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Shade Gardens: Style Suggestions
In recent years, gardeners have come to recognize the benefits and beauty of shade gardens. As a result, we have seen a considerable growth in shade plants and shade flowers that thrive in a shade garden, creating a truly beautiful oasis.
Benefits of Shade Gardens
Shade gardens offer double benefits. First, they don't require hours of sunshine required of traditional flower gardens. Second, they offer an oasis of privacy and cool shelter from the glaring rays of the sun.
Finally, for the environmentally conscious, a well-planned shade garden can reduce energy costs by sheltering your home from extreme temperatures, particularly on hot summer days.
Types of Shade Gardens
Not all shade gardens are in complete darkness. In fact, a shade garden can vary from light shade dappled with sunny spots through to complete shade.
Light shade gardens may have areas that are shaded but still bright. Most gardens have at least some area of light shade, normally because buildings or walls throw a shadow on certain parts of the garden for at least a few hours a day.
Partial shade is considered to be an area of the garden that is in the shade for most of the day. An area of partial shade can be achieved by planting a large perennial shrub or deciduous tree. In this situation, the soil underneath will receive sun only during the early morning or late evening.
Full shade is much more dramatic! This area of the garden receives no direct sunlight at all. However, it is possible to use light walls or water to reflect natural into such areas, if needed.
Garden Designs and Tips for Your Shade Garden
Some shade garden designs arise out of a need to block excessive sunlight, while others simply take advantage of existing natural elements. If you live in an area that is shaded by hills or mountains, for example, you can't do much about the lack of sunlight.
If your goal is to reduce shade in your garden, you can make use of various lightening accessories. Prime examples include water pools, mirrors and brightly painted walls. While these won't greatly help your plants and flowers to grow, they'll certainly make your shade garden appear lighter.
Add organic material to the soil in the shaded are as this improves drainage and helps your shaded plants to flourish. Shade gardens are generally not as dramatically colorful as gardens that receive a large amount of sun. Therefore, you plan to vary the subtle hues of shade plants to accentuate your haven.
Use textures, slight color changes and leaf shapes to full effect. Pyramid plant formats are particularly effective as they draw visitors' eyes and act as a brilliant centerpiece for any shade garden. Similarly, glossy leaves look fantastic in a shade garden and can do wonders to make a shade garden look brighter.
Choosing Shade Plants and Shade Flowers
Obviously, you should select flowers and plants that thrive in the shade. Suggestions for your shaded garden include the following:
- Lettuce, spinach and radishes actually benefit from a degree of shade as strong sunlight can damage these cool season plants.
- Other vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, beans and broccoli grow in light shade; however, they will not produce the same yield as if they were grown in sunlight.
- With an area of partial or medium shade, plant currants and gooseberries as they will still grow well and will add some color to your garden.
- Flowers that thrive in a shade garden with very limited sunlight include sweet woodruff, trout lily, hosta, ferns and English ivy.
- Flowers that prefer the shade but tolerate a reduced amount of sunshine include primrose, viola and toad lily.
Maintaining a Shade Garden
Maintaining a shade garden is a relatively easy task for even a novice gardener. Perennial and deciduous shade trees that offer considerable shade for gardens require little care. However, your flowers and vegetables will benefit if you thin the lower branches, as this will increase the amount of airflow.
Clear away any fallen leaves as these will eventually turn to compost and could reduce the quality of the soil.
Shade gardens, whether you're forced by circumstances or you simply want to create a private sanctuary, are a wonderful addition to any backyard. Simple to design and easy to maintain—what more could you want?
