Shade Garden Design | How to do it right!

Is your shade garden kind of bland? It doesn’t have to be! Shade Gardens can be so gorgeous with the right design. Use these tips to build yourself the best shade garden you can in your space.

How to Design a Shade Garden:

• Create layers of interest. Use a variety of plants with different heights, textures, and colors to create a visually interesting garden. For example, you could plant tall ferns and hostas in the background, with shorter plants like astilbe and heuchera in the foreground.
• Use foliage plants. Many shade-tolerant plants have beautiful foliage that can add interest to your garden even when they’re not in bloom. For example, hostas, ferns, begonias, Darmara and coleus all have colorful and interesting leaves.
• Add some flowers. While foliage plants can provide plenty of visual interest, adding some flowers to your shade garden can really brighten things up. Some good choices for shade flowers include Astilbe, Columbine, Begonia and Trillium!
• Use groundcovers. Groundcovers are a great way to fill in empty spaces in your shade garden and prevent weeds from taking over. Some good choices for shade groundcovers include pachysandra, vinca, creeping jenny and liriope.
• Add some hardscaping. Hardscaping elements like brick pathways, patios, and water features like ponds or fountains can add structure and interest to your shade garden. They can also help to define different areas of your garden and make it more functional.

Read Top Perennials for your shade garden here!

20 Plants that can grow In Shade

Shade gardening doesn’t have to limit your options; there are numerous plants that thrive in low-light conditions.

Here are 20 awesome plants that can grow well in shade:

1. Hostas (Hosta spp.): Known for their attractive foliage, hostas come in various colors and sizes, making them ideal for shaded areas.
2. Ferns (Various species): Many fern varieties, such as maidenhair and ostrich ferns, thrive in shaded, moist environments.
3. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.): With their feathery plumes, astilbes add texture and color to shady garden spots.
4. Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.): Lungwort’s unique spotted leaves and early spring flowers make it a great shade-loving perennial.
5. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis): This perennial produces distinctive heart-shaped flowers in spring and early summer.
6. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.): Valued for their colorful foliage, coral bells come in a range of hues and are well-suited for shade.
7. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra): This ornamental grass thrives in partial to full shade and adds a graceful touch to the garden.
8. Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla): Often called “Siberian Bugloss,” brunnera features heart-shaped leaves and small blue flowers.
9. Toad Lily (Tricyrtis spp.): Toad lilies bloom in late summer and fall, offering unique orchid-like flowers in shaded areas.
10. Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia): With its airy, foam-like flower clusters, foamflower is a charming ground cover for shade.
11. Hellebore (Helleborus spp.): Also known as Lenten Rose, hellebores bloom early in the year and are well-suited for shade.
12. Ajuga (Ajuga reptans): This ground cover produces spikes of blue, pink, or white flowers and thrives in shaded areas.
13. Caladium (Caladium spp.): Valued for their vibrant and colorful foliage, caladiums are ideal for adding a pop of color to shady spots.
14. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis): This fragrant and low-maintenance perennial thrives in shade and spreads quickly.
15. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana): Known for their vibrant flowers, impatiens are classic annuals that do well in shaded gardens.
16. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): Columbines produce unique spurred flowers and are well-suited for partial to full shade.
17. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum): This ground cover is known for its fragrant, star-shaped flowers and lush green foliage.
18. Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum spp.): With its arching stems and bell-shaped flowers, Solomon’s Seal is an elegant choice for shade.
19. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): Tall spikes of tubular flowers characterize foxgloves, making them a striking addition to shaded areas.
20. Vinca (Vinca minor): Also known as periwinkle, vinca is a resilient ground cover with glossy leaves and periwinkle-blue flowers.

When planning a shade garden, consider the specific light conditions in your area and choose plants that are well-suited for partial to full shade. Additionally, providing proper soil amendments and regular watering will help these shade-loving plants thrive in your garden.

Here are some additional tips for designing a shade garden:

• Don’t be afraid to choose plants that are native to your area. These plants will be more likely to thrive in your specific climate and soil conditions and they are just as beautiful as non natives.
• Plant in a location that gets at least some morning sun. This will help to keep the plants from getting too leggy.
• Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
• Water regularly, especially during the first year after planting. Consider setting up drip irrigation to take the watering to the next level.
• Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

With a little planning, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance shade garden that will bring you joy for years to come.

Happy Gardening!

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