A great way to keep yourself (and the wildlife!) cool this summer is to build a shade garden. These gardens come in many shapes and sizes, from engineered gazebo-like structures to a variety of trees strategically placed away from the flower beds. The best natural air cleaner of all, trees like oaks remove carbon dioxide from the air and increase the amount of oxygen you breathe. More than trees means you're helping to revive the world.
Shade gardens allow you to grow unexpected or unique plants. For example, the Victorians kept ferns in their shady gardens, creating "ferns" where guests could sit and spend hours next to these exotic garden plants. But don't worry if you don't like ferns and hostas. There are flowers that prefer the shade of things. Read about these and other ways to create your own shade garden.
What is a shade garden?
Simply put, a shade garden doesn't need a lot of sun to thrive. A shade garden is under a group of trees on the corner of your property with very little sun or plants under a canopy or tarp.
Can shady gardens have color?
Yes. Have you noticed the different types of host? The color of these plants varies from light green to dark green. Not only that, but they actually thrive. The feathery flowers of shade-adapted heather come in bright reds and pinks, for example, majestic foxgloves appear in beautiful shades of white or purple, and brilliant hydrangeas vary greatly in color even on the same stem.
How to build your own shade garden
Step 1: Find a shady spot
Shade pools are formed between tall buildings, under tree trunks or on the north side of the house. If neither is available, Samara Toole, senior vice president of TimberTech, suggests building a pergola or canopy. The latter option, she says, "is one of the best outdoor shade options for those who want to enjoy their patio or deck year-round." You can try creating more shade with shrubs and trees like bald oak or cypress, which provide natural habitat for birds and pollinators.
Step 2: Choose plants
Many shade-loving plants such as rhododendron, azalea, hydrangea, redbud and dogwood work in different regions. "This is my favorite hosta for shade, and I personally use it most often in my garden," says Keegan Nesvasil, founder of Woodland Tools Company. Get really big with minimal maintenance. According to Neswasil, one plant that covers most of the growing area is the Appalachian barren strawberry, which grows in Minnesota, Maine and Arkansas to South Carolina. Form a hardy ground cover plant with small yellow flowers.
Experts agree that gardeners should choose the best for their region. "When choosing plants for your garden, remember that each plant family includes many species," says Terry Valenzuela, manager of natural sciences at Sunday, maker of Pure Garden Products. The best plants for your shade garden are selected based on your specific location and climate. "A great resource we refer to at Checkwood is the USDA PLANTS database for establishing provenance and native status," says Peter Grimaldi, vice president of horticulture at Checkwood Estates and Gardens. Or check with your state's local plant society for advice.
Step 3: Plant the garden
Understand the amount of shadow you have. "Shadow comes in different levels," Valenzuela said. Place the most shade-tolerant plants in full shade. Then go out and place less shade-tolerant plants in light shade.
To be more diligent, Grimaldi recommends Compass. Use it to see if areas of your garden face north and east, directions that "usually get less direct sunlight." "This situation is especially relevant for beds near houses and other buildings." Meanwhile, plants that need more sunlight should be planted on the north or east side, the afternoon shade is too much. For plants that need more sunlight, trim some tree tops or green plants to allow the sun to reach those plants.
Step 4: Avoid collecting water
Due to the low temperature and lack of sunlight, the shadier areas will hold moisture. "The maintenance of these plants depends on their individual needs. They are different and prefer cooler and more humid places,” says Valenzuela. Therefore, it is best to avoid excess water. on natural precipitation, she says. - If natural rains are enough, there is no need to water more. Monitor soil moisture and adjust the amount of water required for each type of plant. less water, - warns Grimaldi. - Identify plants that wilt quickly when wet, such as some hydrangeas, which indicate when the plant needs more water.
It first appeared in Architectural Digest.
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