Nothing works as well in a shade garden as bamboo to provide an instantaneous effect of lushness, height, and a Zen-like, tropical feel. Bamboo is extremely versatile and can tolerate conditions ranging from full sun to full shade. It also does really well in containers, which keep the roots contained and the plants in check. In this garden, we've softened a monolithic looking black metal wall through the use of a row of bamboo planters, a red Japanese maple, and clustered container plantings in Asian ceramic pots. This rooftop garden is located on Manhattan's Upper West Side near the Hudson River. Read more about this garden on my blog, www.amberfreda.com.