Header image credit: Texas A&M University Engineering
14.06.2024 - 22:45 / southernliving.com / Lauren David
Have a shaded area in your garden and want to add more color, dimension, and texture? Grow perennials that thrive in the shade. Many perennials need an abundance of sunlight but there are plenty of plants that prefer partial or full shade. Shade perennials add vibrancy to your yard and many attract pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and birds, too.
Deciding on the best shade perennials for your landscape and garden can turn into a long list so consider bloom times. Pick varieties that flower at different times of the year, instead of focusing on a season or two. «Select plants that bloom at different times throughout the season or offer evergreen foliage that transforms in fall or winter to ensure year-round interest,» says Linda Vater, plant expert forSouthern Living Plant Collection.
Think about what each perennial plant care needs are, including soil, water, and light before you plant. «A little layer of 1-2” of finished compost as mulch in the shade garden is a good way to enrich the soil and feed the microbes,» says Lisa Mason Ziegler, author ofThe Cut Flower Handbook.
Check the soil for moisture, too, to give you a sign if your plants are thirsty. «Regular watering, especially during dry periods, is crucial for establishing and maintaining healthy shade perennials,» says Laura Root, a horticulturist for Jackson & Perkins.
Space out your plants so they have ample room to grow upwards and have space for their roots to spread out below. «Tree roots are always competing with
Header image credit: Texas A&M University Engineering
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