If you’ve got a north-facing garden, or just a lot of shadowy corners in your space, fear not: there are plenty of spring bulbs that thrive in shade.
You’ll find many of them in woodlands, beneath the dappled shade of trees, after all – and once you know when to plant spring bulbs for spring, and become familiar with the various types of garden shade, you’ll find there are plenty of blooms to choose from.
Whether you’re looking to grow delicate snowdrops or vibrant crocuses, these are the best spring bulbs for shade.
1. Snowdrops
You might associate them with winter, but learning how to plant snowdrop bulbs is a surefire way to add some much-needed colour to your garden come early spring. If you’re wondering where to plant snowdrops, shadier parts of the garden make the cut.
‘These dainty white flowers are among the first to bloom in late winter or early spring, often making their debut before many trees and shrubs have even fully leafed out,’ promises Charles Carr, head of nurseries at Hillier Garden Centres.
‘This early appearance allows them to soak up the precious light available during those still-dark months. Snowdrops, with their roots in natural woodlands, are perfectly at home in low-light conditions. They thrive in shady spots under trees or in areas where other plants might struggle due to a lack of sunlight.’
You can buy a pack of 25 snowdrop bulbs for £7.99 at J. Parker’s.
2. English bluebells
If you have a darker garden than most, you’ll want to learn how to plant bluebells as they’re easily some of the best spring bulbs for shade to plant now.
‘English bluebells can bring a woodland vibe to a garden and can be planted in shady and dappled area, just like where you would find them in a forest,’ says Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
Charles agrees, adding that ‘bluebells are unbeatable’.
‘Their nodding blue flowers create a magical carpet under trees and shrubs,’ he says. ‘Bluebells like a bit of shade and a well-drained soil, so plant them in September for a breathtaking display come spring. They’ll slowly spread and create a dreamy, blue-hued haven.’
You can buy English bluebell bulbs from £8.97 at Thompson & Morgan.
3. Lily-of-the-valley
Lily-of-the-valley is a stunning addition to a spring garden, and while it’s not technically grown from bulbs (but pips, instead), it’s considered one of the best bulbs to grow for scented blooms. According to David Fryer, head of technical at Mr Fothergill’s, the delicate flowers thrive in shadier areas of the garden.
‘Woodland flowers such as lily of the valley love dappled shade,’ he says. ‘To create your own, plant deciduous trees on the south or west side of your garden, or use smaller trees to develop localised canopies, then adjust the light with pruning.’
Get started with this Lily of the Valley Collection, £15.49 at Thompson & Morgan.
4. Narcissus
The undisputed bloom of the season, you’d best believe that narcissus (aka daffodil bulbs) are counted among the best spring bulbs for shade to plant now.
‘Narcissus are ideal for partially shaded areas of your garden,’ says Charles, noting that ‘their bright, cheerful blooms can still shine beautifully even with a bit of shade, adding a splash of colour where sunlight is limited’.
‘Look for early bloomers like ‘Tête-à-Tête’ for a touch of spring cheer that will brighten even the shadiest corners of your garden,’ he adds.
You can buy Narcissus ‘Tête-à-tête’ at Crocus from £4.39 for 10 bulbs.
5. Crocuses
An oldie but a goodie, crocuses are absolutely one of the nest spring bulbs for shade to plant now!
‘Crocuses are a versatile option that can brighten up shady areas with their vibrant hues. While they typically prefer more sun, many varieties can tolerate light shade, especially if they get a bit of morning sun,’ says Charles.
‘Choose from classics like ‘Jeanne d’Arc’ for pristine white blooms or ‘Blue Marlin’ for a touch of purple. Their cheerful flowers will add a splash of colour.’
Morris agrees, noting that, ‘if you have a shady area under a tree, crocus bulbs can save the day’.
‘Plant them in groups during autumn and the flowers will bring some lovely spring colour next year,’ he adds.
Crocuses are also among the easiest spring bulbs to grow in pots for beautiful spring arrangements.
Give the Crocus ‘Bicolour Collection’ from Thompson & Morgan a go for pastel blooms.
6 & 7: Grape hyacinths and glory-of-the-snow
With their sweet blue blooms and delicate appearance, grape hyacinths and glory-of-the-snow are counted among the best spring bulbs for shade to plant now, particularly in container gardens.
‘Planting muscari (grape hyacinths) and chionodoxa (glory-of-the-snow) in containers placed in a shady or dappled shade area in the garden will provide a stunning spring display full of blue and white colour,’ says Morris.
We rate the Scilla luciliae (Boiss.) Speta and the marvellous muscari grape hyacinth collection from Crocus.
Now that you know the best spring bulbs for shade, all you have to do is figure out which ones you’ll be gracing your own garden with this year. Here’s to a shady springtime paradise…
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