Providing a cool shaded spot on a scorching afternoon, north-facing gardens are a respite from the summer heat and a chance to experiment with lush, shade-loving plants. Furthermore, in the face of climate change and rising temperatures, south-facing gardens, commonly prized for long daylight hours, are not commanding the premium they once did.
With full or partial shade, however, north-facing gardens do require some thought when it comes to choosing the right plants – and even more so if you are limited to container gardening. In my two decades of professional horticultural experience, I have had the chance to manage many shaded outdoor spaces and share my best container plant for north-facing gardens.
