Shade Garden Plants

When choosing your shade garden plants, it is important to define the levels of shade in your garden first so you can select plants best-suited to the shade category. There are many wonderful plants for shaded gardens and yards, but if you don't analyze the amount of shade available (full shade, partial shade and so on) before planting, your shade garden design is unlikely to be successful.

Shaded areas of the garden tend to be a bit neglected because people are not sure what to plant in shade or because they didn’t have much success in the past and are reluctant to try again. However, if you want to be successful in shade gardening, all you have to do is know how to define the shade areas and find the right plants to thrive under shaded conditions and environments.

Shade Types

Putting your shade into a category is important since some plants can grow in full shade while others will need partial or dappled shade with peeks of sunlight throughout the day. Basically, there are different classifications for shade and shade types are not all the same. If you study your garden, you'll notice that at different times of the day, each part of the garden receives a different amount of sun and shade. The sun moving across the sky from morning to night affects the amount of shade underneath trees, and parts of your garden may get some sunlight at different times of the day. For example, it may get lots of morning sun but be quite shadowed by the afternoon, and vice versa. 

Seasons

The above philosophy is also true throughout different seasons of the year. In winter, the sun may be lower in the sky whereas in the summer, it is higher and will touch parts of your garden that the light missed completely in the winter.

Visit our blog on how to Identify the Shade in Your Garden to determine for yourself the shade types that exist in your yard. From there, you can start thinking about which types of plants you want. 

Shade Plants

There are lots of interesting plants to cultivate in shade gardens. Some are attractive for their leaf color and variation, and others are appealing for their beautiful flowers. You can choose from shrubs, ferns, perennial flowers, groundcover and ivy, and bulbs that come up in spring and flower before the leaves come out on the trees and block out the sun.

Here is an alphabetical list of examples of shade garden plants.

A - E

• Ajuga Plants
• Astrantia
• Astilbe Plants
• Azalea
• Beebalm
• Bleeding Heart Flower
• Blue Lobelia
• Bluebell Flowers
• Bluestar Amsonia
• Browallia
• Bunchberry
• Caladium
• Celadine Poppy
• Cardinal Flower
• Coleus Plant
• Columbine Flower
• Coneflower Plant
• Crocus Flowers
• Daylily
• Dutchman Breeches

F - K

• Fawns Breath
• Ferns
• Foam Flower
• Forget Me Nots
• Foxglove Plant
• Goatsbread
• Heuchera Plant
• Hyancith
• Hosta Plants
• Iris Plants
• Impateins Flowers
• Jack in the Pulpit Plant

L - Z

• Lenten Rose Plant
• Lily of the Valley
• Lungwort Plant
• Meadow Rue
• Monkshood Plant
• Pansy Flowers
• Peony Plant
• Phlox Flower
• Poppy Flower
• Primrose Flower
• Rue Anemone
• Solomons Seal
• Trillium Plant
• Tulip
• Vines
• Wake Robin Plant
• Wax Begonia

Identify the Shade in Your Garden

Certain flowers like sunlight and certain flowers like the shade. Knowing the type of shade in your garden will help you know which flowers will thrive in your little piece of paradise. Knowing how to identify and define the levels of shade in your garden can be tricky, so we’re here to drop some shade facts for you.

Patterns of Shade

The shade garden consists of shade loving plants... in general. However, not all plants are shade-loving to the same degree. Some plants and flowers can survive without any direct exposure to sunlight at all, while some others will require varying degrees of exposure to the sun and light to survive. You have to learn to understand the needs of plants by looking at the pattern of shaded areas and different types of shade in your garden, and decide how to design your shade gardening and choose plants best suited to the types of shade in your garden.

Shade from Structures or Plants?

Foremost is the difference between shades from man-made structures—such as walls and buildings—and those more natural types of shade—such as from trees and plants. Typically, types of tree shade offer some sunlight occasionally or as dappled light, whereas walls and buildings tend to block out sunlight completely at different times of day. Even among species of trees, depending on the leaf size, the kind and degree of shade may vary. Understanding this helps the gardener determine which plants would grow well under different trees.

Defining Shade

Typically, six hours of sunlight exposure is the demarcation. Any location that gets less than six hours of full and direct sunlight is considered shady.

