Most gardeners consider full sun to be six hours or more of direct, uninterrupted sun per day; beyond that, all definitions fail. To some gardeners, three to six hours of sun is "partial sun" and less than three hours of sun is "light shade." What about gardens where plenty of light filters through overhanging branches over a long period of time? Some people call this "dappled shade" and, while such a site is certainly "shady," it may receive enough light to allow some sun-loving plants to thrive. No direct sun means you have deep shade.
For the sake of simplicity for the purposes of this article any garden that does not get full sun will be considered a shade garden. The degree of shade will likely change from spot to spot and season to season. As you work in the shade garden, you'll soon learn what can and can't be successfully grown where. No plant will grow in total darkness, but a great many will grow with only a faint glimmer of natural light. These plants are the ones to choose for the shade garden.
European Wild Ginger is a great
ground cover plant for shade gardens.
Manyshade gardens are naturally cool and moist. They are usually surroundedby deep-rooted trees and copious amounts of natural mulchfrom fallen leaves. Their soils are normally rich, deep, and easy todig. These are the easiest shade spots in which to garden, as shadeplants thrive under such conditions. In such places, plantings can bemade directly into the ground with little special preparation.
Othershade gardens are also cool, but dry rather than moist. These arefilled with shallow-rooted trees and shrubs that soak up every drop ofrain. The soil is often poor and hard-baked, depleted of nutrients bygluttonous roots. These gardens represent quite a challenge for thegardener. Digging is difficult. If you carefully cut away sections ofroot-clogged soil and replace it with good humus-rich earth to nurturea special plant, the invasive roots of nearby trees and shrubs willsoon be back.
Perhaps the greatest disappointment to the new owner of a shady yard is that lawns are difficult to grow. The lawns grow quickly at first, needing frequent mowing, but they are sparse and subject to dieback. These lawns generally require regular overseeding to retain even a semblance of thickness. Some gardeners believe that fertilizing or watering abundantly will help, but to no avail. The only way to get a reasonably healthy lawn in a shady spot is to use lawn seed mixes designed for that purpose. These mixes contain a larger percentage of shade-tolerant grass species than regular lawn grasses. Some of the best lawns for shade are planted with sedges rather than grasses. But even with special lawn seed mixes, results are often mediocre in truly shady spots. Lawns and shade simply do not mix.
It is often because of poor lawns that many people stumble upon the concept of shade gardens. They replace part of the lawn first with one plant, then another, and soon find their yard looking better than ever even though little green grass is left.
If you insist on a low-growing carpet of greenery in a yard where lawns do poorly, consider shade-tolerant ground covers. They make nice, even carpets in various tones of green, and most require little maintenance.
It is sometimes possible, although rare, to increase the amount of light in a shady garden. Painting nearby walls white or using white lawn furniture can dramatically increase the light in the immediate vicinity: White reflects light rather than absorbing it. If overhead foliage is dense, you might be able to remove a few overhanging branches and bring in more dappled sunlight. But new branches will grow back in. There isn't much else you can do to increase the sunlight in the garden. Neither of these methods will create a fully sunny garden, but they can help bring in enough light for you to be able to grow a favorite plant.
Keep reading to learn how to beat roots in a shade garden.
Want more information about shade gardens? Visit these links:
- Garden Types: Explore a variety of wonderful garden types.
- Gardening: We answer all of your general gardening questions in this section.
- Shade Garden Plants: Learn about the plants that thrive in shade gardens.
FAQs
Incorporating shade into your garden has never been easier with the addition of pergolas, canopies, gazebos, and arbours. These shade structure solutions not only provide relief from the sun but also enhance the aesthetics of your outdoor living space.
How do plants survive in shade? ›
Shade-tolerant plants have adapted their photosynthesis to function optimally under low-light conditions. These plants are therefore capable of long-term survival under a canopy shade. In contrast, shade-avoiding plants adapt their growth to perceive maximum sunlight and therefore rapidly dominate gaps in a canopy.
