Need ideas for shade garden
by
Melissa
+3
we just moved into our forever home and in the backyard there's already a crescent shaped flower bed. It has three mature trees on one side and the rear is pretty barren. I really want to make it beautiful because it's the focal point of the backyard. I'm looking for ideas and flowers that love the shade because the three trees it's either completely shaded or some minor filtered light. Thanks so much for everyone's help
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Shade perennials...Bleeding hearts,Heucheras,Hostas,Ferns,Astilbes Annuals for shade.....Non-Stop begonia,Caladium,Coleus,Fuchsia,New Guinea Impatients
I would start by driving around my city to look for ideas. If I couldn't identify plants that appeal to me I'd knock on doors to inquire. I'd also inquire if they are deciduous since I would want evergreen plantings. Before I purchased plants I'd find out how fast they grow, how large they will be at full size and what their maintenance needs are. Water needs are also a factor if you have a basement.
Hydrangeas, boxwoods, holly, lillies of the valley, iris are some more ideas. It is a challenge to have a colorful shade garden but a fun one. I studied where there might be a sunbeam & have managed a couple of rose bushes in those spots. Also, Spring flowers can be beautiful because the trees don't have their leaves yet...
I had 17 80' trees in the back yard of my last home. Of course it depends on what planting zone you are in, but I did a lot of annuals (Impatients) every year and then finally I went to perennial plants. Michigan Bulb is an online catalog and offers a variety of "Shade" plants at a reasonable price. I did Lenton Rose, Bleeding Hearts (2 different colors), Delphinium, Dianthus, Day Lilies, Columbine, Primrose, Ferns, Hostas just to name a few. There were also spring flowers like Wind Flowers, Crocus, etc that were very low to the ground but gave a splash of color.
Good Luck and do enjoy your shade gardens.
Hostas! so many great varieties! also i would throw in some elephant ears (an annual) I also love coral bells