Shade gardens offer cool places to pass the heat of the day and
chances to plant things that would fry in the Georgia sun.
But growing plants in the shade has special challenges. Tree
roots often compete for water and nutrients. So take care,
especially when getting plants established, to provide ample
water for even drought-tolerant plants.
If you’re planting under trees, make sure the trees can tolerate
the soil disturbance and extra moisture they’ll get. Don’t
disturb large roots within 4 feet of the trunk. Planting in
pockets well away from the trunk is best.
Don’t pile a lot of new soil around the trunks or over tree
roots. It only takes a few inches of added soil to kill a
valuable tree that took many generations to develop.
Your Extension Service county agent or an
urban forester can tell you whether your new additions are likely
to harm your trees.
Type of Shade Crucial
Knowing the type of shade you have is crucial to choosing plants
to put under them.
Dense shade is often found underneath low branches of evergreens
such as magnolias. Such a site is often very dry and full of
roots.
Dwarf Himalayan sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var.
humilis) is a champ in a place like that. This hardy, glossy-leaf
plant will spread slowly and offers slightly fragrant flowers in
late winter. For Atlanta and areas south, cast iron plant
(Aspidistra) will work, too.
The somewhat lighter shade of a high wall or widely spaced trees
allows no direct sun, but plenty of reflected light. Many more
plants can be grown here, and the limiting factor may be
moisture, rather than sunlight.
Good Ground Covers
Ground covers such as ivy, ajuga, liriope and mondo grass will do
well in such shade. So will both large- and small-leafed Vinca
vines and lamiums. Hostas and fern foliage can brighten up the
area, too. If the area is damp, golden creeping Jennie
(Lysimachia munnularis ‘Aurea’) will soon cover the
ground.
If the shade is from deciduous trees, daffodils, woodland
wildflowers such as bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and
other spring bloomers are good. They’ll have time to bloom and
develop their foliage before the trees shade the area too
much.
Looking for something different? Variegated Solomon’s seal really
brightens the dark. Italian arum (Arum italicum) produces
interesting, glossy leaves in the fall. The red berries are a
bonus.
Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis), with blooms in the fall,
spreads freely in moist but well-drained shade. So does astilbe,
a spring bloomer.
Annuals for shade
Annuals for shade include impatiens and begonias as well as
Persian shield (Strobilanthes), which has purple and
silver foliage, and caladiums, which have red, pink, white and
green foliage.
Leaf texture can be more important than flowers in the shade
garden. For example, Japanese painted fern and Lamium ‘Beacon
Silver’ are outstanding together. And the wide leaves of hostas
combine beautifully with ferns.
Shrubs for shade include aucuba, mahonia and nandina. Fatsia
japonica is a good choice in south Georgia, while in north
Georgia, Pieris and mountain laurel might be better choices.
Partial Shade
Partial shade can be dappled shade all day long or a period of
sun followed by shade. Up to 5 hours of sun is considered
“partial shade.” The number of hours, and whether it’s morning or
afternoon shade, will dictate which plants will do best.
Many plants that grow in full sun in other parts of the country
will be at their best in partial shade in Georgia. For example,
day lily colors won’t fade as quickly if given afternoon shade,
and foxgloves (Digitalis sp.) are perfect here.
Many annuals will thrive here, too. One that’s often overlooked
is the clown or wishbone flower (Torenia). Shrubs for
partial shade include camellias, hydrangeas and azaleas, staples
of the Southern landscape.
