Wanted: Shady Characters

By Judy Alleruzzo, Al's Perennial Buyer

Looking for a few ideas to help fill that shady spot in your garden? Shady areas in your garden are a great opportunity to grow plants that thrive in dark, cool conditions. Why should sunny sites have all the pizzazz and color? There are some beautiful perennials that shine in the shade. With some planning, your shady areas can become cool, colorful retreats in your garden.

To make your shady areas stunning, keep a few things in mind when you choose plants and prepare the soil. Be aware of what is causing the shade; if it’s a giant tree, the perennials you plant below it might have to compete for water, light, and nutrients. Help these plants by mimicking nature, adding compost with lots of organic matter to these shady areas. The compost or mulch will help your soil and your plants retain moisture. Don’t overwater your plants in the shade. Be sure to let your plants dry out slightly between waterings.

If you are looking to brighten up a shady spot, pick plants that have shades of gold. These plants will reflect light, creating contrast with the deep shades of green typically found in a shade garden. Golden plants can brighten any shady area, creating focus, accent and rhythm for the eye.

To create a cool, tranquil feeling, choose plants in tones of blue. Blue plants blend well in the shade and provide a backdrop for brighter colored plants. Many blue plants have silver undertones that add a cool, crispness to the shade garden. Blue and silver toned plants have incredible textures and graceful foliage that add interest and depth to a shade garden.

These are some of our favorite shady characters, perennials that thrive in the shade to help make your shade gardens multihued, cool, and interesting.