Shade gardens

Shade gardens are those planted and grown in areas that get very little or no direct sunlight. They are often under trees or along buildings and fences. The challenge is to find plants that thrive in the shade you have. It may be cool, damp, dry or very wet. Plants not suited for the shade tend to grow tall and leggy. Most herbs and vegetables don't do well in mostly shady gardens. Some ground covers and woodland plants do very well in shade. Try Lamium and Euonymus under a tree or up a shady fence or wall. These can be used instead of grass as it is often difficult to grow grass because the tree will take all the moisture available. Shady spots are also ideal for seating areas, small patios, courtyards, birdbaths or water features.

THE PLANTAIN LILY is a very attractive plant with large light green leaves. It generally flowers in late summer right up until the frosts hit in late October. They don't require any special soil, grow in wet or dry shade, can be under planted with trees or shrubs and have large showy blooms with a strong fragrance like other lilies.

 Many of the shade loving plants have large leaves with small blooms. Pick foliage with interesting textures, sizes and colors to break up all the green. Spring bulbs do well under deciduous trees because they emerge and bloom before the tree leafs out and then die back and disappear. Plant your spring bulbs in between the bigger perennials in order to have continued color in spring, early to mid summer and later in August right up to fall. Do this by choosing those that bloom at different times. The bulbs like tulip and daffodil, bloodroot and bergenia take care of May into June, then the Iris, Solomon seal, spiderwort, Ferns, some variety of Hosta and Plantain Lily take over for July into August. Penstemon, Monkshood and virginia creeper all put on a show late of color in summer right up to the first frost in fall. It's not difficult to have a very showy border in a mostly shady location.

PLANTS FOR PART SHADE: Brunnera, Spiderwort, Ferns, Phlox, Hosta, painted fern, Ajuga, Bloodroot, Periwinkle, Bergenia, Honeysuckle, Dogwood, Mock orange, Lily of the valley, Hydrangea and creeping juniper and EUPHORBIA are hardy perennials that have white, blue, pink, red or yellow blooms. Many of these also are very scented or come in varieties with variegated leaves.

 MASTERWORT is another hardy one with 24 inch stems of pink blooms in mid summer. A beardless iris like the Japanese or Siberian variety do well in damp soil and along the edge of water ponds.

 RODGERSIAS have large leaves with 24 inch stems of cream plumes. HOSTA come in plain or variegated leaf, large or small varieties and are some of the easiest perennials to grow and maintain.

 LIGULARIA have reddish leaves in spring with 36 inch tall purple stems and bright yellow blooms.