How to Plant a Shade Garden

There is something so peaceful about a shade garden. It seems to draw you in with the coolness and fragrance in the heat of the summer. It takes a little practice to find plants that do well in the shade but with a little perseverance you can have a beautiful garden of your own.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Work gloves
• Hostas
• Day Lilies
• Ferns
• Begonias
• Violets
• Lilies of the Valley
• Impatients
• Shovel
• Garden plot

1. 

   Take a look around your yard or your neighbor's yard and see what grows naturally or well in your environment. I have transplanted many plants from the wild areas near my yard such as day lilies, ferns, violets, lambs ears. These are all perennials that thrive in the shade and multiply with a little care. Collect a few of these kinds of plants for your space.

2. 

   Look at the different plants you have and get some variation going. Find silvery leaves like lambs ears to contrast with the dark green of hostas.

3. 

   Plant varieties of textures like feathery ferns to lighten heavy canna leaves, or flowery impatiens with mint.

4. 

   Try to keep the colors muted to keep a calm affect, such as purples and blues and whites and pinks to contrast with the different shades of green.

5. 

   Once you have several plants down, mulch with a well ground root mulch - not wood chips. This will serve as a moisture retainer during dryer spells, as well as visual appeal.

6. 

   Now add more visually interesting items such as rocks or driftwood or stepping stones or hummingbird feeders. You garden should look peaceful and inspiring!

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Tips & Warnings

• Get creative and feel free to move plants around.
• Keep it evolving - it stays interesting
• Pop in a few edibles like lettuce

[elyria]

on 4/25/2009 Great suggestions for shade garden.