Planning a Shade Garden

Sun-loving gardens produce some of summer's flashiest blooms. But even if you're not blessed with a sun-drenched yard, you can still put your green thumb to good use by growing and maintaining a stunning shade garden. My mother has a small shade garden nestled near a tree-covered section of her yard, and it's one the most tranquil parts of the landscape; perfect for cozying up with a book on a warm summer day.

Think a shade garden would be a fitting addition to your landscape? Though you're better off waiting until fall when the temperature cools, it's a good idea to plan now. Keep these considerations in mind as you plan.

Types of shade. 

Not all shade is equal, according to a handy guide from the University of Illinois Extension. Dappled shade means patches of sunlight hit plants through the leaves in surrounding trees. Plants in medium shade zones receive approximately 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Dense shade is deep, and any plants planted in this area receive zero direct sunlight (which is why very few plants thrive in this kind of shade). Moral of the story? Before bringing plants or seeds home, check their growing requirements to see what type of shade they require.
Do a site analysis. 

If you're planting your garden in a spot surrounded by large, mature trees, search for a section of dirt that's root-free. This way, you'll avoid damaging the trees, and your trees and shade plants can more peacefully coexist without competing for moisture and nutrients.

Prep your soil. 

It's a good idea to perform a soil test to see what kind of soil you're working with. In general, shady areas have less air circulation than sunny gardens. And if you're dealing with a lot of tree roots, the soil may be heavily compacted. Encourage good air circulation by amending the soil with organic material. And conserve precious moisture with mulch.

Pick the best plants. 

Remember how I mentioned that sunny gardens produced showy blooms? Even though shade plants aren't as colorful or flashy as sun-loving varieties, you can still score some pretty sweet color. Classic foxglove comes in charming hues such as purple, pink, white, and yellow. Low-growing coral bells feature leaves in colors ranging from purple-metallic to lime green. And my personal favorite, hydrangeas, feature large clusters of blooms in pink, white, blue, and more.