Plants for Shady Areas - Shade Gardens
One of the most common problems faced in landscaping is finding plants that will grow in shady areas (shade gardens). It doesn't matter how pretty plants look in catalogs: if they aren't good shade plants, they'll disappoint you in shade gardens. Instead, compromise and select plants that tolerate or even prefer shade.
Plants for Dry Shade
Plants for dry shade meet a dual challenge: little water and little light. The plants for dry shade discussed in this article will tolerate these difficult conditions.
Plants for dry shade meet a dual challenge: little water and little light. The plants for dry shade discussed in this article will tolerate these difficult conditions.
"Made in the Shade": Shade Gardens Made Easy
There's a shade plant suitable for every landscape design need. Don't fight the shade, trying to grow sun-loving plants there: take the easy, sensible approach, and plant shade plants there! Start thinking in terms of "shade gardens," as distinct from the planting you do in sunnier areas of the yard. These tips on shade gardens are geared for do it yourselfers.
There's a shade plant suitable for every landscape design need. Don't fight the shade, trying to grow sun-loving plants there: take the easy, sensible approach, and plant shade plants there! Start thinking in terms of "shade gardens," as distinct from the planting you do in sunnier areas of the yard. These tips on shade gardens are geared for do it yourselfers.
Woodland Gardens
Woodland gardens aren't just for the woods. Even a suburban plot in a shaded area near large trees (and their falling leaves) can profit from the concept behind woodland gardens.
Woodland gardens aren't just for the woods. Even a suburban plot in a shaded area near large trees (and their falling leaves) can profit from the concept behind woodland gardens.
Climbing Hydrangea Vines
Climbing hydrangea vines solve a problem for homeowners with shady areas to plant, being shade-tolerant vines. Climbing hydrangea vines do, however, flower more profusely if they receive some sunlight.
Climbing hydrangea vines solve a problem for homeowners with shady areas to plant, being shade-tolerant vines. Climbing hydrangea vines do, however, flower more profusely if they receive some sunlight.
Hosta Plants: Staple for Shade Gardens
Hosta plants do have flowers but are usually grown for their foliage. The foliage color of hosta plants, as shown in the pictures provided, can be green, gold, or blue, and variegation is common. Most hostas are suitable for shade gardens, but this article explains the exceptions.
Hosta plants do have flowers but are usually grown for their foliage. The foliage color of hosta plants, as shown in the pictures provided, can be green, gold, or blue, and variegation is common. Most hostas are suitable for shade gardens, but this article explains the exceptions.
Trees for Shade Gardens: Dogwoods
Dogwoods are among the best-loved flowering trees of spring also also bear attractive autumn leaves. Being understory trees by nature, dogwood trees do well in partial shade, making them a suitable tree for shade gardens.
Dogwoods are among the best-loved flowering trees of spring also also bear attractive autumn leaves. Being understory trees by nature, dogwood trees do well in partial shade, making them a suitable tree for shade gardens.
Liriope Spicata (Lilyturf)
Liriope spicata, also called 'lilyturf' or 'border grass,' is a deer-resistant perennial ornamental grass. Liriope can, indeed, be used as a 'border grass' in areas of dry shade.
Liriope spicata, also called 'lilyturf' or 'border grass,' is a deer-resistant perennial ornamental grass. Liriope can, indeed, be used as a 'border grass' in areas of dry shade.
Shrubs for Shade Gardens: Yews
English and Japanese yew bushes are widely used for foundation plants or in hedges. And because yews tolerate more shade than many shrubs, they can work well in shade gardens.
English and Japanese yew bushes are widely used for foundation plants or in hedges. And because yews tolerate more shade than many shrubs, they can work well in shade gardens.
Foxglove Plants
Foxglove flowers (Digitalis purpurea) will thrive in shade and tolerate dry soil, although they prefer moderate moisture. Foxglove plants are poisonous, although they are also used medicinally.
Foxglove flowers (Digitalis purpurea) will thrive in shade and tolerate dry soil, although they prefer moderate moisture. Foxglove plants are poisonous, although they are also used medicinally.
Spotted Dead Nettles
Spotted dead nettles display an attractive silvery foliage and bear white blooms. They're a good choice for dry shade gardens.
Spotted dead nettles display an attractive silvery foliage and bear white blooms. They're a good choice for dry shade gardens.
Moss: Lawn Alternative, Groundcover for Shade Gardens
Does your lawn suffer due to excessive shade? Are you constantly battling moss? Maybe it's time to conclude, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" After all, moss is a more natural plant for shady areas than is grass (observe what grows in the shade in nature). Some people find moss attractive, once they get over the "lawn weed" tag. Shade gardens with moss are catching on as a lawn alternative.
Does your lawn suffer due to excessive shade? Are you constantly battling moss? Maybe it's time to conclude, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" After all, moss is a more natural plant for shady areas than is grass (observe what grows in the shade in nature). Some people find moss attractive, once they get over the "lawn weed" tag. Shade gardens with moss are catching on as a lawn alternative.
Canadian Hemlock Trees
Eastern or 'Canadian' hemlock trees are tall, long-lived specimens. But many shorter cultivars of Canadian hemlock trees have been developed for landscape usage. Their shade tolerance is one of Canadian hemlock trees most valued characteristics.
Eastern or 'Canadian' hemlock trees are tall, long-lived specimens. But many shorter cultivars of Canadian hemlock trees have been developed for landscape usage. Their shade tolerance is one of Canadian hemlock trees most valued characteristics.
Perennial Plants for Shade Gardens: Astilbes
As Marie Iannotti, About's Gardening Guide, writes in this article on Astilbes, these perennial landscape plants work well in shade gardens, offering a textural contrast to another group of favorite perennial plants for shade gardens: hostas. Find out more about Astilbes and enjoy their feathery plumes in your shade gardens this summer.
As Marie Iannotti, About's Gardening Guide, writes in this article on Astilbes, these perennial landscape plants work well in shade gardens, offering a textural contrast to another group of favorite perennial plants for shade gardens: hostas. Find out more about Astilbes and enjoy their feathery plumes in your shade gardens this summer.
Primroses
About's Gardening Guide, Marie Iannotti, writes, "The Primrose is an unusually vivid spring blooming perennial flower. Unlike the subtle pastels associated with spring, primroses shout out in bold yellows, reds, pinks and blues." Primroses enjoy partial shade and will provide a boost of color to shade gardens.
About's Gardening Guide, Marie Iannotti, writes, "The Primrose is an unusually vivid spring blooming perennial flower. Unlike the subtle pastels associated with spring, primroses shout out in bold yellows, reds, pinks and blues." Primroses enjoy partial shade and will provide a boost of color to shade gardens.
Fernlea Flowers Ltd.
Accent plants, ferns, grasses, pansies, container gardens, winter gardens and much more are available through Fernlea Flowers Ltd. Ferns are a no-brainer for shade gardens, but you may not know where to begin. Fernlea provides fern pictures that will help you choose between the various types of ferns.
Accent plants, ferns, grasses, pansies, container gardens, winter gardens and much more are available through Fernlea Flowers Ltd. Ferns are a no-brainer for shade gardens, but you may not know where to begin. Fernlea provides fern pictures that will help you choose between the various types of ferns.