That shady area of your garden to not be as full of color and life as other areas that are blessed with more sun. In fact, there are many varieties of plants that will thrive in darker conditions. A shade garden can be a oasis for plants that might not grow in your region without some protection of the sun, so learn to love these dimmer corners of your garden and experiment with some shade loving species of plants.
One advantage of a shade garden is that the soil retains more moisture, reducing the need for manual watering, and keeping thirsty plants happy and healthy. However, the exception to this rule is areas that are shaded by the canopy of a large, established tree. In this case, the tree may use up most of the water and nutrients of the surrounding soil, so you will need to add extra compost as well as water on a regular basis to keep both the tree and any competing plants healthy.
Another thing to consider for shade gardens beneath trees or bigger shrubs are the dead leaves in fall. While these leaves are great food for plants, it is better to gather and mulch them before re-spreading around your plants to prevent a solid mat from forming over the soil and stopping new shoots and flowers from coming through.
If your shade garden is also dry, then plants face a double challenge. Hostas, foxgloves and daylilies will all fare well in areas with little light or water, however it is important to remember that the more help you can give your shade garden plants, the better they will thrive. Make sure you fully understand both the soil quality, water content and type of shade (partial or full, light or dense) before beginning to plant plants. Gardening is an ongoing process, and the shade and soil conditions will change with the seasons, so try to keep a record of how much direct sunlight your shade garden gets at different times of the year.
One advantage of a shade garden is that you don’t need to worry about scorched leaves or fast-fading flowers so more delicate varieties such as columbine and roses may do well in a shade garden if you live in a hotter region. Many plants that are often used in full sun gardens will also tolerate shade surprisingly well. Hostas and lilies are two perfect examples of plants that will shine in even the shadiest of places. These plants have rich foliage and bright flowers, giving an almost tropical feel to dark areas that can be complemented with feathered ferns and English Ivy for a lush green shade garden with plenty of color and visual interest.
When selecting plants for your shade garden, pay careful tending to how just what degree of shade they will tolerate. Some plants will do well in light to moderate shade, but will not survive in areas that do not get any direct sunlight. Read up about the plant varieties that you wish to use, as careful shade garden plan will prevent disappointing results or dying plants.
