Problem Solved: Plants and flowers for shade gardens

Is most of your property is in shade? Are you frustrated because you can’t get anything else to grow? Are your beautiful big shade trees that look so wonderful in the summer starting to feel like a curse? You want a solution, right? Your answer is to discover which plants and flowers will thrive in the environment referred to as “shade gardens”. Finding the right flowers for shade gardens is easier than you might think.

Problem #1
One of the biggest problems when trying to grow plants under trees is that large trees often absorb much of the nutrients and moisture contained in the surrounding soil.

Because of this, you should feed and water individual plants within these locations on a regular basis.

It is also highly recommended to remove fallen leaves and debris to avoid the suffocation of plants. Additionally, don’t allow snow to accumulate on shrubs and small plants as it will weaken the plants and cause damage.

Problem #2
Many plants and flowers require sunny locations. If you choose one of these plants for your shady location, you will not be happy with the results.

The following is a partial listing of plants that thrive in full shade. Perennials that will successfully grow in full shade are

monkshood
lily-of-the-valley
bleeding heart
shooting star
hosta
dwarf forget-me-not
bluebell
and various ferns

Ground cover in fully shaded areas can enhance surrounding flowers and shrubs. Some you may want to consider are:

wild ginger
periwinkle
lungwort
bunchberry
kenilworth ivy
ground ivy
creeping buttercup

Recommended Partial shade annuals include:sweet alyssum, snapdragon, wax begonia, basketflower, coleus, Chinese forget-me-not, flowering tobacco, and clarkia.

Some perennial plants for partial shade are

columbine
periwinkle
cyclamen
day lily
false spirea
foxglove
butterfly lily
dropmore

Here is a short list of shrubbery that will prosper in partially to fully shaded locations:

azaleas
snowhill hydrangea
honeysuckle
rhododendrons
burning bush
weeping forsythia
flowering dogwood
bayberry
oak leaf hydrangea
mountain laurel

Check the plant hardiness zone map for your particular location before planting these recommended shrubs, ground cover, and flowers for shade gardens. This will also provide valuable information on when to plant. You can also check with your local garden center to see if a particular plant will grow well in your area.

Enjoy the shade and the beauty it offers by planting plants you know will thrive in it!