{"title":"Plants for Dry Shade","description":"\u003cp\u003ePlants for dry shade solve the hardest spot in the garden. Dry soil under trees or beside a wall defeats most plants, but the ones here are tough enough to cope with both the shade and the drought.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"aspidistra-sichuanensis-kinboshi-variegated-cast-iron-plant","title":"Aspidistra sichuanensis 'Kinboshi'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAspidistra sichuanensis 'Kinboshi'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a strikingly speckled form of the famously tough \u003cstrong\u003ecast iron plant\u003c\/strong\u003e, its deep green, leathery leaves flecked and dusted with cream-gold, exactly as the name 'Kinboshi' (gold star) suggests. Where the plain cast iron plant is prized for sheer resilience, this selection adds real ornament, lighting up the darkest corners of the garden with constellations of pale spotting on bold, upright foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReliably evergreen and rated around RHS H5, 'Kinboshi' holds its architectural clump of leaves right through the British winter, shrugging off frost down to roughly -15C once established. It is one of the most dependable evergreens for year-round structure in shade, and because the interest is all in the foliage there is no fleeting flush to wait for. Curious maroon, bell-shaped flowers appear at soil level in spring, half-hidden at the base of the plant, a quiet novelty rather than a display.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep to partial shade, ideal for north and east-facing beds and shady \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003econtainers\u003c\/a\u003e where little else will thrive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any reasonable, well-drained soil; tolerant of chalk, clay, sand and loam across the pH range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a slow, clump-forming perennial reaching around 50-70 cm tall over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy in most of the UK, evergreen, and remarkably drought-tolerant once settled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first year or two so the rhizome establishes, after which 'Kinboshi' becomes impressively tolerant of dry shade, the toughest spot in most gardens. It is a natural choice for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshade planting\u003c\/a\u003e and the front of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, and pairs beautifully with ferns and other woodland groundcover such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/asarum-sp\"\u003eAsarum\u003c\/a\u003e. Grow it in a pot to brighten a gloomy courtyard, or weave it through a shady \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotic\u003c\/a\u003e scheme for evergreen texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with all our plants, please read our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide for seasonal notes. Every specimen is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy crown and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"12cm \/ 1L","offer_id":57165202162047,"sku":"PROPASPSICHKIN12","price":35.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/aspi.jpg?v=1774024000"},{"product_id":"hedera-helix-arborescens","title":"Hedera helix 'Arborescens'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHedera helix 'Arborescens'\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as \u003cstrong\u003etree ivy\u003c\/strong\u003e or shrubby ivy, is the grown-up, bushy face of our familiar English ivy. Unlike the climbing forms, this is the adult stage of the plant, so it does not climb or cling at all. Instead it builds itself into a rounded, self-supporting evergreen shrub of glossy, heart-shaped leaves, giving you all the toughness of ivy in a neat, free-standing dome that suits borders, low hedging and pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat makes \u003cstrong\u003eHedera arborescens\u003c\/strong\u003e such a quietly valuable garden plant is its late-season generosity. Rated RHS H5 and fully hardy across the UK, it holds its evergreen foliage through the hardest winters, then produces clusters of creamy-green flowers in autumn when almost nothing else is in bloom. These are a magnet for late bees, hoverflies and other pollinators, followed by blue-black berries that feed birds through winter, making it one of the most useful shrubs for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003epollinators and wildlife\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e happy in full sun, partial shade or even full shade, which makes it a brilliant problem-solver for dark, north-facing corners. A natural choice for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshady spots\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any reasonable soil, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. Best in fertile, free-draining ground, but far more forgiving than most shrubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e slow and compact, reaching roughly 1 m tall and wide over time, easily kept smaller with a spring trim.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy (RHS H5), evergreen and reliable with no winter protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause it never climbs, tree ivy is ideal where you want structure without a plant scrambling up walls or fences. Its dense, clippable habit earns it a place among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border plants\u003c\/a\u003e and the wider range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e, and its neat form makes it a natural for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e by a shady doorway. As with all outdoor plants, it is worth reading our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide so you know how a garden-hardy shrub behaves through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Hedera helix 'Arborescens' we supply is nursery-grown, hand-selected for a bushy, healthy shape and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive ready to plant out or pot up.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"17cm \/ 2L","offer_id":57907284214143,"sku":"HEDEHELIARB17","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/arborescens.jpg?v=1784357048"},{"product_id":"geranium-maderense","title":"Geranium maderense | Giant Herb-Robert","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eGeranium maderense\u003c\/strong\u003e, widely known as the \u003cstrong\u003egiant herb Robert\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eMadeira cranesbill\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most theatrical hardy exotics you can grow. From a short, stout trunk it builds a spectacular architectural rosette of huge, finely cut palmate leaves, then erupts into a vast dome of magenta-pink flowers that can smother the whole plant. Native to the island of Madeira, it is the giant of the geranium world and a true focal point for a warm, sheltered corner.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a statuesque, short-lived exotic best understood as a biennial or monocarpic perennial. It spends its first year or two building that bold evergreen rosette, flowers gloriously in late spring and early summer, then sets seed and fades, leaving a scatter of self-sown seedlings to carry on. Rated RHS H3, it is happiest in the mildest, most sheltered gardens and coastal spots, where it can be grown outdoors year round with winter protection in colder areas. Explore more of our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotic plants\u003c\/a\u003e to build a scheme around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade in a warm, sheltered spot, and it also copes with coastal exposure in mild areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any fertile, free-draining soil, from chalk to clay, loam or sand, across the full pH range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bold rosette reaching around 1 to 1.5 m tall and wide when in full flower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e RHS H3, so protect the crown over winter and give it your warmest position.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts architectural presence makes it a natural focal point in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e planting and lush \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, while its manageable size suits a large pot on a sheltered patio, so browse our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e. The nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for bees and other pollinators, earning it a place among our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e too. For a realistic picture of how tender exotics behave through the seasons, read \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics: what to expect\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Geranium maderense we supply is nursery grown and carefully selected for a strong, healthy rosette, then packed with care to arrive in superb condition and ready to become the star of your exotic planting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":57973064597887,"sku":"GERAMADE19","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-2284737468.jpg?v=1784327590"}],"url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/collections\/plants-for-dry-shade.oembed","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}