Hi Tui, at my front door (which has a verandah) I want to put 1 or perhaps 2 pots planted with something that will like a lot of shade. It is sheltered from the North and West and is open on the East and only slightly on the South end. A driveway runs right past the verandah and that is north facing. Can you recommend suitable plant options. I am in the south. Thank you.

Hi Lee, plants that are suitable for a shady position on the verandah are evergreen azaleas, pieris (lily of the valley tree), maples (which are deciduous so will lose their leaves in winter), Buxus, Hydrangea (also loses its leaves in winter), Hen & Chicken fern and Ivy which can be trained up a framework. Any of these plants can be underplanted with annuals for colour, such as impatiens. It depends if you are looking for a cottage look or a more structured look. Ask your local garden centre for some planting suggestions, they will have some great ideas and inspiration. The Tui Team.