Many are under the misconception that in order to create a stunning
and colorful garden; you must have a lot of sunlight. It is possible
to have an amazing garden that is created in the shade. This guide
will give you some tips and ideas of ways to create your own garden
in the shade.
Managing the Environment:
In order to have a successful garden, provide optimal environmental
conditions. Four types of shade help produce the best results.
1. Mottled Shade: This provides the best selection of shade-tolerant
plants. Plants that need only four to five hours of direct sunlight
would fit into this category.
2. Dense Shade: Vast, concentrated coverings, in which no
sunlight seeps through, create this shade.
3. Northern Shade: This shade is created by a northern exposure.
In this case an object, such as a fence with no overhead trees,
blocks the sunlight.
4. Medium Shade: A tree canopy blocks the sunlight from coming
in. Therefore, it is less luminous and your plant selection is condensed.
Maintaining the Soil:
Before beginning your shade garden, test the soil to determine which
nutrients need to be added.
1. Adjust the soil by spreading three inches of peat moss, manure,
and/or compost over the ground, and spade to a depth of at least
nine inches.
2. Mulch the area with three inches of shredded bark. This will
help moderate the soil, especially during the colder months. It
will also help to keep the moisture in.
3. Do not forget to fertilize your plants! Try Fertilome Start-n-Grow.
Sample of Flower Mix Used in Shade Gardens:
Typically you want to use Perennials in a shade garden. These are
easy to grow and can climb anywhere from one to four feet high.
An easy-to-grow mix of annuals and perennials should be carefully
selected to provide season-long color in hard-to-landscape partial
shade beds, borders or the north side of buildings and fences. These
flowers will add a touch of color and fragrance to your shade garden.
· Select a partially shaded location with well-drained soil.
· Cultivate and rake soil
· Spread mix over planting area, and mix with sand for greater
coverage or plant nursery stock
· Rake seeds into a depth of 1/16 of an inch
· Pat soil down and water carefully
· Water when needed and fertilize seeds every four to six
weeks
