A shady spot in the landscape can become a cool and inviting retreat when filled with shade-loving plants. Add a water feature, such as a fountain or pond, a gazebo or garden bench, and relax in an oasis of greenery. Experiment by planting several different varieties of shade-tolerant plants to experience the difference in colors and textures. Shade gardens can be just as vibrant and lush as full sun locations. Many plants will do well in shade or semi-shade. Choose plants for either damp or dry shade, dependent on your landscape conditions.
Semi-Shade Garden Greenery
Low maintenance, herbaceous perennials cultivated for their luxuriant foliage, hostas are easy to grow and offer a bright touch to dark spots in the shade garden. There are more than 2,500 different hostas cultivators including miniature varieties that only grows to a few inches in height, to stately specimens that grow up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide. While hostas are shade tolerant, they do best when placed in spots in the garden that receive some morning sun. Hostas thrive in rich organic soil. Established clumps can be dug up and divided to spread hostas to new spots in the shade garden. Hostas grow well in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 9. Fragrant varieties of hosta emit a pleasant lemon scent. Plant around the base of a patio or surround a garden bench or water feature with the verdant foliage and fragrance of hosta plants. Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) is a herbaceous perennial that grows well in semi-shade and adds color and texture to shady areas. Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) is a herbaceous perennial that exhibits bold yellow flowers in June through August. These hardy plants spread rapidly to fill in bare spots in semi-shade and shade locations; very attractive when planted against a backdrop of hardy hostas.
There are more than 12,000 different species of ferns in all shapes and sizes. Their fine-textured graceful fronds make a striking statement in the home garden. Many varities of fern offer brilliantly colored fall foliage. It is easy to find varieties that are ideal for your USDA hardiness zone and growing conditions. Cultivating ferns is a fascinating hobby and one that the home gardener can enjoy with little effort. Common ferns and grape ferns are the easiest to grow in deep shade. Ferns love moisture and nutrient rich, organic soil. Ferns can be hung in baskets from tree branches, planted along paths and walkways and utilized as a deep green background to showcase flowering plants. Many hardy ferns are tolerant of winter cold. Northern maiden hair fern (Adiantum pedatum) and lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) are popular favorites in cool shade gardens. Brighten the shade garden by adding brightly colored, contrasting shade loving flowers. Pink polka-dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is a perennial in United States hardiness zones 10 and 11 or cultivated as an annual in cooler zones. The dark green leaves, about 2 to 3 inches in length, are covered with pink polka-dots. The color of the dots intensifies in the shade and make a bold contrast against a background of ferns. Add more bright pink color by planting bleeding hearts (Dicentra) which grows well in deep shade.
Deep Shade Groundcover Plants
Colorful, drought and deer resistant, Jack Frost Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) adds a bright note and multi-seasonal visual interest to deeply shady spots under trees, around ponds or along pathways. Also commonly known as Siberian bugloss, the hardy, deer and rabbit proof perennial grows from 12 to 18 inches tall and forms clumps approximately 18 to 24 inches wide. The clusters of fragrant flowers are a deep violet-blue. The attractive plant presents heart shaped variegated leaves up to 6 inches wide, is low maintenance and grows very quickly to fill in bare spots in the shade garden landscape. Grows well in well-drained, moist soil. Mature clumps can be divided and transplanted in additional spots in the garden. Jack Frost Brunnera attractively pairs with lily-of-the-valley and other shade tolerant spring bulbs.
Shrubs And Bushes For Dry Shade
Aralia (Eleutherococcus sieboldianus ‘Variegatus’) is a fast-growing deciduous shrub that presents boldly colored green and white variegated leaves. The shrub does well in semi-shade and deeply shaded locations. The hardy plant reaches 6 to 8 feet in height at maturity. The shrub is used for bird and wildlife habitat belts, or plant against a rock wall or fence to create a striking contrast. St. John’s wort (Hypericum beanii) is a low-growing deciduous shrub that exhibits bright yellow flowers all summer long. Both shrubs grow well in deep shade and tolerate dry conditions.
Reference:
- Ohio State University Extension: Growing Hostas [ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1239.html]
- American Fern Society: Introduction [amerfernsoc.org/]
- The United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map [www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html]
