Shade Garden Plan
Posted By: Garden Planner
Those who have a shady area in their garden have no cause for alarm. The majority of gardens also have shady areas, maybe through fencing, brick wall or a large tree, either in your own garden or the next door neighbor’s garden. Don’t worry, you can still create a beautiful area.
The most important thing to consider before tackling this area is would you like it as a peaceful little haven to retreat to on a summer’s afternoon or evening, with a nice glass of wine, accompanied by a great book to read? Or are you considering making it a focal point with shrubs or flowers?
To create a shade garden plan is to sit down with a notebook and pencil, and focus on the shaded area. Try a few little sketches as to how you would like it to be, and remember, when planning, personal choice has to be considered. Are you busy at the office all day or semi-retired? These can make a huge difference time wise. Where you live and the climate you live in has to be considered as well.
It is true to say that many of those with green thumbs who, with their own imagination and hard work have created a fantastic garden, beautiful lawn and great flower beds, hanging baskets in glorious color, when it comes to a small shady corner, hands are thrown up in despair. This need not happen. With careful thought and imagination, a shade garden plan can be simple.
One important thing to keep in mind as you are planning your shade garden is that you may want to choose a plant with light colored foliage or flowers. This will give off a visual punch of light and make the area more visible and brighter.
The first thing to do before you decide to plant your shade garden is what type of shade are you working in; full or semi-shade. This can make a difference in what type of plants to choose. Are you against the side of the house or under a tree, is the area damp all the time or is there good drainage. These are important factors to consider as soil temperature and moisture are equally important as shade and sun.
Something else to consider when planning your shade garden is to add some plants that do not flower. Ferns, ivy (Hostas) are all easy to grow and are wonderful shade loving plants that do not flower. They do have beautiful color variations on interesting textured leaves. Try using these plants interspersed among your other plants to create a beautiful eye-catching corner.
Your shade garden plan, following some of these ideas, will give you the confidence to experiment further with your planting. If the shaded area where you are planting has a wall or fence that you would like to hide or disguise, why not consider a shrub. A gorgeous shrub that has beautiful flower clusters is the oak leaf hydrangea, ideal as they can grow right against a fence or wall quite easily with no problem.
Plants that adapt well to shade are Astilbe and Begonias. These two flowers are relatively common in flower gardens and adapt well to shade. There are so many plants and shrubs to choose from. Ask at your local garden center of the many varieties and which are appropriate for a shaded area. Most centers are more than happy to help. If your shady area is damp, keep an eye open for signs of any rot and fungus in your plants. This can be treated but is more effective if treated early. Remember, a shade garden plan is simple and easy.