You can plant in shade by creating shady conditions and selecting plants that thrive in low-light environments.
Here's a breakdown of how to successfully plant in the shade:
1. Understand Your Shade
Before you start planting, determine what type of shade you have:
- Light or Dappled Shade: Receives sunlight filtering through trees for several hours.
- Partial Shade: Receives direct sunlight for about 3-6 hours per day, usually in the morning.
- Full Shade: Receives less than 3 hours of direct sunlight per day, or only receives very diffused sunlight. This is often found on the north side of buildings or under dense tree canopies.
Understanding the type of shade is crucial for choosing the right plants.
2. Create Shade Where Needed
If you don't have natural shade, you can create it:
- Structures: Install pergolas, arbors, or shade sails to block sunlight.
- Layering Plants: Plant taller perennials, shrubs, or climbing plants to create shade for smaller plants. For example, a climbing vine on a trellis can provide shade for delicate groundcovers.
- Strategic Placement: Consider the angle of the sun and place taller plants to the south or west of the plants you want to shade.
3. Choose the Right Plants
Select plants that are specifically adapted to grow in shade. Some popular choices include:
- Hostas: These are shade garden staples, with many varieties of leaf color and size. Example: A large 'Sagae' Hosta can provide shade for smaller plants like bigroot geraniums.
- Ferns: Offer lush greenery and come in various sizes and textures.
- Impatiens: Provide vibrant color in shady areas.
- Begonias: Another colorful option for shade gardens.
- Astilbes: Offer feathery plumes of flowers in shades of pink, red, and white.
- Bigroot Geraniums (Geranium macrorrhizum): Groundcover tolerant of dry shade.
- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis): Fragrant and spreads easily.
- Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis): Delicate, heart-shaped flowers.
4. Soil Preparation and Maintenance
Even shade-loving plants need proper soil and care:
- Improve Soil: Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Shade can sometimes lead to overly moist soil, so good drainage is essential.
- Watering: While shade plants typically require less water than sun-loving plants, they still need consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Check the soil moisture regularly.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
5. Considerations for Planting
- Tuck low-growing plants under the shade of taller plants.
- Monitor plant health and adjust your approach as needed. Some plants may need more or less light than you initially anticipated.
- Consider microclimates: Even within a shady area, there may be variations in light and moisture levels.
By understanding your shade conditions, creating additional shade if needed, and choosing appropriate plants, you can create a thriving and beautiful shade garden.