Shade Classified into Shade Types

• Dense Shade: This is probably the toughest of the shade types; typically the areas under and around man-made structures fall under dense shade categories. If you have some dense growing evergreen trees, they too many create dense and dark shade underneath them. The best use of a dense shade area in the garden is to lay walkways. The only plants that can be placed here are potted ones that can be manually placed in sunlight regularly to stimulate some growth for a while.
  
• Full Shade: These are very shady regions similar to dense shade but these types of shades lighten up in different seasons. The full shade areas are good places to grow plants that are tolerant to shades and can survive on reflected light. To lighten the full shade areas, you can use common light reflection techniques such as using light colors on fences, or placing light-colored walkways and ornamental stones around that area.
• Light Shade: Typically, these areas lay under tall trees. The area is not completely deprived of all light, but at the same time, it is not sufficiently lit to say that plants get enough sunlight. The best description of light shade regions is dappled shade. The movement of leaves and mesh of vegetation on top filters out most of sun’s rays but will let some still pass through. These are great places for shade loving plants.
• Part Shade: These areas receive direct sunlight, but not sufficiently long enough to be categorized as full sun areas. There are two categories in part shade: 'Morning Shade' areas that are in shade at dawn and dusk but well lit in afternoon, and 'Afternoon Shade' areas that are shaded in afternoon and well lit at dawn and dusk.

Shade Garden Test

Of course, before you start, you need to know which shade types are in your garden. It is often difficult to categorize shade areas. I suggest you do a test on how shady your garden is and which parts of it you would categorize as areas described above.

How?

One suggestion is to plant petunias and see how they grow. Petunias prefers sun, will also tolerate partial shade, but it will not grow completely in shade. So if you have petunia plants that bloom abundantly, then you know you have a full sun spot. If your petunias tends to bloom more modestly without very much vigor, then you know you have a partial shade in the garden... and if they don't grow at all, you know you have full shade.

Have fun choosing flowers for your garden, but make sure you know your types of shade first!

Create a Shade Garden

Why you need to create shade garden: do you already have a shady garden or have a lot of sun and need to create shade?

Don't think that it is useless and nothing will survive, there are lots of stunning flowers and plants suited for places that don’t get much sun. There plants that can’t stand direct sunlight for too long, and they prefer to be in the shade for most of the day. Flowers that prefer shade are just as beautiful as the ones that like the sun and some of them have equally great scents as well. If you have a garden that has a lot of shade, now you can try out some of these plants and use your entire garden!

Reasons to Create a Shade Garden

• Shade Sails make an outdoor cover! Remember those hot days of summer when you just can't stand the heat anymore? A shaded part of the garden will provide a cool and peaceful place to relax.
• A shade garden can be lower maintenance than a full sun garden so if you won't need to spend so much time gardening to maintain it. The flowers grow slower in the shade and they don't require as much care.
• There are many perennials that can live comfortably in shade without needing the same amount of care as other types of plants. You can have a beautiful garden without it taking up so much of your time.
  
• Improving all areas of your garden is also a financial advantage since a beautiful garden with colorful flowers greatly increases the value of your property. There aren't many people who would look at a property surrounded by shadow all the time, but if you can turn that into an oasis of color, then be sure that the offers you will get for your property will improve!
• Provide a wonderful place to have a party. Do you have a shady spot in your garden that looks depressing and uncared for? Turn it into a place for fun and entertainment while putting that shade to good use! Planting flowers doesn't take up too much of your time and it will be worth it when you get the opportunity to have parties, hang out with your friends, and have barbecues, grills, picnics and so on. A shady garden area for entertaining is so good when it’s hot. If you have a yard, why not use all the space in it? You will see how different it will look once the first flowers you've planted start to bloom.

Create…
Color
The first important aspect of a garden is its colors. When you select the flowers you want, think it through carefully. The height and color of plants is very relevant. Those gardens that have plants of different sizes and colors are the most beautiful — small beauties hiding behind taller flowers, seeming as if they are waiting to be discovered. If you have some very tiny flowers, make sure that their colors are vivid and special so they can be noticed among the larger plants and flowers.

Edging

Decorative edgings are quite popular nowadays. Using edging will make sure that nobody steps on the flowers or accidentally destroys them while mowing the grass. There are many kinds of decorative edgings, some made of brick, faux-stone, wood, and so on. For example, consider bamboo edging. It looks nice and natural against your garden plants. They also have different colors that can be matched with the flowers and foliage. It is very easy to install edges and once again you can rely on your imagination: you don't necessarily have to put them in a straight line; you can be creative and design your own shape.

