If your home is in the northern hemisphere, a north-facing backyard can often mean it’s shaded throughout most of the day. It’s why properties with south-facing outdoor spaces fetch higher prices and are in more demand. It’s also why you may feel disappointed with your own, until now, at least.
The good news is that any backyard can become an oasis, no matter how much sun you get. If your area gets hot during the summer, you may even prefer the extra shade the shadow of your home gives your green space.
There are also so many ways you can truly transform your space, so long as you follow this guide:
First Up: The Pros of a North-Facing Backyard
It’s not all gloom when you live in the northern part of the country. On top of getting a good amount of sun in summer, there are other incredible benefits:
- A cooler retreat during heat waves
- A haven for shade-loving plants
- More consistent temperatures make it easier to grow plants, fruit, and veg
- Cooler temperatures often mean you can get away with watering less
The Challenges of a North-Facing or Shady Backyard
There are a few challenges, as with everything in life. If you have a massive backyard, then this won’t be such a problem, since you can organize your backyard accordingly. Smaller spaces will need you to become more creative.
- You may get less use out of your garden in spring/fall seasons, since it’s just too cold and dark.
- Snow may take longer to thaw out. Plants may take longer to resume growth.
- Dampness can make it more difficult to maintain outdoor areas.
How to Maximize the Potential of Your North-Facing Backyard
From swapping out essentials like your pool barrier and having glass pool fencing installed instead, to getting shade-loving plants, there are so many ways you can reclaim and love your backyard. Mix and match ideas, and remember to always customize these tips to match your property best:
Map Out Where the Sun Is
The first step is to map out exactly where your sun is, and to work in zones. You can do this manually or use a shade app to simulate the sun’s positioning.
The areas next to your house will likely see the shortest amount of sunlight hours, for example. The back will likely see the most. With this in mind, placing a new pool or a sun patio near the rear of your backyard is how you’ll maximize the sun where you want it most.
Use the Right Materials
The right materials can make a world of difference. Lighter masonry can brighten the space, and is ideal for patios and walkways. If you do have a pool, then you can maximize how much light it gets throughout the day just by swapping out the old barrier and having glass pool fencing installed instead.
Tip: Get a water-resistant coating added to any outdoor glass to minimize maintenance and maximize the view.
Use Vertical Garden Details
Another great way to make use of a shady backyard is to work upwards. A garden wall or trellis for plants that grow upwards is an excellent option. Each works to add greenery in ways that soak up as much sun as possible.
Use Potted Plants
If in doubt, pot. Potted plants are brilliant because they can be moved, allowing you to adjust their position throughout the year. This way, you can keep them in as much sunlight as they need, without worrying about too little (or too much) of that vitamin D.
Use Mirrors Against Far Walls
Another great way to brighten up a darker garden is with mirrors. This is particularly useful if you have a small space and are fighting against the shade of multiple properties. Mirrors and other reflective surfaces are going to bounce more light throughout your space.
Choose Shade-Loving Plants
Work with your shade. There are so many brilliant shade-loving plants to add to your landscaping, including:
- Ferns
- Hostas
- Ivy
- Hellebores
- Astilbe
- Heucheras
You can also enjoy fun variations of traditional foliage. For example, plants with variegated foliage, meaning those with multiple shades in their leaves, are typically happier in shade than they are in sun. Caladium, for example, only shows its true, stunning white, pink, and red variegation in the shade.
Just remember that shady spots can be a haven for pests, so ask your local garden nursery what pest-controlling plants to add. This way, you can naturally fight against those pests that thrive in your area.
Just remember to also choose sun-loving plants for the sunny spots, since shade-loving plants tend to burn in full sun.
Use Lighting
Lighting is always going to play a part in garden design. It’s how you can keep the space looking beautiful in twilight, or even at night before you go to bed. You can choose café lights and exposed bulbs for that ultimate evening restaurant look. Or you could dazzle with string lights. You can also use spotlights against focal areas in your backyard. There are so many ways you can light up the space to make your whole yard magical.
Where to Place Fire Elements
If you love outdoor cooking or just want an outdoor firepit, those shaded spots are ideal. The warmth of the fire or BBQ is going to be more tolerable in those shaded spots. With firepits, you’ll even be able to light it up and enjoy a cozy evening a lot sooner in the day, making your north-facing space ideal.
How to Extend Your Patio Use
One thing that you can’t really design your way out of is the fact that north-facing gardens have shorter seasons of use. That is, if you don’t prepare. To make sure you can use your outdoor lounge or dining area for as long as possible, get either an outdoor firepit, or outdoor heaters. These are easy ways to enjoy longer seasons outside with friends and family.
Ready to Get Started?
To really design well, you need to know your space well. Start tracking sunlight and planning your zones now. Use the time in the meantime to source materials, solutions, and plan out the space with professionals so you can have a truly stunning outdoor oasis to escape to year after year.
