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Even shady gardens can grow beautiful if you plant the right types.

is a hobby that can do wonders for your mental and physical health, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Plants need specific environments to help them thrive, and many flowers require constant sunshine.

If your doesn't get much sun, this can demotivate you. You might find yourself wandering your local garden centre and having to dismiss every plant that states it must have "full sun" or at the very least only "partial shade".

But not all plants thrive in direct sunlight. There are some things you can grow in your garden even if your outdoor space is mostly shaded. They can also make excellent to fill in gaps around the bottoms of trees, or in small flowerbeds that might be shaded by a garage or fence.

A gardener named Michael shared five of the best shade-loving plants in a video on . He added that every plant on his list is a perennial, meaning they'll keep growing back every year.

Pulmonaria

First on Michael's list was pulmonaria, which he described as "low-growing" and "bee-friendly." According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), pulmonaria - also known as lungwort - is an "easy-to-grow" plant that thrives best in "light shade".

The plants have small bell-like flowers that appear in the spring and provide "attractive ground cover" until they die down in late autumn. Pulmonarias also dislike full sun because it can dry them out and cause them to wither.

Brunnera

The gardening expert next pointed to brunnera, a "hardy perennial" with tiny blue flowers that appear throughout spring. The plant also has another added benefit - it doesn't suffer from pests. This means it can be a great choice if your garden is also prone to slugs and snails.

The RHS describes Brunnera as a "reliable plant for shadier areas of the garden". Their delicate leaves can "scorch" in full sun, particularly in dry soil, so they thrive in shady gardens.

Heuchera

Next on Michael's list was heuchera, a summer-flowering plant that can add some bold colour to your garden through its leaves. The plant's foliage can come in a variety of colours, including green, red, and purple, and it keeps its leaves all year, so you'll always have some colour in your garden even when the flowers have died back.

The RHS states: "They are easy to grow, versatile and low maintenance, popular as ground cover and for filling in gaps between taller plants, providing colour virtually all year round."

Astilbe

The gardener next recommended Astilbe, a summer-flowering plant that produces "fluffy flower spikes" in shades of red, pink, or white. The leaves may scorch in hot and sunny weather, so they're best suited to the shade.

However, the RHS does state that they can grow in a sunny spot as long as the soil remains damp throughout the summer to prevent the roots from drying out.

Hosta

Hostas come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, and the RHS describes them as one of the "best of all foliage plants". They do have gorgeous summer flowers, but they are prized for their equally stunning foliage that lasts until winter.

The plant loves the shade, but the leaves also have a reputation for being loved by slugs and snails. The RHS recommends choosing a hosta with "some resistance" in order to minimise holes from hungry insects.

So there you have it - some beautifully colourful blooms that are bound to brighten up any dull-looking garden in a jiffy!

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