The Secret Shade Garden - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-secret-shade-garden) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fthe-secret-shade-garden) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/gardens/the-secret-shade-garden/primary_image.webp?v=68d7fb85-000b-4cbf-937f-41b155e70b2a) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ BBC Gardeners' World Autum Fair 2025 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/bbc-gardeners-world-autum-fair-2025) Beautiful Borders The Secret Shade Garden ========================= At a glance Show BBC Gardeners' World Autum Fair Year 2025 Category Beautiful Borders Border Photo: GardensDB About this garden The story ----------- Shady corners are often neglected and unloved parts of the garden. My design creates a secluded green nook with ferns and other shade-loving plants. A mossy path draws visitors into a little clearing. Log piles and a tree stump give structure to the area. The wood provides an abundance of habitats and nutrition for insects, small birds, and frogs. Dead material is closely interconnected with life in the garden. Death cultivates life. Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/683c4ae1-b383-4663-a719-03cceac732bc/conversions/067BE28C-843D-4FC0-A283-81A8AB88315A_1_102_o-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/3ad1118c-fd87-46a4-a7f5-be2d65385a25/conversions/58DCBE83-9333-4BC9-88C6-4B81B2DA2B3B_1_102_o-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/3fde6fa6-539b-4365-9524-c1ca05d97d91/conversions/949E95AD-8305-44AB-ACE9-BE724972F3F4_1_102_o-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/dde2cd9e-10f4-4fe6-a026-bd8724e52afe/conversions/561214CC-E82C-49AB-ABEC-6BA8AF994F0F_1_102_o-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/2035709a-130b-40d1-91b3-d855bae8d407/conversions/05945455-F250-421F-B53B-CBB1E31E8158_1_102_o-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/1ef9a5fc-566a-480d-8ff7-0565292460bb/conversions/DC05F969-5925-4EB2-9FFB-2B9A0B53D372_1_102_o-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9c78f89f-e8a9-475d-b2a4-7982166ce829/conversions/45AC34FD-5C32-4A92-A984-FC4DE06D6B3C_1_102_o-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/3408546c-d67e-4e79-8923-8e3f17d353b9/conversions/0FEADB38-28E8-4629-9735-3722EFF0E5DB_1_102_o-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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