Shade-loving natives

There are thousands of Australian native plants that grow naturally in dappled light, or in gullies where it’s moist and dark, or near cliffs or boulders where it’s full-sun or full-shade for part of the day. Many of these plants are now widely available through native nurseries and larger retailers.

Moist shade

When dealing with shady, moist areas, it’s best to plant in spring or autumn (and sometimes even summer). If your soil is prone to holding water, choose bog or margin plants such as rushes, sedges and a surprisingly large number of pretties, including purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), swamp mazus (Mazus pumilio) and alpine baeckea (Baeckea gunniana). If your soil is well-drained but moist, you’ll have even more options.

Here’s another plant for moist shade that’s suited to subtropical, warm temperate or cool temperate climates:

Chorilaena (Chorilaena quercifolia)

Both the unusual leaves and stems of this plant are hairy, and the pendulous, nectar-rich flowers are usually green, but pink-and-white forms are also available. Adaptable to dry, moist, shady, sunny and coastal environments, as well as being amenable to hard pruning, and less likely to be grazed by animals, this lesser-used plant deserves more consideration. It grows 1–4m high and 1–3m wide.

Dry shade

Planting in dry shade is best done at the start of autumn, particularly in heavy or compacted soil. Holes for tubestock should be at least 20cm wide, and holes for plants in 14cm pots at least 30cm wide. Break soil to a fine tilth. Fill holes with water (add seaweed solution) and drain before planting. Water plants in, then apply compost, granular wetting agent and mulch. Add a few branches and/or rocks to keep soil moisture and temperature stable and encourage critters that keep soil (and plants) healthy.

Here’s a plant for dry shade that suits arid, cold temperate or warm temperate climates:

Swan River pea (Gastrolobium celsianum)

Nectar-loving birds appreciate the red, claw-shaped flowers that smother this low, dense shrub. I’ve seen it growing along the shady driveway of a bush home where its silvery tones show the way at night. Swan River pea tolerates moderate frosts and can be clipped into a relatively neat hedge, or left to sprawl over large embankments or alongside steps. It grows up to 1.5m high and 1.5–3m wide.