Enjoying a north facing garden

Shady Work: 10 Ways to Make the Most of a North Facing Garden

by Colne Life magazine

Use shade-loving plants like hydrangeas

Discover 10 practical tips to transform your north-facing garden into a lush, inviting space. Learn how to choose the right plants, maximise sunlight, and create a thriving outdoor retreat.

10 Tips to Make the Most of a North-Facing Garden

1. Use shade-loving plants: Hydrangeas, ferns, climbing roses, and bluebells thrive in north-facing gardens. These plants flourish in partially or fully shaded areas, avoiding plant scorching from direct sunlight.

2. Play with colour and shades: Brighten dark areas with vivid outdoor rugs, cushions, furniture, plant pots, and feature walls. Choose bright patios or pavers to lighten up your space.

Brighten up a north facing garden

3. Plant strategically: Layer planting with taller plants at the back to draw in more light. Experiment with vertical gardens, raised beds, or hanging planters to bring plants closer to the light.

4. Embellish pergolas with climbing plants: Pergolas provide consistent shade and a comforting space. Dress them up with climbing plants like roses or star-jasmine, which brighten your garden and smell amazing.

People enjoying a fire pit in north facing garden

5. Embrace cosiness with a fire pit or heater: Install a fireplace, fire pit, or outdoor heater to extend evenings spent relaxing or eating alfresco, even when nights get chilly.

6. Fake the light with mirrors, ponds, and bird baths: Use reflective features to bounce light into other areas. Mirrors or water features can open up and illuminate the space.

7. Brighten up your garden with outdoor lighting: Enhance the atmosphere with fairy lights, candles, or ground lights. Solar-powered options keep bills down while lifting your mood.

Outdoor lightening in north facing garden

8. Place seating in the sun: Determine the sunniest spots and place your seating there. Furniture that can be easily moved into sunny spots or shifted into shade is ideal.

9. Ditch the grass: In small, north-facing gardens, grass can become boggy. Opt for gravel, stones, pavers, or decking instead. Dress it up with plants like lavender that thrive in rocky areas.

10. Embrace the shade for children’s play areas: Shaded areas are perfect for children’s play areas, reducing UV exposure and overheating risks: place slides, swings, or playhouses in the shade.

PROS AND CONS OF A NORTH-FACING GARDEN

Pros

  •  Temperature regulation and UV control
  • Great options for shade-loving plants – less risk of plant scorching
  • Ideal for mossy and woodland-style designs
  • Great for early risers who can embrace the soft morning light
  • Less plant watering

Cons

  •  Limited sunlight and warmth
  • North-facing gardens risk property value loss of up to £5,000, according to property experts
  • Slower to dry after rainfall
  • Grass may struggle to thrive

ColneLife June/July/Aug 25