Help with new shade garden - plant ideas

[tam]

[color=#] [/color]

Hi. I'm new at gardening, so I'm not totally sure what I'm doing. I bought a house 2 years ago and there is one corner of my backyard which does not get much sun due to a few very large maple trees and evergreens. I tried growing grass there, but once the leaves appear on the maples, the grass dies. So this year, I want to start turning the corner into a sitting area/shade garden. I would appreciate any recommendations for plants. I'm thinking about using ferns, impatiens, hostas, astilbes, coleus, etc. I'll probably plant some azaleas and rhodis in the back.

My main concern is that once winter arrives and before summer starts, my shade garden will be too barren (except the azaleas and rhodis). I can plant spring bulbs like tulips, daffodis and such to liven it up in the early spring, but what else can I do for the winter (Zone 6)? The amount of shade varies greatly (from sun when the maples are leafless to medium-heavy shade in the summer).

Thanks!
Tam

[Newt]

Hi Tam,

Sounds like you have some great ideas for plants already. I'm thinking that you may experience problems with the area being dry due to the tree roots. Maples have very large and extensive roots that tend to surface. Take a look here to understand where the tree roots are and how they grow.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG089
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WO017
http://www.mortonarb.org/research/treeroots.html
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.asp

There are some evergreen groundcovers you can plant for winter interest. The biggest problem you are going to have is the tree roots taking the moisture. A few clumps of evergreen lirope should do well. It comes in all green and variegaged types. They should be cut to the ground in late winter/early spring. Click on the pics.
http://classygroundcovers.com/cat--L...IRIOPE-muscari

Ophiopogon - mondo grass is a much smaller clumping evergreen groundcover that looks like short clumps of grass. It usually doesn't need to be pruned to the ground and comes in green, variegated and a black color that looks nice against lighter greens and a dusting of snow. Click in the pics.
http://classygroundcovers.com/cat--O...ss--OPHIOPOGON

Vinca minor - periwinkle is another evergreen groundcover that can deal with the dryer conditions. Click on the pics.
http://classygroundcovers.com/cat--V...e--VINCA-minor

If you have a damp spot in the shade bergenia is an evergreen clumping plant that would do well. They can deal with some dry conditions but won't grow as vigoriously.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/bergenia.html

Newt

[elanor]

Hi Tam,

You stole my very first question! I'm in zone 5a. I live in the woods where I only get a very little bit of sun. I have found that ivy does well, as does vinca. If you plant some spring bilbs such as daffodil and narcissus, that cheers things up alot. I also plant begonias (the green leaf kind show up better than the dark-leaf sort) and then I put bright impatiens in pots along with coleus.

I've tried both azaleas and rhododendrons, but neither seem to do well, and neither do hydrangeas. I think all these need alot of water, but the light level is, I'm sure, a factor. One thing I've seen done with alot of success is hosta gardens-- these can be quite lovely if you vary the leaf shape, the size of the plant and the color. I do alot of hosta, and ground cover, and then I just use pots of flowers good for shade here and there for color. Think about a birdbath too, or a little fountain.

Good luck with your shady garden. I like mine, but wish it had a bit more sun. I miss my tomatoes!