Software
Houzz Logo Print
jax_hopkins

Shade garden design help

4 years ago

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to turn this blank slate of a bed into something beautiful. I’m open to all sorts of suggestsjons. Below I’m list necessary info/ my current ideas.:
——————-
Zone: 7B
Exposure: “Full Shade”
Soil Type: Fine Sandy Loam, moderately dry area.

——————-
As you can see, all I really have is a gardenia that’s recently been majorly hacked due to winter damage from a record snow storm.
Current ideas:
-thinking of using the gardenia, 2 varieties of Fatsia, and a gold dust Aucuba as the foundation/ backing.
-for the mid/foreground: Multi colors of Heuchera, many hosta varieties to fill the area in summer-fall. Hellebores for an evergreen grouping, everillo sedge
-to left of pavers: grouping of everillo sedge with a mass of autumn fern behind
-below bay window: mass of cast iron plant

Any and all help appreciated!

Comments (12)

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Add more flowers. Bugbane and goatsbeard are options. Tiarella is

  • 4 years ago

    Could you construct a wooden lattice box to screen the utilities? I'd use white impatiens for your flowers. Also add white daffodils.

  • 4 years ago

    I’m not really into flowers much as far as shade garden goes. My original vision was a bed with such interest foliage shape and color that they would not be needed

  • 4 years ago

    Those sound like good plant choices. If you are able to do the hostas ( No deer!) then you have opportunity to use some interesting “color”combinations , such as some varieties with dark green & lime green combination leaves next to the Autumn fern or Everillo, & linking to the darker green hellebore. In addition, can try some of the bigger hostas. I can’t do as many hostas because, Deer, but when I have or can, if in areas of deciduous tree leaf fall, I think of the hostas as providing some useful raking or blowing or chore “ pathways” or since they die back in fall. Or I may site a flat stepping stone or 2 amongst them so I can work around plants.

    I get not wanting to do much flowers, especially digging in annuals. The hellebores will bloom for welcome late winter cheer. You could also consider some epimediums- I only have one variety now but enjoyed their spring flowers- i wish to get more because I have some challenging areas.
    If any area gets a bit of sun you might try an azalea or camellia, but azaleas in particular would need amended soil & more water, whereas your plant selections are pretty tough.

  • 4 years ago

    Oh- and Brunnera. Lovely near pathway edge where you might wander at dusk.

  • 4 years ago

    The other thing you can do if there are any level spots, is to have some things in containers. The usual suspects are to do annuals that way but I grow a lot of hostas in large pots and though of course they need more watering than in- ground plants, it’s a way to alter heights, or “ decorate” & try things out.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Here are a few suggestions:


  • 4 years ago

    Also look at lamiums (e.g., "White Nancy ") and bigroot geraniums (e.g., "Bevan's Variety"), both of which are groundcovers with flowers and interesting leaves.

  • 4 years ago

    I love shade gardens and am totally with you on no flowers. It is just wonderful to take in the shades, shapes, and texture of the folliage. The plants you listed sound great, though many are rather ground hugging or low. I'd bring in some slightly higher plants too that have a sense of movement -


    How about some solomon's seal? I love their tall graceful stems and the movement they bring.


    I'm also quite a fan of bleeding hearts - not as much for the flowers, which are cool but ephemeral, but I love the branch structure and leaves on bleeding hearts. I'm in 7-A/B-ish and mine stayed green until September.


    I do so love a great fern too. They come in so many shades and sizes.


    I'm not a huge acuba fan and turn instead of laurels as foundation shrubs.

  • 4 years ago

    All good suggestions, but don't forget Japanese Painted Fern ;)


  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Here are two inspiring photos.


    Fermanagh Garden · More Info



    Projects · More Info


Sponsored
Wannemacher Interiors
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars26 Reviews
Customized Award-Winning Interior Design Solutions in Franklin Cnty OH