What is the best soil for a shade garden? ›
Shady areas are forested areas where the large canopy of trees provides shade. The earth in these woodland areas is light, airy and full of organic matter from the turn over of organic matter. This is what we want in our shade gardens. Loamy, humus, rich, loose, free draining soil.
How much shade does a garden need? ›
Full sun – Plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Part sun – Plants thrive with between 3 and 6 hours of direct sun per day. Part shade – Plants require between 3 and 6 hours of sun per day, but need protection from intense mid-day sun. Full shade – Plants require less than 3 hours of direct sun per day.
How do I protect my plants from too much sun? ›
Shade cloths are effective tools to protect your plants from too-bright sun and keep the surrounding soil cooler, helping it to better retain moisture. They allow enough airflow and sunlight through to keep your plants happy but without scalding them.
Do tomatoes need shade cloth? ›
Make some shade
Researchers have found that best yields occur with a shade structure that's open to the east (no cloth on that side), so the plants can be bathed in morning sun, but shielded from hot afternoon rays.
What does shade mean in gardening? ›
Full shade is defined as less than four hours of direct sun per day. Notice we didn't say zero hours of direct sun—that would be dense shade which is the darkest of all light levels where few plants can survive. Full shade loving plants enjoy a few hours of sun each day, preferably in the morning.
Can I grow anything in full shade? ›
Our favorite shade-loving plants have striking foliage and bright blooms, both of which add much-needed vibrancy to dim areas. On our list of the shade plants we love, we've included evergreen shrubs like azaleas and boxwoods as well as seasonal bloomers such as begonias and hostas.
How do you landscape a shaded area? ›
Use a mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and annuals to create a layered tapestry that mimics a natural woodland. Use foliage. Rely on plants with interesting foliage such as hostas, Japanese forest grass, spotted lungwort (Pulmonaria), and coleus for long-lasting color throughout the growing season.
Do shade plants need a lot of water? ›
Caring for Shade Garden Plants
Because shade gardens, by nature, shelter plants and soil from drying sun and wind, maintenance requirements differ from sunny gardens. Shady and sheltered areas dry out more slowly, so they typically need less frequent watering.
Among vegetables, leafy greens are the most tolerant of shade, including kale, lettuce, spinach, arugula and chard. Related to both beets and spinach, Swiss chard tastes a little like both and is fairly easy to grow.
Can tomatoes grow in the shade? ›
Any tomato plant will prefer full sun, but the good news for gardeners with shady plots is that there are some tomato varieties that will tolerate a bit of shade. Can you grow a tomato plant in full shade? The answer is… not really. Yes, you can grow a tomato plant, but it will be scraggly and leggy.
What vegetables don't need much sun to grow? ›
Asian Greens, Mustard Greens, & Collard Greens Produce with Just 4 Hours of Sun. Two other greens that will grow large even in shaded areas are mustard greens and collards. They're not as long lasting as kale and Swiss chard, but you'll still get lots and lots of leaves from these gals over a period of several months.
How do I garden with little sunlight? ›
Here are some tips for gardening in a shady area:
- Choose shade-tolerant plants: There are many types of plants that can thrive in partial shade or full shade, such as ferns, hostas, impatiens, and coleus.
- Use containers: If your yard doesn't have enough space for a traditional garden, consider using containers.
Any tomato plant will prefer full sun, but the good news for gardeners with shady plots is that there are some tomato varieties that will tolerate a bit of shade. Can you grow a tomato plant in full shade? The answer is… not really. Yes, you can grow a tomato plant, but it will be scraggly and leggy.
Can cucumbers grow in shade? ›
Vegetables that produce fruits, like tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplant, need all the sun they can get. If you are going to try growing vegetables in shade, remember that they still need plenty of water––and water and shade are perfect conditions for snails and slugs.
Can plants still grow in the shade? ›
The best way to cope is to choose plants that do well in less light. Shade plants often have thin leaves with large surface areas. Thus they are anatomically adapted to be efficient at photosynthesis in low light. Bear in mind that shade plants are most likely to tolerate some sun in the early morning.
