Made in the shade

Many people mistakenly think that if they have a large area of shade, their options for planting materials are severely limited.  They couldn't be more wrong.  In fact, some of the most beautiful and unusual plants prefer the shade; most people are amazed at their range of choices.

With a little creativity, even the shadiest area can be transformed into a cool summer paradise.   Take advantage of the coolness shade provides by creating a sitting area where you can relax and enjoy a summer day, with a refreshing drink.  Surround the area with a variety of plants that will take you through all seasons and make the spot into a magical shady retreat.

Add texture and visual interest by placing boulders and stone strategically and allowing moss to grow on them.  Encourage moss growth between stone pavers by blending moss and buttermilk in your blender and then pouring the mixture between the stones.  The moss will give your area an old look like it's been there for a hundred years instead of a few months.

Some great choices for shade gardens include (but at not limited to):

Cephalotaxus - This evergreen shrub comes in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, from rounded dwarf shrubs, to urn shaped, to tall slender shrubs that are similar in shape to a Pencil Holly.  These shrubs are flexible, however and can tolerate anything from full sun to deep shade.

Toad Lilies - If you have a very deeply shaded area that seems to always stay moist, these flowers are ideal.  They grow on long slender stalks and are topped with dramatic pale purple spotted flowers.

Hostas - This is a very versatile perennial that can tolerate anything from partial sun to full shade.  They come in a wide variety of colors from the almost blue Wide Brims to the vivid green Stained Glass.  They also get a pale lavender bloom on them, once a year.

Columbine - The Columbine is Colorado's state flower and it's a startlingly beautiful option.  The plants are small and delicate, but the flowers are dazzling.  They come in a variety of shades from crimson to purple to white and are attractive to butterflies and moths.

Some cultivars of Japanese Maples - These would be a lovely addition to any light dappled area in your yard.  In Japan, they are considered understory trees and often grow under larger trees.

Heuchera - These plants come in an amazing array of colors: lime green, rose gold, purple, plum, nearly black...and each year new cultivars are discovered and developed.  The leaves are large and heartshaped and once a year they send up tall bloom stalks that somewhat resemble hosta blooms.

 

Ferns - Contrary to the notion that "a fern is a fern is a fern", ferns can be an exciting addition to a shade garden and contribute more than just a fluffy green backdrop.  Japanese Painted ferns are a cool mint color, with purple veins, while Autumn Ferns are lovely golden tones.

Camellias - While the older varieties of Camellias tend to be huge (sometimes in excess of 15' tall), some of the newer cultivars are smaller.  An especially exciting cultivar of Camellia is the Yuletide Camellia and it blooms right around November or December.  It provides a refreshing splash of color when the rest of the plant world is dormant.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas (which are in the Rhododendron family) - These evergreens come in any variety of white, pink, purple, and red.  New colors are constantly being introduced in both groups and Encore Azaleas bloom twice a year.

Daphne - Known for their intoxicating fragrance, these shrubs do well in moderately shaded areas and provide an early spring show, before almost anything else is blooming.

Hydrangea - Hydrangeas have come a long way since your grandma's day.  Instead of just pink or blue, they now come in a range of colors and shapes including the Lime Light, a tall, leggy shrub, with round, white blooms, Lady in Red, which features red blooms, and stems, and Lacecaps, which feature discs of tiny blooms surrounded by a circle of large blooms (giving them the appearance of...lace caps!)

Dogwood - Once upon a time the most common Dogwoods were white or maybe pale pink, but no longer.  Dogwoods can also come in shades of red, green, or deep pink. Kousa dogwoods are fun as well, for not only do they thrive in light shade, but grow tasty sweet, fruits.  The fruits themselves are of visual interest; they're deep pink, spherical, and bumpy.