Ideas for Landscaping in the Shade

If you have lots of trees on your property, then you may be wondering how to best design the landscape. There are plenty of ideas for landscaping in the shade that can make your shady space as beautiful and efficient as possible. While there are certainly some drawbacks, there are also many benefits to shady areas. These areas are often more private because of the trees. Also, they are more comfortable in the summer. After all, would you rather sit in the sweltering heat or the gentle shade? A shady area doesn't have to be sparse, either. There are plenty of gorgeous plants and flowers that love the shade.

One of the biggest challenges facing gardeners is that trees often sap nutrients from the flowers and plants. Therefore, it is important to use nutrient rich soil and make sure your plants and flowers are getting the supplementation they require. You may find that the soil itself is dry and hard to plant. If so, a layer of organic compost can make a vast improvement. Then you'll want to add your potting soil. Many gardeners also like a layer of mulch over top the soil after they've planted their flowers.

When choosing plants and flowers, there is more to consider than just whether or not they like the shade. You will want to look at the sizes and colors of various plants and think about how they will look next to one another. Because a shady garden is automatically going to be darker than a garden situated in the sun, go for a mix of green foliage and light and/or bright colors. White flowers can make a big improvement in a dark, shady area. You will find a variety of beautiful choices for your shade garden. Examples of popular plants include Hosta, Iris and Hydrangea.

If you need more ideas for landscaping in the shade, there's nothing better than a full-color book filled with information and examples. Check out the following titles: Making the Most of Shade: How to Plan, Plant, and Grow a Fabulous Garden that Lightens up the Shadows by Larry Hodgson, The Natural Shade Garden by Ken Druse and Gardening in the Shade by Horticulture Magazine. These represent only a few titles on library and bookstore shelves today dedicated to gardening and landscaping in shady areas.

Copyright 2007 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved



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