Shady Plants was born back in 2006. We wanted to grow and supply the best hardy ground ferns we could. Our initial promise was never to sell plants taken from the wild, hence no large tree ferns, a promise we have upheld to this day. We use peat free compost for our ferns and shade plants.
We started selling the plants at a local farmers market. the next season we were at nationwide plant fairs then the next year, Bloom in the Park (its second year and we have been at every Bloom since). In those heady days before Brexit we also did many plant fairs in the UK, including The Cottesbrooke Plant Finders Fair (very fondly remembered by everyone who participated), RHS plant fairs at Cardiff, Hyde Hall, Harlow Carr, Rosemoor, Wisley, and Tatton Park. We also participated at The Gardener's World Spring Fair, and at a unique plant fair in Kew Gardens! The Kew Garden Plant Finders Fair in 2015 was the very first and only time a plant fair was held in Kew Gardens. This one off event was so special and we learned so much during our 'down time' while there.
We have been supplying plant by mail order since 2007. Initially we supplied ferns but after Brexit we made the decision to use our knowledge and experience in growing other plants to grow and supply a wide range of predominantly shade loving plants. This love of growing plants has expanded to include a surprisingly easy to grow group of plants, the carnivorous plants, especially sarracenia (extremely easy) and Venus Fly Traps (easy when you know how!) The divisions of many different varieties of both is underway in earnest!
The photo shows the front page of an article in the superb Garden Heaven magazine of Molly and myself a few years after opening.
Thank you for visiting our new website, we hope you find something to pique your interest and would love to see you at the many plant fairs we will be attending!
Recent customer comments:
Plants received amazingly packed and I am extremely happy with them. I will be back for more, quality is best I have seen for a long time.
BS- 10/25
As always superb quality. Another addition to my ever growing collection of Arums- great and thanks so much Mike.
WH-10/25 on Google
My recent order from Shady Plants arrived even quicker than I had hoped. I was particularly impressed by the meticulous care taken in packaging; each plant was individually wrapped and labelled, ensuring that the entire large order arrived in perfect condition.
SH-09/25 on Google
Great service as always with Shadyplants.ie. My plants delivered quickly and in great condition. Thanks.
Ceciliao 10/25 on Trustpilot
Super good company
I'm new to ferns but utterly fascinated. I ordered several and they all arrived safely, very well packaged and very reasonably priced.
This is a lovely company and I have no hesitation in awarding them a truly well deserved 5 stars and in recommending them without reservation.
CustomerMary Keating 10/25 on Trustpilot.
A lot of hard to find plants at good prices
I've night a good few ferns and heucherellas over the past few years because they are always unique, so quickly and efficiently and in excellent conditions. Even the plug plants I've bought have tended to thrive. I don't think anybody else in the country has as good a range of colours and varieties.
Laura Farrel 10/25 on Trustpilot
This was my first time buying live plants online. I found it hard to imagine the plants making it to me intact through the post, but they did, perfectly, all 13 of them in the same box. They were wrapped really carefully in newspaper. Everything ordered was delivered, and delivered quickly considering the care that was taken to package the order. All planted now. They have a massive selection. I will definitely be back for more for our other shaded spot.
BF- 04/25 on Google
Shady Plants is so good
Have placed a couple of orders this year with Shady Plants and never disappointed. The order is received quickly and packed with care. Plants are lovely and service from the team is superb - all questions responded to and some very useful tips. thank you
Paula Comiskey 12/24 on Trustpilot
I have bought ferns from Shady Plants for many years. The plants arrive promptly to Belfast in good condition. I have a bank of many varieties admired by my neighbours. Just once I lost a baby Tree Fern, and I got a free one in my next order. I hear on Gardener’s Corner from Mike at the Show that there is a new Fern at the nursery. I will order of course. I thoroughly recommend Shady Plants. Morna
MM 06/24 on Google
I highly recommend this company. Thank you very much for the great service. Their selection of native ferns is exceptional, and it is such a pleasure to see them in my garden. The maidenhair ferns are a beautiful addition. This is a nursery I would highly recommend. I just wanted to say thank you for sending the plants (mainly Heucheras). They are due to join the leafy collection very soon. ShadyPlants.ie is already added to my favorites/bookmarks and I’m sure I will be soon asking for some more plants. Thank you & Happy New Year!
08/01/24 MM - Kildare
Dear Mike, I'm pleased to inform you that your shipment was delivered to me today in perfect condition. I remain grateful to you for the careful protection of the plants.
05/12/23 NS- Spain
Hi Mike, Plants arrived safely today. I'm very impressed with your packing skills! Thank you for all the advice and the foliage.
11/08/23 DD -Sligo
Good morning Mike, Just took say plants arrived this morning all packed really well and in great condition. Thanks again
22/02/23 MM- Dublin
This is simply the very best mail order Fern Nursery! Everything about it is excellent. Wonderful plants clearly grown with great skill. Excellent value. Beautifully, lovingly, packed. Delivered in great time without and issue. Can't recommend it highly enough! Buy something from Mike you won't regret it!!!
16/02/23
"I LOVE getting plants from you!!! My order just arrived today. Thank you so much and 10% off future purchases! What's not to like? Thank you Mike!"
KR 15/02/23 - Wicklow
"Hi, Many thanks, I received the delivery today and everything looks great."
24/11/22 DC - Dublin
"Hi Mike, Just received my order..thank you so much for how well you packed my order .. makes a lovely change with online plants ! I will be ordering again no doubt in future..."
5/10/22 MM- Dublin
"Received my lovely plants just now and wanted to thank you for packaging them so well. Arriv ed in perfect condition and as it is jolly wet today they are right a home already!! Thanks again for your great service"
28/10/21 DC - Co. Down
"Hi Mike, I took delivery today of my recent order, I have to say I'm very impressed with your service. Very fast delivery time coupled with first-class packaging made this a satisfactory experience.
I look forward to using your nursery again in the near future."
25/01/23 CM - Armagh
"Thank you for my ferns, I am delighted with them."
17/10/21 MR - Co. Meath
"Dear Mike, Thank you very much for the lovely plants which arrived safely early this morning."
24/09/21 ME - Mayo
My box of ferns arrived, immaculately packed and just what I wanted.
I really enjoyed your RHSI talk the other evening, which inspired me to order from you and plant up a shady area in my garden with more ferns.
Thank you so much.
10/03/21 SO - Cork
