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Grafted plant and trees shade gardens

#1 · 27th February 2023, 8:11 am

Hi everyone, I have a small forecourt at the front of my house which doesn’t get any direct sunlight. Would I be able to plant a grafted tree/plant in a container due to the lack of sunlight? Any suggestions on plants etc would be massively appreciated as I have no gardening experience whatsoever. Fiona.

HelenPD has reacted to this post.

#2 · 27th February 2023, 3:07 pm

Hi @fifi2015

Great news that you're going to be planting a tree in your front garden! God knows our urban streets could do with more trees to help cool down our cities, provide wildlife shelter and help with flood risks.

The good news is there are plenty of shade-loving trees which will cope with that position. Most gardens are never entirely shaded meaning that plenty of trees and shrubs that cope with lower light levels can survive. The only niggle is that in deep shade trees will grow more slowly and may not fruit as prolifically or at all. That's the disclaimer over with!

Ok here's a few suggestions to get you started.

Trees for shade:

Crataegus plena - a Hawthorn which copes with low light levels. It will get up to 8m in full sun if left unchecked but in part shade and with pruning can be kept manageable. It has beautiful white blossoms in spring and then fruits in Autumn. Great for the birds. I'd advise getting a grafted standard version for a front garden to control its size.

Amellanchier lamarckii - this shrub/tree is a groegous specimen for any small garden. Beautiful spring blossom, bright fruits, wonderful leaves that change colour and slow growing. Can't fault it!

Pinus nigra 'Nana' -an evergreen super slow growing tree that can be bought as a standard ie canopy on a long stem. Wonderful for zero maintenance.

Apple and Fruit trees: Apples and fruit trees make excellent part shade small garden trees. As you can pick the root stock read on more here about how fruit trees can save our bees and make excellent small garden trees.