Garden

Container Plants That Tolerate Dry Shade

Container plants that will do very well in dry shade with just the occasional watering.

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Credit: Stuart McCall

Add a burst of colour to a shady spot with this container idea

1. Luzula nivea (common name: snowy wood rush; 30 to 45 cm/12 to 18 in.; cream with evergreen foliage; April to June; zone 4) 2. Helleborus argutifolius (Corsican hellebore; 50 to 60 cm/20 to 24 in.; pale-green blooms and evergreen foliage; February to April; zone 6) 3. Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ (variegated Japanese sedge; 20 to 25 cm/8 to 10 in.; gold and green evergreen foliage; zone 5) 4. Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’ (bishop’s hat or barrenwort; 25 to 30 cm/10 to 12 in.; yellow with bronzed evergreen foliage; April to May; zone 4) 5. Geranium macrorrhizum (bigroot geranium, scented cranesbill; 25 to 30 cm/10 to 12 in.; bright-pink with cream-edged foliage; June to July; zone 2)

Dry Shade Container Plants Container Plants that Tolerate Dry Shade

These plants all tolerate dry shade but will require occasional watering. Varying foliage colour and texture provide interest and the geranium (not seen in the photo) adds a spot of purple in early summer and often again in early fall. Four out of five of these plants are evergreen, providing a very long season of interest. (Only a bud is poking up at the top centre behind #2, but it’s needed for colour.) Care: This container will last two to three years and can be left in place year round. Cut back faded foliage in fall and water only when dry throughout the winter. In April top-dress with a controlled-release fertilizer; water regularly as needed. Related stories: