Perennial Shade Garden Ideas

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Are you looking for landscaping ideas to fill shaded spots in your garden? Maybe you have a steep slope or area that is difficult to access?

Lawn grasses can be difficult to grow due to bare spots and disease problems. Adding a perennial shade garden under larger plants or areas that have low light will liven up your landscape.

Shade-loving perennials provide lush, multicolored foliage that will flourish in 3-4 hours of sun per day or full-shade. Ground covers that thrive in shaded areas are also a great solution for masking uneven surfaces that may have rocks and tree roots.

Define Your Gardening Space

Each plant has a preference for how much light it needs to grow successfully. Prior to purchasing perennials for your shade garden, you will want to observe your garden. Look for how the sun moves throughout the day and take note of trees, structures, and any existing perennials. Sunlight will change throughout the year, so it is best to monitor your space each month.

1. Full Shade, Partial Shade, and Dappled Shade

Full shade and partial shade perennials need some sunlight to promote growth and flowering. However, if there is not enough shade, the plants will burn during hot summer days.

Plants that thrive in full shade require one to two hours of direct sunlight. They may receive some ambient light that is reflected from nearby structures or sunlight that peaks through trees. Full shade areas may be present under thick vegetation, patios, decks, overhangs, and other structures.

Partially shaded areas receive between two to six hours of sunlight. Objects that provide shade, the direction of the sunlight, and the intensity of shade are important factors to consider when planning your shade garden. Edges of wooded areas and the base of trees provide ideal growing conditions for partial shade perennials.

Dappled shade is created when sunlight is filtered by tree branches or structures with open spaces (such as latticework). The sunlight moves throughout the day, creating different patterns and shapes.

2. Morning Shade and Afternoon Shade

Several hours of afternoon sunlight are more intense and create more heat than morning sunlight. Perennials that require partial shade will do best in locations that receive morning sunlight. In addition to placing plants where nearby trees will provide afternoon shade, you can plant on the east side of structures. This will allow morning sunlight while providing protection from the heat and sunlight of the afternoon.

3. Soil and Water Needs

Shade-loving perennials will do best in deep and nutrient-rich soil that is similar to woodland areas. The soil should have a loose and airy texture and be able to hold moisture. Decaying organic material, such as leaves, helps retain moisture in soil when left to breakdown.

The pH level of soil in a shade garden should be neutral to slightly acidic. Although soil pH can be modified using chemicals, some plants may do best in containers. For a low maintenance shade garden, choose native plants that have adapted to grow in your local soil conditions and climate.

Trees use a lot of the moisture from surrounding soil so it is recommended to use perennials that tolerate dry conditions. Only a few inches of soil should be added around the bases of trees. This will allow tree roots to breathe.

Pebbles or stones can provide a natural and attractive addition to mulch and help retain water in soil.

Growing Perennials in a Shade Garden

1. Japanese Solomon's Seal

With arching dark-green leaves with pale-green and white streaks, Japanese Solomon’s Seal is perfect for shaded borders and woodland gardens. The stalks have lovely rows of bell-like flowers.

For information on identifying true Solomon’s Seal, click here.

2. Oakleaf Hygrangea

An Oakleaf Hydrangea has stunning white cone-shaped clusters and oak tree-like leaves. In the fall, the foliage turns purple and crimson. There are several varieties including dwarf types and large landscape specimens that can reach 15 feet tall.

3. "Coral Bells" Heuchera

Commonly known as coral bells or alumroot, Heuchera comes in many varieties. Bold foliage provides season-long colors of purple, bronze, chartreuse, or silver. Many species have flowers that attract butterflies.

4. Japanese Painted Ferns

These absolutely beautiful Japanese Painted Ferns have dramatic foliage with dark purple-red that fades at the edges. Ferns add elegance and grace to shade gardens. For minimal maintenance, use several ferns to fill large spaces.

5. Hakonechloa

Hakonechloa varieties provide texture and color to woodland gardens and areas with shaded borders. Their cascading leaves make a rustling sound when the wind blows.

6. Hostas

A favorite among many gardeners, hostas are an easy plant to grow in moderately-shaded areas. There are many types of hostas with a wide range of shapes, colors, and textures. Some sun is recommended for varieties with light or variegated foliage.

7. Pink Bleeding Heart

The Pink Bleeding Heart has lovely heart-shaped flowers with attractive blue-green foliage. Group them with hostas to fill in gaps while they are dormant.

8. White Nancy Lamium

Use White Nancy Lamium as a ground cover to smother invasive weeds. Their lush heart-shaped leaves and clusters of white flowers also make them an excellent addition to boarders.