Shade is often viewed as a deterrent to gardening. Many people are daunted by the idea of growing plants in the shade. This is unfortunate, for while shady areas do present unique considerations, lovely gardens can be created in low light environments. Indeed shade gardens are among my favorite. Of all the gardens I have visited some of the most outstanding have been shady sites.

Shady Benefits
Shade gardens have many special attributes and advances.

• The lower light intensity creates a calm, peaceful atmosphere, a restful place. 
• As the hot sun beats down, toasting the ground and wilting everything in site, a lush green shade garden becomes a paradise, a refuge from the scorching temperatures of a summer day. 
• Shady spots are more enjoyable to work in during the heat of the summer. 
• Depending on the site and plant selection, these sites may require less watering as there is less water evaporated from the radiant heat of the sun. 
• In a shady garden the play of light and shade, ever-changing throughout the day and from season to season, adds to the beauty of the garden.

Choosing plants whose requirements for shade match the amount of light in the garden is important for success. This is often a stumbling block for many gardeners, since shade plants are generally less well known. However, there is also a great variety of plants that prefer and flourish in shady sites. At Ashcombe, our perennial sales are is divided into two areas: Full Sun Perennials and Shade Perennials. Our shade perennial area contains over 300 varieties. The palette of plants is ever increasing as many new varieties have been developed and more are introduced each year.

One of the reasons that perennials for shade are not as well known is that they are often less showy. Flowers are an expense for plants. Leaves take energy from sunlight and convert it into food for the plant to use. Flowering uses this stored energy. With less light there is less energy for flowering. Often plants which grow in the shade produce fewer blossoms and flower for a shorter period of time.

Often foliage plays a larger role in shade gardens. While there are plenty of flowers that can be grown in the shade, foliage plants can be utilized to great effect. Foliage adds color to the garden. Leaves can provide a wide range of shades of green, yellow, blue, purple, red, burgundy, black, cream, white or silver. Variegated leaves may provide 2, 3, or 4 colors all on the same leaf in a wide variety of beautiful patterns. Variegated leaves often have enough impact to draw your attention away from the flowers.

In a shade garden the more subtle beauty of texture and form become important. Foliage can provide a multitude of textures and shapes from large to small, ferny to bold, waxy to woolly, shiny to dull, upright to prostrate, prickly or spiny, corrugated or seersuckered, etc. Mix and match various types of leaves to create interest and texture. Use a variety of contrasting types for maximum effect.

White and silver tones are very important in the shade garden. White will shimmer in a shade garden, brightening up even the darkest corner. Use white flowering perennials and perennials with white or cream variegated foliage. It will uplift and unify a garden bringing the whole planting together.

Add spring color in the shade by planting bulbs and spring flowering woodland perennials under deciduous trees. Areas under deciduous trees and shrubs may be shady in summer but become sunny in winter and early spring when branches are bare. Take advantage of this early season sunlight by planting bulbs and perennials which do most or all of their growing in early spring.

Look for bright spots in the shade. Within a shady area there may be spots which receive more light. Identify these areas and plant flowering shade perennials. 

Types of Shade - Know Your Garden

When selecting plants for our gardens, one of the most important criteria is how much much sunlight does the location receive. It is important to choose plants whose sun/shade needs match that of the intended site.

Sun-loving plants in a location with less than adequate light will produce long, weak stems and leaves. The plant stretches toward the light. Stems will be floppy, plants may require staking. Plants will grow less, be less vigorous. They will utilize stored carbohydrates. They may lose variegation, flower less or eventually die out. 

Shade-loving plants with too much sun may wilt during the hottest part of the day, curl downward and develop brown burned spots. Foliage may undergo color changes from lush green bleaching out to unhealthy yellow colors.

Often I find gardeners may not really know the amount on sunlight a particular area receives. Make a concerted effort to observe the site throughout the day and in different seasons to see how much sunlight it actually receives.

What is a shady site of a sunny site? Full sun is generally considered 6 or more hours of sun after 10:00am. Anything less is part shade to shade. This a 'ballpark' figure. We group plants for either sun or shade, however the division is not always clear cut. Some plants are borderline.

There are many types of shade, with varying degrees of light intensity and duration of light. Plants will vary in their tolerance to each of these patterns. Shade can be broadly classified as follows.

Dapples shade: produced by open trees such as birch: a moving pattern of sunlight and shade across the ground and plants. This is a fairly bright situation, but direct sun on any given area is minimal for any length of time. Hospitable to many sun and shade loving plants.

Open shade: shade created by a northern exposure: a north facing yard for as many feet out as shade is cast by an adjoining wall fence or building. Open shade provides good incident light but no direct sunlight. Fiberglass roofed patios and whitewashed greenhouses under direct sun can also be considered open shade.

Medium shade: Shade found in north facing locations shaded by a structure and by trees. An open shaded situation where light is further obscured by foliage and branches.

Dense shade: This is the deepest shade. Tall wall and fences block all but the narrowest strips of incident light. Plant selection is limited.

My Favorite Perennials for Partial Shade
 

Perennials for Substantial to Deep Shade
 

Sun Perennials Tolerant of Light to Partial Shade
 

Try some of these plants in your low light spots and you will disciver how fun and rewarding shade gardening can be!