Plants for Shady Borders

Gardening in the shade is no different, or any harder, than gardening in sunny areas of the landscape. It only requires more care in choosing plants and more imagination in placing them. Assuming that you already understand the varying levels of shade such as light shade, dappled shade, full shade, etc., choosing plants that are compatible to these light requirements shouldn't be a problem. However, there are also other considerations when selecting plants, such as soil. Yes, even the soil in shady areas can vary from hot, dry shade to cool, moist shade. Nonetheless, once you've carefully considered both light and soil requirements for your shaded area, finding suitable shade-loving plants is easy, especially in the border.

When it comes to foliage plants, don't be afraid to integrate every color of green into your shade border, from bright greens to the darkest olive greens. Light-colored leaves, variegated foliage, or those with cream or white margins illuminate the shade border while medium tones are neutral, easing the transition between contrasting colors. You can use bluish-green foliage to create depth, making small borders appear larger. The dark, olive green foliage can provide a nice backdrop for the lighter, brighter foliage and blooms. Repeat color combinations that you like throughout the shade border. This will unify the space and create a sense of movement. Different leaf textures and forms add interest to the shade border. For instance, placing small, delicate, fern-like foliage next to larger, round-leaved forms create dramatic visual effects in the shade border. Include some dwarf conifers in your shade border. Smaller, upright coniferous forms not only add further interest to the shade border but also height. No shade border could be complete without a hydrangea. This shade-loving shrub can help provide structure to the shade border, as will other shade-loving shrubs like azaleas.

Caladiums dazzle in shade borders with their large, arrow-shaped leaves splashed with shades of green, white, cream, pink, and red. Grouped together, they can make quite a statement. These plants look exceptional paired with other shade lovers like hostas, and astilbe. No plant is more graceful in the shade border than the hosta. Numerous varieties of this foliage plant are widely available in an array of colors, from the lightest of greens to blue, and with nearly any conceivable variegation of green, gold, cream, and white. The soft, colorful plumes of astilbe are great for creating contrast in the shade border. Another charmer for shade borders is flowering tobacco (nicotiana). There are many types to choose from, ranging in size and color. For show-stopping color in the shade border, coral-bells are also a great choice. Coral-bells thrive in part to full shade, forming low mounds of foliage with spikes of delicate, bell-shaped blooms. Hellebores are also ideal for the shade border. Other noteworthy plants for the shade border include ferns, columbine, bleeding heart, forget-me-nots, shade-tolerant iris, fuchsia, impatiens, and a variety of ornamental grasses.

There are endless choices for shade borders, and with just the slightest bit of imagination and the right mix of plants, you can create a show-stopping shade border filled with vibrant colors and unique interest year round.