Add flowers to your shade garden
Struggling to find flowers for those shady spots? Not to worry. Shade offers the opportunity to grow wonderful plants that not only tolerate a lack of sun but actually prefer it. Large trees and shady areas in your yard can present a challenge to even the most creative gardener. But gardening in the shade doesn't have to be frustrating. There are a variety of shade-loving perennials that tolerate relatively low light, and even thrive in it. So, pump up your shady spaces turn your yard into a beautiful retreat you can enjoy year-round.
Defining types of shade
Sure, hostas and impatiens shine in shade…but there are other bright, colorful blooms you can plant alongside those shade garden favorites! The first step to finding the right shade plants is knowing the light levels in your garden, and garden journaling is a great way to help you track how many hours of sun your garden recieves each day.
If you find that the amount of sun your garden gets varies during the day, plant in a space that gets morning sun and afternoon shade, because early sun is less harsh than midday sun. The warmth of the morning sun will dry up any dew, which cuts down on potential fungus problems. Plus, lots of plants benefit from the cooling effect of shade in the heat of the afternoon — especially in the South and areas of the Midwest. Check out a quick guide to defining shade levels below.
- Part sun = 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight, preferably in the afternoon.
- Part shade = 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight, preferably in the morning.
- Full shade = less than 3 hours of direct sunlight, preferably in the morning. Or heavy dappled shade all day.
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