Salvias or similar shrubs for full shade?

mathewdavidbrown

Hi all.

Are there any small salvia varieties which grow well in shade? Or any similar flowering shrubs or herbs?

This area at the foot of my garden receives no direct sunlight, save for an hour or two in June. My hostas will probably do well here, but they don't tie in with the main border theme, which is small-leaved shrubs and herbs, comprising mostly salvias and tall lobelias. The geraniums are coming out.

It's a relatively bright shaded area, just looks dark when contrasted against the sunny half of the garden. I've had a Salvia 'royal bumble' do amazingly well in this spot, but it's too big for my current plan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Fairygirl

Loads of shrubs/plants suitable for shade, but salvias aren't really one of them 
I was going to ask why you were taking geraniums out , but I see they're pelargoniums.
Hardy geraniums will grow in the shady areas. 
Is it just lower growing planting you want? 
Pachysandra will grow perfectly well there, native primulas [lots of other primulas too] the Prostrate Gaultheria, Heucheras [and their relatives - Tiarellas and Heucherellas] Polemonium [Jacob's Ladder], Campanulas etc.

CharlotteF

Shade-lovers tend to have fairly big leaves to catch as much light as poss. The only salvia I could think of, that does ok in semi shade in my garden, is amistad, but small leaved it ain't. There will be plenty of others as it's a very diverse genus with lots of different habitats, but the small leaved ones come from brighter hotter climes.

I have a lovely Phillyrea angustifolia which is supposed to tolerate a certain amount of shade, and mine isn't in full sun. It's incredibly healthy and has lovely foliage, though its not the easiest to come by. 

CharlotteF

Our could your small leaved herby theme go at the sunny end of the garden keeping your hostas in this spot? Right plant right place and all that. 

Fairygirl

Most herbs prefer a sunny site, but chives are fine in shade, and don't mind damper conditions either. 

mathewdavidbrown

Fairygirl said:

Loads of shrubs/plants suitable for shade, but salvias aren't really one of them 
I was going to ask why you were taking geraniums out , but I see they're pelargoniums.
Hardy geraniums will grow in the shady areas. 
Is it just lower growing planting you want? 
Pachysandra will grow perfectly well there, native primulas [lots of other primulas too] the Prostrate Gaultheria, Heucheras [and their relatives - Tiarellas and Heucherellas] Polemonium [Jacob's Ladder], Campanulas etc.

Ooh, some nice recommendations.

I Googled Tiarellas and found Heuchera 'Paris'. While I'm not keen on regular Heuchera these might be just the trick!

Those geraniums are lovely but don't fit into my plan.

Fairygirl

Take a look at this nursery - they specialise [clue's in the title  ]

https://www.plantsforshade.co.uk/

There are hundreds of Heuchera varieties too. 
Lots of other nurseries have a huge range of plants for shade, so just have a browse.
Ballyrobert, Clare Austin, Hardy's etc. All very experienced, and reliable. 

floralies

There are a few Salvias which will grow in partially shady spots ....
Salvia Nipponica, Salvia Nubicola, Salvia Glabrescens might suit? I have not grown them myself as my Salvias need different conditions down here ie hot and sunny! 

edhelka

Small-leaved Azalea if you have the soil for it.

Loxley

Lamium orvala looks similar to sage in some ways and is shade tolerant. Teucrium scorodonia (wood sage) takes bright shade. 

Fairygirl

For smaller leaved shrubs, Pittosporum - some are quite small leaved. You'd need to check hardiness and that will depend on your climate, but I'd expect Cambridgeshire would be ok for most.
Although Hebes like sunny sites, many are quite happy in some shade, although flowering will be less. Some are grown mainly for the foliage anyway, and there are plenty which have small leaves.