POSTED BY KIM — Tina gave a great talk about shade gardening last night. (SHAMELESS PLUG — new evening hours! Open until 7:30 every night but Sunday!)
Here’s a summary of her handout, for anyone who missed it:
o Gardening under trees is possible if the soil is amended; leaves are collected, shredded and re-applied; trees are trimmed (CAUTIOUSLY); and if we choose plants wisely.
o Trees offer shade, provide protection from noise, offer privacy, and enhance the value of your property. Unfortunately, too many trees can be problem children — the wrong type of tree for a small yard; trees too close to the house; and aggressive, shallow roots that interfere with the yard, walk, or driveway. (Gardeners hate shallow roots!)
o Dogwood trees and Japanese Maples have shallow roots. If you want to plant under them, plant outside of the drip line. The drip line is the circle the tips of the branches make when water is dripping. Do not plant directly under dogwoods — you will add to their demise.
o Always amend the soil when planting. Be careful not to suffocate roots. Pocket amend where possible. Rototilling can be dangerous to delicate feeder roots.
o In the forest, no one is raking leaves and hauling them to the curb. We are interrupting the natural, nutritional cycle of the tree. Rake, collect, shred, and re-apply the leaf material to the shade bed. Shredded leaf material is the shade gardener’s best friend.
o Do you have part shade, part sun, or full shade? Possibly even dappled shade? Morning sun with shade in the afternoon is the most ideal for plants. Few plants will grow in deep shade and dry soil. Mulch!
o Trimming tree branches — best to be done carefully or with a very good tree service. You really do get what you pay for! Trees may be thinned, lower branches may be removed, and dead wood should be removed. All are good techniques to open up the tree canopy and let the sun shine in.
o When designing, consider different plant forms — upright, mounded, spreading, weeping, and fountain are all good contrasting shapes. Different textures when placed next to each other may offer good contrast. Large, round hosta leaves with Hakeonechloa Japanese Forest Grass (2009 Perennial Plant of the Year!) spilling out from under offers a wonderful contast. In the shade, foliage is our friend! Also, different shades of green and purple complementing one another are delightful when flowers are absent.
o Consider adding bird baths, statues, sculptures, gazing balls, and colorful pots create interest and whimsy in the shade garden. Gardeners may also use this opportunity to create paths, dry stream beds, or attractive stone walls.
o Have fun with it — get creative — try new things!
