Show Notes
Got a sloping patch of shade that’s more problem than planting space? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, Marcus explores one of the trickiest garden challenges: shady slopes. Whether you’re battling dry soil under trees, a bank where water runs off too quickly, or a slope that’s just sat bare for years—this episode will give you practical advice and a fresh perspective.
We’ll cover what makes shady slopes difficult, what to look for in the right kind of plant, and reliable choices that really do the job—plus planting techniques that help them settle in and stay put. It’s not about planting more; it’s about planting wisely.
If you’ve been avoiding that awkward corner of your garden, this episode might be just the nudge you need to turn it into something beautiful.
More from The Shade Gardening Podcast
Why can one gardener grow magnificent heucheras, hostas or brunneras while another repeatedly watches the same plants struggle and disappear?
There comes a point in late summer when some shade gardens seem to lose their way. The spring bulbs have disappeared, the hellebores finished months ago, the foxgloves are fading and even the hostas and ferns may be looking tired. Autumn hasn’t quite arrived either, leaving the garden caught somewhere between two seasons.
This extraordinary summer has left many established shade gardens looking almost unrecognisable. Hellebores have collapsed, astilbes have disappeared, hostas have fried around the edges, and even dependable ferns and hydrangeas have struggled.
Have you ever planted something that you later wished you hadn't?
Dry shade is often described as one of the toughest places to garden. Beneath mature trees, alongside hedges, or in those forgotten corners where sunlight is limited and the soil always seems dry, many gardeners simply give up.