{"id":2922,"date":"2024-05-05T17:35:26","date_gmt":"2024-05-05T21:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fromh2h.com\/?p=2922"},"modified":"2024-11-23T01:14:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-23T06:14:56","slug":"maintaining-an-established-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/maintaining-an-established-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Tips For Maintaining a Stunning Shade Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As your garden grows, you will find that you have more shade than sun in areas under trees and bushes. Or maybe you’ve bought a new house that already had an established garden. In either case, shade gardening is now a part of your life. Find out how to make the most of it with our tips for maintaining a shade garden.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"15<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As your garden matures you will find that you have more shade than sun in areas under trees and large bushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it may seem a bit daunting at first (there used to be so much sun!!), it is really where you can express your personality and individuality by adding some layers to your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are my tips to help you to maintain your shade garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 | Limb up large bushes<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Limb up the bushes and cut out the new bottom growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do this in the spring so that the larger bushes, like French lilac, are encouraged to have top bloom, leaving the base area free for smaller shade bushes<\/a> and perennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 | Assess the light<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Flagstone<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Assess the area for hours of sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I look at the garden from all directions with light in mind before I make my plant list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make notes on how much of the area is in shade and how much in sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 | Put plants in the right locations<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Ferns<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Use this information to choose the right shade, or part shade plant for the location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding the right plant for the right location helps make maintaining the garden much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under a canopy such as Japanese maple you will probably want to put ferns and hostas (or other shade-loving perennials<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you may find that columbines will do better on the periphery where there is more light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 | Discourage weeds<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Densely<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Use dense planting to discourage weeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am a plant junky who feels compelled to try new plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means I am always looking for a few inches of bare soil to place new acquisitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I reap big rewards with less weeding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 | Repeat the plants<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Japanese<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Remember, if one plant is good, three is better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having the same plant and color echoed throughout the garden adds continuity and avoids a hodge-podge look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this picture the repeated color and texture of Japanese Maples draws your eye down the path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beautiful Japanese tree peony<\/a> with the huge purple blooms helps, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 | Avoid invasive plants<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Forget-me-nots<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Avoid using invasive plants<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have made the mistake of planting periwinkle for its lovely blue flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now it has spread everywhere and chokes out everything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also have an ever-expanding patch of Lily of the Valley that started in my neighbor\u2019s yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both these plants like shade and are hard to get rid of once established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, it is better to have some Forget-me-nots, an old perennial that self seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its lovely blue flowers are charming and the plant is easy to pull out if it is in your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 | Amend the soil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amend the soil with triple mix when you plant a new plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also add triple-mix and compost around the existing bushes and plants at least once every two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 | Vary plant heights<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Peonies<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Incorporate height variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally the shorter plants are in front but I try to avoid having all the plants at one level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add some shorter ones behind the taller ones to create some curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 | Consider foliage as well as flowers<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Ferns<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Consider foliage shape and color as well as flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japanese maples<\/a> are a favorite of mine for their different leaf shapes and variety of colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also love plants with blue foliage which add a calming feel to the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Chardonnay<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

To punch it up a notch I add Pieris Formosa for its red bronze leaves, or Chardonnay Pearls Deutzia with its yellow leaves and white flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They practically glow in the shade!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 | Add year round interest<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Three<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Think in terms of year round interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I plant perennials and shrubs that will have a succession of blooms or changing leaf color throughout the growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I rely heavily on evergreens for the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhododendrons<\/a>, false cypress, and yews are staples in my garden, along with Hoopsii and Montgomery spruce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the spring, daffodils and tulips are finished blooming by the time the deciduous leaves of companion perennials<\/a> unfold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because my yard is small and space is precious, I often dual plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bulbs, trilliums, and fern leaf peonies are planted between evergreens. So when their leaves disappear by mid July, the space is still filled. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Fall<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Then the fall anemones<\/a> which are planted close by add color to the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 | “Candle” evergreens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Candle” evergreens in late spring when new growth has started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do this, cut off at least half of the new growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can tell what the new growth is because it is usually lighter in color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will keep the size smaller and encourage denser growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12 | Use mulch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apply a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch around all plants every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This helps to keep moisture in the soil and acts as a weed barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13 | Install garden art<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Statue<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Install garden art<\/a> to add visual interest with sculptures, bird baths, and clematis<\/a> covered arbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garden art can be made from plants, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A well placed pot of begonias on a fence or plinth will make you smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be cautious about placing too many small pieces around. Little ornaments can make a yard look junky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is better to have a few large items that act as focal points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 | Add water<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Adding a water feature<\/a> or two is an easy way to create interest to your yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sound of water definitely enhances the spirit of a garden.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Blue<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

But even a simple bird bath creates a feeling of serenity. And encourages the birds to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15 | Light it up<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Uplighting<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Landscape lighting<\/a> will add a magical element to your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlight selected plants and sculptures by pointing landscape spot lights up and down them so that your garden enjoyment is extended into the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other shade garden ideas you might like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n