Shade Gardening Secrets
by Thyra Kelly, Contributing Writer
Do you have lots of trees in your yard creating dark areas? Do you have shade for most of the day and think there’s no way you can grow a garden in the shade? If you said yes to either of those questions — think again! Many people believe you cannot have a garden if you have more shade than sun. I know I remember thinking that myself many years ago. It can be tricky deciding what plants to use without much sun as an inexperienced gardener. But as I have learned since, there are many beautiful options that when put together will create a dazzling display in your garden that you will love for generations to come. Don’t be fooled by thinking dark shade means no plants.
In an age where it seems like more trees are being cut down than planted, embrace your tree studded landscape and help change this narrative. Shade gardens can be highly complex and sophisticated when done correctly, evoking a lush, fertile, and peaceful atmosphere. Gone are the days of thinking shade gardens are lackluster! You will soon see that you just need the right plants for the right location and then see how stunning shade gardening can be.
Shade plants are low maintenance and require little active care from the gardener. What more could you want? The combination of low maintenance effort with beautiful foliage and leaves makes taking care of these woodland plants truly a pleasure. As they are plants that grow on the forest floor, they are used to dappled sunlight and moist soil conditions. No need to water these plants unless Mother Nature is in a drought.
So, how can you use these easy to take care of plants in your shade garden? Come with me to discover the secrets of shade gardening, from hot tips you should know –including texture and color-- to different types of plants you can use.
Shade Gardening Tips:
You might be wondering to yourself: well, what actually defines a shade garden? Do I have partial or full shade? A shade garden is any garden that has at least 4 hours of shade. Designing your shade garden is an excellent opportunity to play with color and texture to keep your garden vibrant and exciting!
White and Silver: Use white and silver amongst the greenery to brighten dark corners. Incorporating foliage and flowers with either silver or white is one of the most valuable secrets that shade gardeners hold dear, and you will surely see why when you try it. It helps create quite the pretty sight! Dappled light bouncing off white petals or variegated leaves brings the whole garden together and helps break up the garden from appearing as a mass of the same tone of green.
Color: Adding in bright, punchy colors like pink, orange, and red will create some colorful pops into your garden. Plants that have variegated and colorful foliage will add significant color to shade gardens, even if they are not in bloom.
Texture: Use differences in texture to create visually appealing contrast and interest in your garden beds. It is amazing what different leaves can do when layered into a garden. These differences really do play well together. Too much of the same texture leaf can be simply boring and cause your eyes to wander without finding a place to settle. Here’s a tip for you: Pair sharply serrated leaves (like those of ferns) with those that are long, feathery, and thin (look at grasses) or thick and rounded to give your eyes somewhere to rest. Mixing these different kinds of plants creates lovely textural combinations.
Warm Vibes: Designing your garden is not just limited to plants. You need to create ambiance, too. The atmosphere is equally as important. Add a bench, chair, or other cozy nook to create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. Particularly in the hot summer months, the shade is a place of refuge. Add your favorite set of garden statues and windchimes to create an especially serene environment to decompress in. A birdbath will make a perfect spot for your local birds to stop and cool off.
Go Native: There are so many options for shade plants that are native to our woodlands. Plant native plants to support local pollinators and wildlife. In an age where sustainability is paramount, now is the time to be planting native plants wherever we have room to do so. Embrace the oaks, maples, and other trees that are part of your yard with these understory plants.
What Plants Can I Put in my Shade Garden?
Worried about variety? You will not be limited to just a couple of plants. There are so many plants that you can use to keep your shade garden full of beauty and interest through the seasons. And yes, you sure can have plenty of color here!
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to just have different shades of green. From spring ephemerals to summer blooms, and plenty of interest in foliage, you will see shade gardening in a new light.
Spring Interest:
Virginia Bluebells: a naturalizer with lovely, graceful blue flowers
Bleeding Heart: heart shaped flowers on sloping stems
Foxglove: a tall, elegant choice to add old fashioned garden charm and height to your landscape with pink, white, or yellow flowers
Hosta: these are classic shade plants, made a classic by their fragrant white flowers and thick green leaves
Summer Interest:
Black Cohosh: tall, spiked flowers on top of dark green leaves
Astilbe: plumes of lofty, see through flowers
Summersweet: sweetly fragrant white and pink flowers
Anyone who knows me would tell you that I love watching ferns emerge from the earth in the spring and unfurl. There is something so ancient about them that immediately makes me think of magnolias and a more raw, volatile earth. Here are two of my favorites:
Maidenhair Fern: lovely foliage that adds elegance
Ostrich Fern: tall, dense, and dramatic green foliage
Shade Gardening
Using a variety of grasses, ferns, and perennial flowers will create a lovely amount of diversity in your garden. This one simple trick will turn your barren or boring landscape into a truly stunning, lush landscape that you will enjoy for years to come.
Now that you have your plant ideas, I recommend drawing out your garden before purchasing your plants! Have a look at where you want your garden to be and map it out. Draw plants in large clumps rather than small circles; you can always rework your design. If needed, add compost, humus, or leaf mold around the base of the plants. Most importantly, feel confident in your shade gardening ability and enjoy your new oasis!
Thyra Kelly is a NJ native and horticulture professional, who has 5+ years as a gardener and horticultural educator. She is a Rutgers graduate with a BS in Plant Science. She formerly worked for Willowwood Arboretum (Chester, NJ) and the Frelinghuysen Arboretum (Morristown, NJ). Thyra loves baking bread, visiting gardens, and foraging with her family. She runs a small wood burning business (Find it on Instagram or Facebook @singedsceneries) and is a stay-at-home mama to her daughter.
