A north facing wall can present some unique challenges when it comes to planting, as this orientation tends to receive less direct sunlight. However, with the right plant selections, a north facing wall can be transformed into a lush, verdant backdrop.
When choosing plants for a north facing wall, the most important considerations are shade tolerance and hardiness. Look for plants that are rated for partial shade to full shade and can withstand cooler temperatures Evergreen shrubs and trees are a great option, as they provide year-round interest Let’s look at 10 of the best plants to grow along a north facing wall
1. Hostas
Hostas are one of the top choices for shade gardens, and they also do well along north facing walls. With their broad, lush leaves, hostas provide beautiful foliage and texture. There are many varieties to choose from in a range of sizes, leaf shapes, and colors. Go for medium sized varieties like ‘Francee’ or ‘Patriot’ for an attractive and manageable look.
2. Ferns
Delicate-looking yet hardy, ferns are another go-to option for shade. Varieties like Japanese painted fern, autumn fern, and maidenhair fern add airy, graceful textures next to a wall. Their fine, arching fronds contrast nicely against the solid surface. Tuck them in along the base of the wall or in pots.
3. Azaleas and Rhododendrons
These classic shrubs thrive in shady spots and deliver vibrant bursts of color in spring when they bloom. Plant them in beds near the wall base where they can blanket the area with blossoms in shades of pink, purple, red, white or yellow. Compact varieties like Azalea ‘Ward’s Ruby’ or Rhododendron ‘PJM’ work well.
4. Heucheras
Also known as coral bells, heucheras are grown primarily for their foliage. The leaves come in a diverse palette – solid green, chartreuse, purple, silver-green, ruffled and more. Shorter varieties like ‘Caramel’, ‘Obsidian’ and ‘Atlantis’ make excellent edging plants along a north wall. Their flowers are a bonus.
5. Astilbes
With their feathery plume-like blooms astilbes deliver texture and color to shady gardens. They bloom in summer in white, pink, red, or purple. Astilbe chinensis varieties are ideal for partial shade. Plant shorter types like A. ‘Visions’ or A. ‘Sprite’ close to the wall.
6. Epimediums
The delicately spurred flowers of epimediums are beautiful, but it’s their decorative foliage that makes them so useful along walls and pathways. Heart-shaped leaves in bronzy-red, green, and variegated patterns can light up dark corners. Epimedium × rubrum is a good choice for dry shade.
7. Japanese Forest Grass
For an alternative to ferns, try Hakonechloa macra, also known as Japanese forest grass. This graceful ornamental grass thrives in shade and sends up arching mounds of slender green blades with a bamboolike effect. ‘All Gold’ features golden foliage, while ‘Aureola’ has pretty yellow-striped leaves.
8. Lenten Rose
Hellebores bloom very early in spring, sometimes even poking up through the snow, which makes them a delightful surprise next to a north facing wall. Shades of white, pink, purple and burgundy provide a dose of color. Plant them near the wall’s base, where they can create a skirt of flowers.
9. Brunnera
Known as Siberian bugloss, brunnera is valued for its clusters of tiny blue flowers and large heart-shaped leaves. The leaves may be solid green or variegated with silver-green. Plant them around stepping stones or along the wall’s edge. ‘Jack Frost’ is one lovely variegated variety.
10. Sweet Box
For an evergreen shrub, sweet box (Sarcococca) is a good option. It fills in well to provide year-round interest near a north wall. Tiny fragrant white flowers bloom in winter. Sweet box prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Plant it 2-3 feet from the wall base and let it spread.
With the right plant choices, a north facing wall can be utterly transformed into a lush, verdant backdrop. Focus on shade-loving varieties with interesting foliage textures and forms. Add colorful accents with blooming perennials, shrubs or ornamental grasses. With a bit of creativity, your north wall can become a beautiful living space.
Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) (Image credit: FactoryTh / Getty Images)
- Hardiness: USDA 5-7
- Height: 50ft (15m)
- Spread: 26ft (8m)
- Best for: floral elegance
This wonderful climbing plant for shade has large white flattened lacey flowers on heart-shaped leaves. It may take a while to get established as a shade-loving flowering shrub, but once it does, it will cover a wall with tiny roots that sprout when the stems touch another surface. It won’t need wires or a trellis to cling to.
In the fall, the rough leaves turn a bright yellow, and in the winter, the dried flower seed heads make the plant look very interesting. This perennial plant does best in part shade. Give it a lot of room, or cut it back after it flowers to keep its size in check. It prefers moist, rich and well-drained soil types.
Try climbing hydrangea at Nature Hills available as a single plant or a three pack.
Clematis ‘Niobe’ (Image credit: Mindstyle / Getty Images)
- Hardiness: USDA 4-9
- Height: 6-8ft
- Spread: 1.5-2ft
- Best for: rich color
Make sure to add this plant to your list of things to plant if you want to give north-facing walls lots of bright color.
During the summer, big, velvety red flowers bloom on dark green leaves, making a mass of deep color. It’s not the only clematis which will tolerate a shady spot, but this one is an absolute beauty. The flowers measure six inches across.
Despite its exotic looks, it only requires a light trim in the late winter or early spring time. If you want a flower that will brighten up the room, “Nelly Moser” is a great choice. Its flowers are pretty and have stripes of candy pink and white. It even grows well in shade.
Top 8 Shade Plants That Will Thrive on Your North Facing Wall
FAQ
What is the best evergreen plant for a north facing wall?
What plants grow well in the shade side of the house?
Is north facing house good for plants?
What plants are good for a north-facing wall?
Here’s our full advice on how to improve your soil. Discover five beautiful plants for a north-facing wall, including ivy, Chinese virginia creeper and clematis, with help from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine.
What are the best plants for a north facing garden?
North facing gardens offer a special palette of plants that flourish in its cool, gentle light. From ground cover to towering trees, here’s your guide to the best plants for creating a vibrant garden in shaded conditions. Ivy is a classic choice for ground cover, especially in shaded or north facing gardens.
What is a good ornamental plant for a north-facing garden?
The evergreen plant offers dark green leaves that add color to your garden all year round. In summer, it puts on a show of lace-cap type flowers that are a glorious creamy-white color. This is a lovely ornamental plant for your north-facing garden that will happily cover an attractive wall, fence, or structure. 4. Osmanthus delavayi
Can plants grow in a north-facing wall or fence?
We pick five choice plants to grow in the dry, shady conditions created by a north-facing wall or fence. North-facing walls can be some of the trickiest areas to plant – the combination of dry soil and shade make it a difficult place for many plants to grow.
Can you plant plants along a north facing wall?
So long as you pick the right set of plants to grow along a north facing wall, you can transform a bare patch of garden into a whimsical and mystical place you’ll be happy to visit every day. The plants you select for your north facing wall don’t even have to be particularly high-maintenance. What to Plant Along a North Facing Wall?
Can a shrub be planted in a north facing wall?
Is one of those rare vines that will reward you with ab abundance of flowers, despite the heavier shade. Shrubs can be planted in front of a north facing wall to add color and character to the space, giving you the perfect backdrop for smaller flowering plants, as well as some grasses or ferns.