Easy to grow Shade Plants... Perennials, Annuals and Shrubs...

Shade Garden

My Shade Garden 2010

For many, shade plants represents shade gardening, which for many is considered challenging, or problematic. However, in reality shade gardening can be quite rewarding. Think of shade gardens as watering less and the blooms seem to last forever.

I find it rather refreshing to work in my little shade garden. And actually, my shade garden is considered in medium shade. There are 3 categories of shade gardnening:

light shade; four or more hours of sun or dappled shade all day. What is dappled? I have a large oak tree shading my south garden. The sun, as it crosses the sky, still manages to poke a few rays and give that 'dappled' light.
medium shade; two to four hours of sun or heavily dappled shade
deep shade; pretty much no sun all day long

Half of my South Garden lies in medium shade while the other half receives part sun and then filtered sun (light shade)...I sometimes call it moving shade. Most is due to my neighbors oak trees, their various heights and the location of the sun. Obviously, as the summer wanes, and the sun becomes lower in the sky, the part sun area becomes mostly shade. Not to worry...there are many shade loving annuals, perennials and shrubs to choose from.

Slugs, slugs and more slugs...

Just remember about the little slimey critters that slither out at dark. For some reason the slugs have a tendancy to enjoy shade loving plants. Soil seems to stay moist in the shade and as we know, slugs love moisture! There id the beer in the saucer trick or the half shell of a grapefruit turned upside down in the garden to stay off the slugs, however unless you purchase decorator slugs catchers (yes they are available), the beer saucer and grapefruits can look unsightly in the garden. And let us not forget about the slug pellets. These do work, however they must be re-applied after a rainfall.

Why not try the thin copper wire trick. First of all, copper acts as an electric current to the slugs and once they try to cross over...well, they turn to mush. Take a piece of copper wire and place around the bottom of the plant(s). Any gauge of copper wiring can be used, but sometimes the thinner wire is less noticable. Some gardeners choose to place a heavier gauge of wiring around the edge of their shade garden. Whatever works for you.

Personally, I venture out at night with my flashlight and pick off the nasty critters from my plants. It is amazing to see the night life in one's garden. I even managed to discover and pick off a grub that was happily munching on my Lamb's ear.

Click here to share your favorite shade plants and while you are sharing, send in your best shade garden images. Gardeners alike are always looking for new annuals or perennials (ideas) for their own shade gardens.

Now back to the shade plant varieties...

Why not plant some Impatiens shade plants. Their blossoms are tiny and delicate but their effect in mass planting is stunning. Waves of reds, oranges, pinks and whites can be striking. Try planting Impatiens underneath a tree in containers. Or plant them in a strawberry container, like I did in the image above.

Then there is the Begonia. Again, the blossoms are small but planting in mass along with their glossy foliage of either bronze or deep green makes a statement! In the image directly above you can see my beach area containers. I planted Dragon Wing Begonia and Coleus. Believe it or not, I have just three plants in the container.

And what about Hostas...their foliage size varies from tiny heart-shaped leaves to huge platter size. While the Hostas do flower, it's the foliage that counts, except for the above Red October Hosta, such a beautiful lavender bloom. Whether the color is lime green, dark green...or the texture is ribbed or quilted...you can't beat a Hosta.

Helping along in the groundcover department is the Ajuga or Bugleweed. Even the spikes of blue flowers in the spring help make this burgundy perennial a winner for the shade garden.

Below are the Shade Plants I planted for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Shade Perennials

Sum and Substance Hosta

Shade Annuals

Shade Garden

Shade Shrubs

These shrubs can also tolerate part sun, so don't be afraid to give them morning or late day sunshine. The Dogwood has a tendancy to pout if given too much hot sun, but revives itself with the day's end. Just give it plenty of water.

Begonia