Create a colourful, low-light-friendly display for patios and shady corners
Not all plants love basking in the sun—some of the most beautiful thrive in the cool, dappled light of a shady spot. If you’ve got a dull corner of the garden or a shady patio that needs brightening up, this container planting idea is perfect.
Using a mix of foliage textures and colours, this shade-loving container includes:
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2 x Heuchera (for bold, evergreen colour)
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1 x Astilbe (for feathery summer flowers)
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1 x Dicentra (for romantic, arching blooms)
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1 x Coleus (for striking variegated foliage)
Here’s how to put it together:
Choosing the Right Container
Select a container around 35–45cm wide, with good drainage holes. A terracotta or decorative resin pot works well and adds weight to keep things stable in windy spots.
Fill it with a mix of multi-purpose compost and loam, with added slow-release fertiliser to keep things growing well through the season.
🧑🌾 Step-by-Step Planting Guide
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Start with the Heucheras
Place them slightly off-centre, toward the front or sides, depending on the colour contrast. Their evergreen leaves provide structure year-round.
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Add the Astilbe
Tuck this toward the back or middle. It prefers moisture, so make sure the compost is rich and retains water.
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Pop in the Dicentra
Also known as bleeding heart, this plant adds height and movement. Plant it toward the middle or back where it can arch over the others.
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Finish with the Coleus
Position this where its dramatic foliage will stand out—perhaps near a Heuchera with contrasting tones.
Once planted, water in well and give the pot a shady but bright spot—out of direct sun, especially in the afternoon.
💧 Aftercare for Your Shade Container
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Keep compost consistently moist, especially in warmer weather. Astilbe and Dicentra don’t like drying out.
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Deadhead Astilbe after flowering to encourage more blooms.
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Pinch out Coleus tips to keep it bushy and compact.
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Feed monthly with a liquid feed if you haven’t used slow-release fertiliser.
This mix will give you months of interest, right through summer and even into autumn—especially with the Heuchera and Coleus keeping things colourful.
💡 Bonus Tip: Refresh it next spring!
After the season ends, the Heuchera can be left in place or reused in other containers. You might swap in fresh annuals next year, or divide and replant some of the perennials for even more shade-friendly beauty.