Sitting Area

Add seating to increase your comfort. You can choose whatever you think matches with the style and atmosphere: wooden or bamboo benches, chairs, tables, anything that will make those summer evenings unforgettable. Sitting outside when the sun is setting is the best time to relax because most flowers have the strongest scent just before sunset.

Attract Birds

Add bird feeders to attract birds; they will be grateful and will also help keep insect numbers lower. Don't forget to put a water bowl out for the birds too, they need fresh water to drink and for preening and cleaning their feathers.

Decorative Items for Your Garden 

Once you have a garden with beautiful colors, scents, and enchanting bird song, you can add a final touch and decorate your garden! Wind chimes, solar lanterns, and statues are the most popular, but you can also have a water fountain!

February To-Do

Tend Your Indoor Garden

Tend to the houseplant, inspect for pests, and determine the need for re-potting.

Clean-Up

During winter thaws, wander through the yard gathering wind-thrown twigs and hauling the bigger branches to the woods. That makes spring clean-up go quicker.

Cut Back Grass

Cut back perennial ornamental grasses to about six inches above ground. Cut back liriope and mondo grass.

Rake Moss

Decomposing fallen leaves feed moss over the winter, but rake them in mid-winter to reveal a welcome emerald green carpet.

Fertilize

Fertilize trees and shrubs very late in the month.

Repairing Fences

Now that your view of the fence and gate is unobscured by plants and flowers, you might see where repairs are needed. Nailing loose pickets into place, put on a fresh coat of paint, and consider replacing the latch on the gate.

Painting Porch

If your front porch shows some wear and tear, plan to repaint the porch floor—a dark color to hide imperfections—and the ceiling. It's the first thing—besides the fence—people see when they visit your home so you want it to look great.

Mailbox Plantings

Add flowers and plants around the mailbox to take advantage of one more planting opportunity, while hiding the uninspiring post.

Plan Research Trips

Begin planning your visit to the local garden and flower shows.

Start Planning

Begin planning how you will add and/or change the garden come spring.

Planning Side Garden

After concentrating a lot of effort on your front yard garden last spring, it's time to give your side garden some love. Think about ornamental grasses and interesting specimens for part-shade.

Work on Lighting Plan

Security lighting is top priority for your home and family’s safety, but consider working on a more comprehensive plan that incorporates lighting to highlight landscaping.

Shopping for Furniture

Since stores are making room for furniture to debut in the spring, look in February for outdoor furniture on sale as retailers try to clear out for new items.

Spring Cleaning for Bluebirds

Clean out your bluebird boxes and secure any screws that are getting loose. If squirrels have been gnawing at the entrance hole of any boxes, buy a metal ring to put around the hole to deter them.

Stock Feeders

Stock the bird feeders regularly. Without trees and plants in new bloom just yet, birds are in need of a dependable food source. It’s also fun sitting on the porch and watching the different types of birds who come to eat.

Watch for Bees

On warmer days, watch the beehives for bees taking cleansing flights.

Seed Set-Up

Place orders for seeds.

Plant Spring Vegetables

Begin planting sweet peas and spring vegetables unless you live in a cold climate.

Plant Fruit Trees

If your region is snow-free, this is a great time to get bare-root fruit trees in the ground.

Plant Sweet Pea

Toward the end of the month, plant sweet pea seeds. Try a variety called “Window Box Heirloom Cupid” that’s recommended for window boxes and containers.

Protect Camellia

There are those that bloom in winter, including Camellia japonica. Now is the time to spray undersides of leaves with dormant oil to reduce tea scale infestations for the rest of the year.

Tend Sempervivum

Hen and chicks sempervivum—along with sedums—are among the most cold-hardy succulents in any winter garden. Carefully remove any mushy stems and leaves to better enjoy the small textured plants.

Buy Hyacinths

Snap up small 4-inch pots of forced hyacinths when they’re on sale at the supermarket. You can enjoy the fragrance in your home and move them outside once spring arrives. After the leaves die in midsummer, store the bulbs (still in their pots) for fall planting.

'Spring' into Gardening this Year

Depending on where you live, spring takes place at different times of the year. In milder climates, spring-like weather may show its face as early as the beginning of March: quite a bit earlier than in colder climates. Regardless of when spring officially starts, there are plenty of things you can do to prepare your garden for the entrance of milder weather.

