Ideas for Stylish Shady Container Gardens - FineGardening (2024)

Of course, I quickly ran out of space in my small garden, so I began to fill an ever-increasing number of containers. People often assume that the plant options for shade containers are limited and less exciting than those for sun, but I found that to be far from the truth. Throughout my journey, I discovered that shade is not an affliction that hinders personal style. By understanding how to combine color, texture, and form, I create container gardens that thrive even in the shadiest of areas. Through many years of experimentation, I came to realize that shady containers, much like their sunny counterparts, can be any style you want—be it informal or formal.

For formal containers (which can include contemporary and traditional designs), success depends upon a careful marriage of pot and plants. This sophisticated style calls for restraint in color, embellishment, and plants. The vessel itself has a strong presence and is as important as the contents. The best combinations focus on foliage and texture because blossoms are often fleeting.

A tall, metal container sets the tone for this contemporary planting. Pairing the strong vertical lines of the strap-leaved ‘Black Magic’ ti tree against the glistening silver strings of dichondra foliage creates a contrast that is simple yet striking. The silver-and-black color scheme is taken from the metallic sheen of the decorative container.

1. ‘Black Magic’ ti tree (Cordyline fruticosa ‘Black Magic’, USDA Hardiness Zone 11)
2. ‘Silver Falls’ dichondra (Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’, Zones 10–11)

A dwarf Japanese maple tree is a perfectly hued focal point for this unassuming, rustic pot. To feel natural, the plants in woodland designs should mimic a forest environment. The understory in this pot is a mixture of herbaceous and evergreen perennials well suited for dappled light. The delicate texture of the grasses and fern contrast with the bolder leaves of the hosta and foam flower. Soft yellow tones appear throughout to add some bright light, while the deep red of the Japanese blood grass is echoed in the veining on the foam flower leaf.

1. Rough bark maple (Acer palmatum ‘Arakawa’, Zones 5–9)
2. ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5–9)
3. Perennial impatiens (Impatiens omeiana, Zones 6–9)
4. Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica* ‘Red Baron’, Zones 5–9)
5. ‘Crow Feather’ foam flower (Tiarella ‘Crow Feather’, Zones 4–9)
6. ‘Regal Splendor’ hosta (Hosta ‘Regal Splendor’, Zones 3–9)
7. Himalayan maidenhair fern (Adiantum venustum, Zones 5–9)

*See invasive alert below.

Sitting next to my front door, this container needs to be tall enough to be easily viewed but small enough to avoid obstructing the entrance. The elliptical shape of the unglazed, rustic brown container allows for lots of plants without taking up too much room. The palm-shaped, metallic foliage of the ‘Benito­chiba’ begonia is the inspiration for the pink-and-burgundy color scheme. Purple notes are offered by the iridescent leaves of the Persian shield and repeated by the lilac bacopa and ‘Purple Queen’ purple heart. Pairing the contrasting textures of the spiky holly leaves with the finely textured Mexican feather grass completes the welcoming composition.

1. ‘Benitochiba’ begonia (Begonia ‘Benitochiba’, Zones 10–11)
2. Gold Coast^® English holly (Ilex aquifolium ‘Monvila’, Zones 7–9)
3. Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus, Zones 9–11)
4. ‘Purple Queen’ purple heart (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purple Queen’, Zones 8–11)
5. ‘Fortune Pink’ tuberous begonia (Begonia ‘Fortune Pink’, Zones 11)
6. Golden trailing spikemoss (Selaginella kraussiana ‘Aurea’, Zones 6–10)
7. Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima, Zones 7–11)
8. Blue Showers™ bacopa (Sutera cordata ‘Bacoble’, annual)

This shady courtyard calls for an elegant planting that enhances the copper tones in the cubic containers and the fabric on the chairs. The ‘Black Magic’ elephant’s ear has dramatic black leaves that pop when paired with a copper hue. The copper color of the oxalis leaves is picked up by the rosy blush of the chameleon plant. Black mondo grass offers a textural contrast to the chameleon plant and carries the color of the ele­phant’s ear to the second container.

1. ‘Black Magic’ elephant’s ear (Colocasia esculenta* ‘Black Magic’, Zones 8–11)
2. Molten Lava™ oxalis (Oxalis vulcanicola Molten Lava™, Zones 9–11)
3. Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’, Zones 5–11)
4. Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, Zones 6–11)

*See invasive alert below.

Planted to delight my clients’ young daughter, this combination provides bright colors and lots of fun. The centerpiece is a porcupine grass, aptly named for its quill-like blades with horizontal yellow stripes. Although the grass prefers more direct light, it does well in this location, which receives four hours of morning sun. Toward the front of the container is a fuchsia with tubular blooms, which attracted hummingbirds even as I was planting it. Kids of all ages delight at the whiskered face of a mouse suggested by the tiny purple and red flowers of the bat-faced cuphea. Yellows, reds, oranges, and purples add unexpected zest and eye-catching appeal to a container that doesn’t feel one bit like a typical shady pot.

1. Porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis* ‘Strictus’, Zones 4–9)
2. ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’ fuchsia (Fuchsia ‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt’, Zones 9–10)
3. Stained Glassworks™ Big Blonde coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides Stained Glassworks™ Big Blonde, Zone 11)
4. Sunbini sanvitalia (Sanvitalia ‘Starbini’, Zones 9–11)
5. ‘Fortune Yellow Shades’ tuberous begonia (Begonia ‘Fortune Yellow Shades’, Zones 11)
6. ‘Tiny Mice’ bat-faced cuphea (Cuphea llavea ‘Tiny Mice’, Zones 10–11)
7. Trailing vinca (Vinca major* ‘Maculata’, Zones 7–9)
8. Variegated Swedish ivy (Plectranthus forsteri ‘Marginatus’, Zones 11)

*See invasive alert below.

The success of this dramatic combination relies on simple color repetition and textural variety among the feathery yew, the bold coleus, and the fine Japanese forest grass. Gold provides a color theme, showing up in the needles of the yew, the blades of the grass, and the leaf margins of the coleus. In keeping with the clean, simple lines of the modern pots, this grouping relies on a limited number of plants. Adding additional plants would take away from the beauty and sophistication of the vessels.

1. Dwarf golden yew (Taxus cuspidata ‘Dwarf Bright Gold’, Zones 5–7)
2. ‘El Brighto’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘El Brighto’, Zones 11)
3. ‘All Gold’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Zones 5–9)