to your space
    • A variety of complementary colours
    • Ideal for damp ground and shady borders

    1 option available

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  • Woodland Fern Collection Perennial Bedding
    From £20
    £24 From £20

    Woodland Fern Collection

    Primal-feeling forest ferns

    • Includes a variety of distinct fern plants
    • Ideal for shady borders and woodland gardens
    • Colours to contrast and complement
    • A range of textures for maximum interest

    3 options available

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  • Dwarf Hairgrass| Oxygenating Pond Plants
    From £15
    From £15

    Oxygenating Dwarf Hairgrass | Eleocharis acicularis

    The brightest, greenest grass!

    • Zone 2 - Pond Edges
    • Suitable for growing in full sun or partial shade
    • Flowers from August to September
    • Keeps your pond healthy and clean

    5 options available

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  • Discover

    Climbers to brighten a shady spot

  • The All Year Round Heuchera Collection Perennial Bedding
    From £45
    £48 From £45

    The All Year Round Heuchera Collection

    Frilled foliage in happy hues

    • Heucheras in colours from lime to purple
    • Excellent for woodland-style schemes
    • Flowers from June to August
    • Well-suited to shady conditions

    1 option available

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  • Best Ever Hosta Collection Perennial Bedding
    From £40
    £45 From £40

    Best Ever Hosta Collection

    Our very best hostas!

    • Features a range of variegated sensations
    • Perfect for Japanese and woodland gardens
    • Blooms from July to August
    • Grows nicely in shadier locations (and pots)

    1 option available

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  • Japanese Painted Fern | Athyrium niponicum metallicum Pond Plants
    £23
    £23

    Japanese Painted Fern | Athyrium niponicum metallicum

    Year-round texture and interest

    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Colour changing foliage
    • Blue, green, maroon and silver tones
    • Adds interest to shady borders, ponds or woodland gardens

    1 option available

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  • Autumn Fern | Dryopteris Erythrosora 'Koidzumiana' Perennial Bedding
    £8
    £8

    Autumn Fern | Dryopteris erythrosora 'Koidzumiana'

    Autumnal shades all year round

    • Fronds turn through red, orange, copper and gold before maturing to green
    • Grow in pots or a shady woodland border
    • Compact and neat form, growing to 50x50cm
    • Easy to grow, with no pruning needed

    1 option available

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  • 3 Lady Fern | Athyrium filix femina | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    £23
    £23

    Lady Fern | Athyrium filix femina

    An elegant deciduous fern

    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Delicate lacy foliage
    • The brightest green
    • British native fern, perfect cover for wildlife

    1 option available

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  • Athyrium Metallicum Pond Plants
    From £8
    From £8

    Japanese Painted Fern | Athyrium metallicum

    Year-round texture and interest

    • Adds interest to shady borders, ponds or woodland gardens
    • An elegant colour-changing fern
    • Blue, green, maroon and silver tones
    • Standout choice for adding texture and interest

    2 options available

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  • Painted Lady Fern | Athyrium Niponicum 'Pictum' Perennial Bedding
    £8
    £8

    Painted Lady Fern | Athyrium Niponicum 'Pictum'

    Award winning foliage, flushed with silver

    • Grey-green fronds with a silver and purple shimmer
    • Ideal for a shady patio or woodland border
    • Long lasting, fully hardy foliage
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit

    1 option available

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  • Crested Wood Fern | Cristata The King Perennial Bedding
    From £8
    From £8

    Crested Wood Fern | 'Cristata The King'

    Regal fern, majestic presence

    • Adds interest to shady borders, ponds or woodland gardens
    • Arching fronds with crested tips
    • Rich green
    • Create a sense of enchantment

    2 options available

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  • Japanese Lace fern | Polystichum polyblepharum Perennial Bedding
    £8
    £8

    Japanese Lace fern | Polystichum polyblepharum

    Evergreen fern for year-round colour

    • Emerald green fronds that emerge with golden hairs
    • Grow in pots on a shady patio or as part of a woodland border
    • Fully pest and disease resistant
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit

    1 option available

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  • 3 Japanese Tassel Ferns | 9 cm Pots Pond Plants
    £23
    £23

    Japanese Tassel Ferns

    Fresh colours all year round

    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Unfurling foliage looks like tassels
    • Dark green fronds
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    1 option available

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  • Common Polypodium Fern | Polypodium vulgare Perennial Bedding
    £8
    £8

    Native Evergreen Fern | Polypodium vulgare

    UK native fern that stays fresh all year round

    • Lush green fronds dotted with distinctive spores
    • Perfect for shady borders and woodland gardens
    • A fully hardy, drought tolerant evergreen
    • Pest and disease proof

    1 option available

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  • 3 Autumn Ferns | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    £23
    £23

    Pondside Fern Pack

    Collection of dark green ferns

    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Arching triangular foliage
    • Coppery tint in spring
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    1 option available

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  • Patio Viburnum Tinus Tree | Laurustinus Ornamental Trees
    £30
    £40 £30

    Patio Viburnum Tinus Tree | Laurustinus

    Evergreen wildlife magnet

    • Upright patio tree with a bushy habit
    • Small tree - grows up to 1.5m (when pruned)
    • Glossy leaves, white flowers, blue berries
    • RHS Plants for Pollinators

    1 option available

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  • Polystichum rigens Perennial Plants
    From £8
    From £8

    Rigid Shield Fern | Polystichum rigens

    Architectural form, rugged beauty

    • Adds interest to shady borders, ponds or woodland gardens
    • Rigid, leathery foliage with overlapping leaflets
    • Bold, dark green fronds
    • Tolerant of drier conditions

    2 options available

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  • Anemone 'Elfin Swan' Perennial Bedding
    From £15
    £18 From £15

    Anemone 'Elfin Swan'

    Delicate swan-white anemones

    • Swan-white cup shaped flowers with a lilac flush
    • Flowers all summer from May to September
    • Ideal for front borders and underplanting
    • RHS Plants for Pollinators

    2 options available

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Hereford

Meet Jack

Perennials born in Herefordshire, blooming in your garden

Our perennials start life in the rolling Herefordshire hills, where Jack and his team trial over 250 new varieties each year to bring you the best performing and most sustainable plants in the UK. With over forty years of excellence, it’s no surprise that they’ve won the HTA Plant Grower of the Year award two years running.

Need help picking?

Flowering Plants for Shade

Flowering Plants for Shade

To add colour to a shady border, you can’t beat these shade-loving flowers. Classic Foxgloves are a must, and to complete the cottage garden look just add Campanula and https://www.rootsplants.co.uk/products/6-aquilegia-spring-magic-collection-10-5cm-pot. Bleeding Heart adds a touch of drama and works equally well in containers or beds.

Climbing Plants for Shade

Climbing Plants for Shade

There is a huge choice of climbing plants for shady gardens. Of course Ivy is the classic backdrop to a shady border, but other shade loving climbers include the gorgeous scented Star Jasmine, Viticella Clematis and delicate Honeysuckle.

Container Plants for Shade

Container Plants for Shade

Bring colour and texture to neglected corners of the garden with these shade-loving container plants. Hostas and Heucheras fill a large space with vibrant foliage and also flower in Summer. Salvias are having a moment right now and for good reason - they look fabulous in patio pots. Can’t decide? Start with our specially selected 9 Perfect Plants for Shade collection, which includes Hostas, Heucheras, Foxgloves and more.

Happy plants make happy customers

Trustpilot
Ornamental Colour Collection Pond Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.

Monica Spence

| 24 May
Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides Climbing Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!

Jacqueline Burgess

| 2 Jun
five star rating on Trustpilot

I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.

Judy Lane

| 23 Oct
E 'Black Hamburgh' Indoor Grape Vine Soft Fruit
five star rating on Trustpilot

The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.

Martyn Hill

| 5 Jul
E 'Braeburn Hillwell' Apple Tree Fruit Trees
five star rating on Trustpilot

As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.

John-Paul

| 22 May
five star rating on Trustpilot

Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.

Gavin Wilcock

| 8 Nov

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