Energize the Soil

After a long winter, the soil in your garden needs to be replenished with vital nutrients that will help plants grow. Add moisture and nutrition to your earth by investing in a fertilizer or adding organic nutrition like compost or manure to your soil. Adding fertilizer and composts boosts the overall health of your soil.

Pruning

Late winter or early spring is a perfect time to employ a few spring gardening tips to prepare your trees and bushes for a season of healthy growth. Spring is a great time for this because of the milder temperatures. One effective task is pruning your bushes: it stimulates growth. Clip your trees and bushes to improve the shape and to get rid of cross branches. It cleans your garden and helps it to grow unfettered by limited space and excess branches.

Forcing Branches

Forcing branches help young flower buds to bloom. Start by finding branches with flower buds on them that are a half inch in diameter. Cut them and put them in a bucket with a floral preservative in them. Make your own preservative by adding a tablespoon of Listerine or lemon-lime soda to a quart of water. You will soon see the flower buds become more colorful and begin to sprout.

Landscape Makeovers for Older Homes

Many people love having the great house with the large garden. Where once was a rarely used, tired space, is now a welcoming, colorful and relaxing place to spend time. Lavish landscaping is out, working with the local environment is in. The decorating theme you choose will narrow down your choices in several different areas. With creativity and a sensible budget, you can breathe life back into any older home. You can keep the original structure, shape, and character of your home intact while dramatically improving the exterior.

Landscaping touches do not have to cost a lot of money or require a lot of time. Landscaping is often considered as an investment of time, energy and money. With a significant investment in time and money, you want to make sure your vision get’s executed and that your expectations from inception are met.

You can choose from more dozens of plants to add to the landscape around your home; however, you need to plan properly before planting any flowers, bushes, and trees. Consider the climate of your area, how much sun or shade your yard gets throughout the day, and the quality of the soil. There are reasons why people choose artificial grass instead of natural grass; maintenance and year-round greenery are the most popular.

Your landscape patio design is an essential part of an enjoyable and functional outdoor living area. There is something to be said for a landscape design that focuses on less instead of more. Your outdoor living area should be just as beautiful, functional, and enjoyable as the inside of your home. Outdoor furniture can cost a good chunk of money, so being able to refresh what you have can really help you save.

The benefits of adding water features to a landscape design are many. A small backyard should not deter you from creating the kind of landscape you have always dreamed of. Low-maintenance landscaping can be used to help conserve water, time, and energy in maintaining the landscape.

Your landscaping will be in the dark if you do not have the right type of lighting. To successfully complete a project, the proper tools are imperative. You can talk to Green Landscaping about having lighting installed throughout your landscape so you can enjoy your yard even after the sun goes down.

Pondless Waterfalls

Water features can be the extra touch that makes your landscape stand out among all the other yards in the neighborhood. Fish ponds and fountains are fine, but a waterfall is something special. Most people say the tranquil sound of running water is the number one reason they choose to install a waterfall. The sound of water cascading down stones is far more natural than a pump in a fountain.

Traditionally, waterfalls used to feed into ponds where you could keep fish. Not everyone wants the chore of having to feed the fish, change the filter in the pump, and scrape the algae off the sides of the basin. If you’re one of those people who wants all the aesthetic advantages of a water feature without all the upkeep, you might consider a pondless waterfall. This is also a great option if you’re worried about children and small pets falling into a pond.

At Green Landscaping, we can custom design and install your pondless waterfall into your pre-existing landscape or as part of an entire yard renovation. A simple reservoir and pump system is all you need to make your waterfall functional. Our pondless waterfalls can be small enough to fit cozily in your front yard, or big enough to bring much-needed character to an empty slope on your property.

To install a pondless waterfall, we have to excavate for the reservoir, stream, size and shape. Next, we cut and lay a flexible liner, followed by positioning the stones for the waterfall. The water can cascade out between flat rocks or through a stone with a drilled hole. Since a pond is not included, you have the freedom to arrange shrubs and flowers around the waterfall that are best suited to your climate. We can even include above-ground or underwater lighting for that extra flare.

A waterfall from Green Landscaping will undoubtedly be the most beautiful and favored feature in your water garden. Every outdoor water feature will be unique to the landscaping and sensitive to your budget. We guarantee you’ll love your custom pondless waterfall!