If you have a garden that receives a lot of shade, there are a few plants you should include in your planter boxes. Here are some ideas for plants to grow in a planter box: Hellebores, Fuchsia, Clivia, and Yarrow. They are a beautiful choice for any shaded area, and they are very hardy. Read on to discover some other ideas for planting in a planter box.
Hellebores
Because of their large root system, hellebores require a large pot for proper cultivation. They are great companions for other shade-loving plants, but they do require regular mulching and dappled shade. As they will bloom at the same time, you may need to relocate them to a prime location. To avoid this, use a mix of gravel and gritty soil-based compost.
When selecting hellebores for your planter box, keep in mind that you can’t go wrong with their flowers. White and yellow hellebores are the most common, but you can find bi-coloured varieties that make for a spectacular display. For a more subtle display, try planting a green Helleborus. It will blend in with other bright colours and unite them in a striking display. Plant Hellebores from autumn to spring, as they won’t tolerate the dry summer months. If your soil is clay-based, dig deep into the box. If your soil is light and sandy, mix garden compost in to the soil to improve water-retentive conditions.
Because hellebores are deep-rooted, they do best in a deep-dug soil with adequate moisture. A thick layer of mulch on top of the soil is also helpful, though you should be careful not to bury the crown of the plant. This will discourage the plant from growing well and may also damage its delicate roots. If you’re worried about watering hellebores, don’t worry! The soil in your planter box will be fine as long as you keep the soil moist.
For an effective shade-tolerant perennial plant, Hellebores are perfect. They have long-lasting blooms and are very hardy. Even if you live in an area with cold winters, they are still hardy and deer-proof. They also tolerate soil that is slightly alkaline. In addition to being drought-tolerant, these plants are also deer-proof.
If your planter box is in a partially-shaded area, violas and pansies will do well. Their heart-shaped foliage provides color in the shadows. These plants can be easily grown and cared for and don’t require a lot of attention. In addition to violas, you can also try growing caladiums and violas in multiple containers.
Another perennial choice for a shade garden is tricyrtis. The ‘Empress’ variety has larger blooms with irregular deep purple spotting. It grows up to 30″ high and is a beautiful addition to a formal garden. It is also drought-resistant and requires only occasional pruning to maintain its beauty. For added texture, Hellebores look great alongside Astilbe.
Fuchsia
In the shade, fuchsia is the perfect choice. While this vibrant summer flower doesn’t need a lot of sun to bloom, it does need partial shade and is tolerant of dry, sandy soil. Fuchsia ‘Genii’, with its upright stems and soft gold foliage, features large, pendent flowers. Its blooms are also edible. Other fuchsias are not as hardy but are still a good choice for planter boxes in shade.
To get the most out of fuchsia, make sure you have a well-draining soil and consistent moisture. In addition to good drainage, fuchsia prefers a moist environment, so amend your soil with peat moss or compost to promote better growth. If you’re growing your plants in containers, plant them in peat-based potting mix. The container mix should have adequate drainage and be moist but not too wet.
As for maintenance, fuchsias do well in partial shade. Because their blooms are so long-lived, fuchsias need regular feeding. Regular feeding with a soluble fertiliser should keep them happy, and deadheading regularly will extend their flowering season. And fuchsias require regular fertilization, so they may need a humidifier if your climate is too dry.
Fuchsia varieties add unexpected color to window boxes. These shade-loving outdoor orchids come in standard and miniature sizes. They also make a tall companion, adding interest even after their flower stalks have finished blooming. If you’re planning to plant a window box in a shady location, try to consider fuchsia varieties.
Coral bells are another shade-loving plant that thrives in damp areas. They are known for their huge, frilly leaves, and colorful flowers. Fuchsias are perfect for planter boxes in shady areas because they grow up to three-plants-in-one container. Because they are delicate and fussy, they are best suited for planter boxes in shade.
Despite its low water needs, it is one of the best plants for planter boxes in shade. Its deep purple foliage makes it an excellent choice for planter boxes in light and moderate-to-dark shade. And if your planter box is in a shady area, you should consider using the ‘Creeping Jenny’ plant. Its leaves will lose their yellow color and be replaced by lime-green vines. This plant is also deer-resistant, as deer prefer food elsewhere.
Another popular plant for planter boxes in shade is corydalis. This shade-loving plant blooms in spring and has low water needs. It needs moist soil to bloom, but will tolerate partial shade. Asparagus fern, black bamboo, and asparagus fern will add height to the box while giving it an elegant look. For added height and structure, add sweet potato vines ‘Mardi Gras’ or ‘Margarita’.
Clivia
When it comes to thriving in shade, Clivia is a wise choice. The plants can thrive in moist soil, bright indirect light and deep shade. Their fleshy roots store water, and they’re drought-tolerant. Because of this, they can survive in a wide range of conditions, including pots. While clivia can easily be transplanted from pot to pot, some growers prefer to leave the micropore exposed in the growing medium. Once a plant germinates, it can be repotted anytime.
In addition to being tolerant of dry shade, Clivia also grows well outdoors in parts of Florida and California. In cold climates, they’re not recommended, but they can be grown outdoors. It’s best grown in the shade, beneath a tall tree. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves of this plant. Clivias are also hardy and tolerant of root competition.
Because Clivias have decorative seed heads after flowering, they’re great cut flowers. During the colder months, these plants develop seed heads that are used to make new plants. They can be divided at any time, but spring is the best time to do so. Keep in mind that Clivias don’t reproduce true to type, and it may take up to five years before your plant is fully bloomed. In the meantime, it can flower in a vase for several weeks.
As long as the soil is moist, Clivia’s multicolored blooms add a splash of color to your planter box. While they can be expensive to purchase, they require very little maintenance and don’t need much water. Clivia is a popular choice for plants in shade planter boxes. It can grow to nearly one foot in height. If the soil is moist and dappled, a clump of clivia’s leaves will produce a dense, rounded appearance.
Many nurseries and specialist growers sell clivias as plants, which can cost anywhere from $20 to several hundred dollars. Their price varies according to variety and pot size. Newly-coloured clivias may cost $300 or more. Most clivias are sold by colour, but it’s best to buy a plant when it’s in flower to ensure that it will bloom in the color you’ve selected.