Bright Landscaping Ideas: How to Add More Light to Shady Gardens
Updated: Sep. 28, 2018
Small gardens, especially in towns, are often hemmed in by buildings and tall boundaries that can prevent light reaching the ground, especially in winter when the sun is low. If you’re looking for a bright idea to lighten up your landscape, choosing plants and other features that will bring in some light can make all the difference.
Paint Walls White to Bounce in Light
Introducing pale colours is a quick and easy way to dispel the gloom in a shady garden.
Give rendered walls a facelift with a fresh coat of whitewash to reflect more light, and paint house doors and window frames too if they need it.
Timber structures such as pergolas, gates and arches can also be transformed very quickly using easy-to-apply garden paints for unplaned wood. Here, too, white or cream will add a lightening touch.
Introduce Warmth with Hard Landscaping
When choosing surfacing materials, avoid drab grey or khaki pavers or slate chippings, which can look quite depressing, especially when wet. Instead, go for a warm, pale honey-coloured stone effect for paved areas.
Add Bright Highlights with Plants
Avoid creating a mass of drab, dark foliage in a small, shady garden. Plants with white variegation in their leaves work well if used in moderation among other plants. White flowers also show up beautifully, and a white-themed planting can look cool and sophisticated in low light. Pots of white lilies ( Lilium regale are the purest white) will add intoxicating fragrance, too. Golden foliage creates the welcome illusion of sunshine on a dull day – but avoid siting golden-leaved plants in very deep shade, because they will turn green if there isn’t enough light.
