After working in garden centres and tree nurseries in the UK and Ireland, 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 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 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 all 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:
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
"I recently bought the dry fern collection, hosts and dodecahedron jeffreyi. Everything arrived quickly and the items were packaged with TLC and everything was in perfect condition on arrival. I'll definitely buy again. Thank you ??"
"Look no further than Shady Plants
Shady plants advised on ferns, described the features of each, sent photos of them and gave a planting plan. A complete service. Simply phenomenal and I can't praise and thank them enough."
"Got my plants...delighted with them. Excellent. May get some more!
16/04/21 AF - Kildare
"Thanks Mike and you staff, my order arrived this morning professionally packed and excellent condition, will be shopping again soon."
16/04/21 PM - Waterford
"Hi Mike, Just wanted to let you know that my order arrived a few minutes ago and I'm absolutely thrilled!
They were so well packaged and the plants looked perfect, thank you!"
15/04/21 CH - Co Meath
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