People who have large, sunny yards are certainly at an advantage when it comes to growing plants and flowers. However, there are plants that will do quite well and sun, and some that prefer more shade. Before selecting plants, it’s best to understand the factors involved in shaded locations. A primary consideration when choosing plants is the amount of actual sunlight available. Densely shaded areas present more of a challenge than areas that are in partial or light shade. Usually, shade comes from other plants, often trees, whose roots compete for available moisture. These larger plants also compete for nutrients in the soil. What’s a gardener to do? First, choose plants that are more likely to work in the location. In a heavily shaded location, groundcovers such as lily of the valley, periwinkle, wild violets or ginger do well. Hostas, ferns and daylilies are perennials that also do well. There are any number of woodland flowers – trillium, Virginia bluebells, lungwort, jack-in-the-pulpit, to name a few – that will also thrive. In medium shade, with no direct sunlight, try bleeding heart; foxglove; lady; maidenhair or ostrich fern; columbine; spiderwort or astilbe as perennials, and all of the aforementioned groundcovers plus ajuga. In light shade, whether there is bright, or no direct light add coral bells, delphiniums, cranesbill geranium, monarda, bell flower, spurge and balloon flower. Planting bulbs such as crocus, daffodils, grape hyacinths, snowdrops or some tulips that bloom in early spring before trees leaf out and provide a shady canopy works well. The bulb areas can then be “overplanted” with shade-tolerant summer annuals-lobelia, impatiens, coleus, browallia, vinca and dwarf salvia are a few more popular choices. The competition for moisture issue can be addressed by regular watering of the area, even when it seems like there has been adequate rainfall for the rest of the yard and garden. Moisture will be better maintained, and fertility enhanced, by adding compost, rotted manure, and other mulches to the shade garden. Applying a balanced fertilizer in spring, along with another couple of applications during the growing season also provides shade plants a needed boost of nutrients. For questions about shade garden or other gardening concerns, contact the U of M Extension Office, Meeker County, at (877) 993-5275.
