Shade container plants that thrive on neglect are some of the hardest-working plants in any yard. By combining moisture-retentive foliage plants, drought-tolerant woodland species and slow-growing evergreens, it is perfectly possible to create a shaded container that looks lush for months with remarkably little watering, deadheading or intervention. The trick is choosing plants adapted to woodland conditions, where roots compete naturally and rainfall can be surprisingly inconsistent.
I have always felt a certain sympathy for shaded corners. Sunny patios receive all the glory, while the dim edges beside porches and north-facing walls are often treated as horticultural afterthoughts. Yet shade has a richness and calmness all its own, particularly in summer when the rest of the yard begins to look faintly exhausted.
