Strappy-leafed plants for shady spots

Story by Judy Horton

Shady dry spots can be challenging, but with the right plants, those boring bare patches can be transformed into an eye-catching display.

Some of the most challenging positions in the garden are those spots under trees where understorey plants need to cope with ever-deepening shade and increasing root competition. Some trees even add to the indignity by dropping leaf litter all over the specimens below. With careful plant selection you can transform a problem spot into a shady nook that becomes a new garden feature. Here are some strappy-leafed plants to get you started…

Clivias (Clivia spp.)

These old favourites for mostly frost-free gardens have thick roots that are expert at extracting goodness from the soil, and new breeding has expanded their flower colour range. Watch for snails and caterpillars.

Mat rushes (Lomandra spp.)

Australian native mat rushes are loved for their hardiness. For underplanting, it’s best to choose smaller cultivars such as L. confertifolia ‘Little Pal’, which does well in shade, has attractive weeping foliage and only grows to about 50cm high.

Variegated liriope (Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’)

This clumping plant competes well with tree roots, and its variegated leaves add some light touches. The slow-spreading clumps can be easily split to produce more plants.

Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

Another clumper that loves shade, this plant’s neat, uniform look makes it an excellent grass substitute under trees. Mini mondo is even more turf-like, but it’s very slow growing.