WHERE DO YOU FIND SHADE PLANTS...IN SHADE GARDENS..
Dry Shade Gardens
Dry shade is the classic garden prob- lem situation. Many yards, especially in established neighborhoods, have dry shady areas. When a shady environment is created by shallow-rooted trees there is intense competition for sun and moisture. Do not even try to grow lawn grasses in dry shade; they require both light and adequate moisture. In some cases, the best solution for very dry shade is only a layer of mulch or leaf litter. Even with a planted understory, don't remove all the leaves-they add valuable organic matter and feed the natural soil system.
While most ornamental grasses require full sun, there are a few grasses and grass-like plants that tolerate shade. Crinkled hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa) and botdebrush grass (Elymus hystrix) are two grasses that tolerate varying degrees of shade and dry soil. Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) is an excellent ground cover that tolerates very shady, dry sites and will even tolerate periodic mowll1g.
While most ferns require moist soil, there are a few ferns that will do well in dry shade. Eastern hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) is so tough that it might become a garden thug under better garden conditions. Interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana) and Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) both tol- erate dry conditions. Large masses of Christmas fern are often found growing on well-drained forest slopes. Two shade- loving asters, heart-leaf aster
(Symphyotrichum cordifolium) and white wood aster (Eurybia divaricatus) thrive in dry shade. Just like the hay-scented fern, beware of wood aster and its ability to take over your garden under good condi- tions. Hyssop-leaved thoroughwort (Eupatorium hyssopifolium), tall white beard-tongue (Penstemon digitalis) Bowman's root (GiLLenia trifoliata), wild ginger (Asarum canadensei, woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata), large flowered merrybells (Uvularia grandiflora), hairy alumroot tHeuchera uillosa), golden ragwort (Senecio aureus), yellow trillium (Trillium luteum), Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans), and bluestem gold- enrod (Solidago caesia) will all tolerate dry conditions and partial shade. Some non- natives are great performers in dry shade, such as barrenwort iEpimedium sp.), Hakone grass (HakonechLoa macra 'Aureola'), and Lenten rose iHellcborus orientalis). Virginia creeper iParthenocissus quinque folia) is a vine that tolerates dry shade and will sprawl across the ground making a perfectly acceptable groundcov- er. Our native pachysandra-Allegheny pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbensi is another great dry shade ground cover.
It is harder to find shrubs that toler ate dry shade. Pinxterbloorn azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) is a WOll derful deciduous azalea with fragrant, white to pale pink flowers that is a must for the dry shade garden. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) thrive in dry shade. If you want evergreen foliage in your dry shade garden, try Piedmont rhododendron (RhododendrolJ minus).
PLANTS FOR FULL, PART, OR SEMI SHADE HABITATS
With so many different plants to choose from one might feel overwhelmed in making the decision of what to grow. In such a case, knowing your gardens enviorment,will help you narrow down your choices.
Shade is a common complaint of most homeowners.There are many manageable choices of perennials, to choose from, which will grow successfully in, or actually prefer, shade conditions. Some of the more well knownstandbys are astilbe, hosta, and fern, the latter two being grownprimarily for their luxuriant and often showy foliage.
Evenin the cold of the seemingly endless winter, early perennials are beginning to stir under the frigid soil. Come March it’s these leaves and flowers which renew our hopes that, yes, spring is indeed on theway.
Perennials provide interest for more than the early flowerspotters, however. There are perennials for any time, throughout thegrowing season, when you may want a flower display, and their color,size, and flower types vary tremendously. Now is a good time to start thinking about adding a few to your garden, particularly if you plan to order them from one of the many mail order sources.
Some considerations for planting your shade garden should include,know your soil pH, Botanical (spieces)name of your plant,flowering time, light and water requirements, mature size,companions,insect and disease tolerances pruning and dividing. A number of other choices, which will flourish in semi-shade,shade,heavy shade,part shade are briefly described below and include; bulbs, Biennial, annual,climbers,tree,perennial, ground cover, evergreen, shrubs and dwarf varieties.
