Gardeners are fun! Those newbie gardeners become so infatuated with the unique foliage textures of shade perennials like Hosta that they moan because they only have full sun in their garden. The coin flips when years later, their trees, shrubs, and perennials have matured and they do not have enough sun to grow petunias. The solution is to landscape a yard for both full sun and partial shade so a gardener gets the best of both worlds.
The shade garden shown in the image above is located in a difficult growing spot, beneath a big pine tree, but by using perennials that grow well in both high mountain gardens and in shady locations, a rich lush garden can be enjoyed.
Notice the variety of shade plants that have created this lovely garden. Looking at the above photo, follow the clock hands around to become acquainted with a few cold-hardy shade perennials. At the 12 o’clock spot is the tall, lovely Thalictrum with its fluffy masses of pink, lavender and white flowers. To the right of theThalictrum is a vintage shade perennial called Turkish Iris or Iris spurium. The foliage on this shade plant is its outstanding trait. It stands straight and tall, better than any annual spike and stays looking perfect an entire season. As with most shade perennials, this Iris is a slow grower and never needs division or deadheading.
Jacob’s Ladder holds the 2:00 spot in this shade garden and its stems of pure blue with white centers is softly inviting. The lovely Lady’s Mantle with its brilliant chartreuse blooms and pleated round petals lights up the shade garden at the 3:00 spot.
Aconitum, a vigorous zone-3 perennial adds its sturdy delphinium-like foliage that adds blue height to the fall garden. White and blue spikes of Salvia along with Soapwort finish a sunnier front part of this elegant planting.
Below is a look at a few other Perennials that perform well in the shade of high mountain gardens. A couple of early-season perennial bloomers are Anemone Sylvestris and Helleborus:
Summer-blooming perennials like Trollius with its bright golden globe flowers give Hosta and Ferns, traditional, non-blooming shade perennials an appearance of being in bloom.
Shade ground covers like any of the Lamiums give a tidy finished look to any shade garden.
Shade gardens with their quiet peace are the easiest areas of gardening for shade plants grow slower and live longer. Plus, sun-loving weeds do not germinate readily, so park a bench in the middle of a shaded garden spot and enjoy!
