Cool ground, quiet leaves and the possibilities beneath a tree.
Shade is often treated as the part of the garden that needs fixing. We see it as a different set of possibilities: cool leaves, soft ground and somewhere to sit when the rest of the garden is too bright.
There is more than one kind of shade.
Shade beneath a deciduous tree changes through the year. Shade beside a tall wall does not move in quite the same way. Before choosing plants, watch how the light reaches the ground in the morning and again in the afternoon.
A quieter palette can make a richer place.
Leaf size, texture and movement become more important here. Fine forest grass beside broad leaves can be as satisfying as a border full of flowers.
Start with the ground
Dry shade calls for a different approach from cool, moisture-retentive soil. Choose plants for the conditions that are really there, and leave tree roots as undisturbed as possible.