Planting a Garden in the Shade

It is possible to brighten up those shady spots in your landscape. It is all about proper plant selection, planting and care.

Start by evaluating the sun and shade patterns in your gardens. Monitor the amount of sunlight different areas receive throughout the day and at various times of the year. You may be surprised the space gets more sunlight than you thought.

Make a list of plants you have successfully grown and those that failed in the shady location you are landscaping. Use this information to help you select other plants with similar light requirements. 

As always, select plants that thrive in your climate and tolerate the amount of sunlight, moisture, and soil in the proposed garden location. Look for plants that provide attractive foliage all season long and flowers at various times.

When planting under or near trees be careful not to kill the tree when creating your shade garden.  Plant a foot or more away from the tree trunk and don’t cut or remove surface roots that create entryways for insects and diseases. Dig as small as possible planting holes to avoid disturbing the roots and for easy planting. Avoid adding soil over the tree roots and against the trunk as this can lead to tree decline and even death. Skip deep cultivation that damages the roots, the majority of which grow within the top 18 inches of soil with 50% of them in the top six inches.

Add seasonal color and vertical interest with shade-tolerant annuals like impatiens, begonias, and coleus. Avoid damaging the tree roots by planting these in containers and setting the pots on the soil surface amongst perennial shade-tolerant groundcovers or on mulched beds under the trees.

Once you’ve planted your garden, adjust the care to compensate for the limited light conditions. Plants growing under large trees or overhangs must be watered more often, especially during the first year or two until the plants become established. The dense canopy of many trees and impervious overhangs prevent rainfall from reaching the ground below. Plus, the extensive root systems of trees and shrubs absorb much of the rainfall that does make it through, so check soil moisture several times a week and water thoroughly as needed.

Spread a layer of organic mulch over the soil surface and away from the tree trunk and crowns of the plants. Organic mulches help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve the soil as they decompose.

Tree and shrub roots also compete with plantings for nutrients. Use a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer that promotes balanced above- and below-ground growth. Apply it at planting and early each spring as needed.

Avoid high nitrogen, quick-release fertilizer that promotes lush succulent growth that is more susceptible to insects and diseases. Plus, limited light is a potential plant stressor that can further increase the risk of problems. 

Sometimes there is just too much shade to grow even shade-loving plants. Consider mulching the area to suppress weeds, support the tree’s health and protect the soil. Then relax and enjoy the shade on hot sunny days.

Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, Revised Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.