VIBRANT PLANT COMBINATIONS FOR A SHADE GARDEN

Areas of the garden that do not enjoy much sun and are in shade for a large part of the day are often regarded as a problem. Even if there are plants that will grow in these conditions they are not particularly exciting. However by using clever plant combinations it is surprising just what can be achieved as Jennifer explains on her blog Three Dogs in a Garden.

Throughout the garden, and especially along its outer perimeter, mature trees cast pockets of the Chen and Linda’s magnificent garden called ‘Garden Canadensis’ into shade and part shade.

What I think will surprise and delight you is just how vibrant shady areas in a garden can be.

Here then are some of the many wonderful plant parings from Garden Canadensis for shade/part shade, with a brief explanation of why each combination works, as well as a bit of information on a key perennial in each grouping.

Plant combination:?Dicentra ‘Stuart Boothman’ and Hosta ‘Dancing in the Rain’?

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What’s nice about this mix is the combination of fern-like foliage and the large, broad leaves of the hosta.

Chen writes:

“I like all Dicentras, the fern-like leaves and the dainty flowers, and would like to have all varieties if I can, eventually. Ideally, I try to plant them in the shade of some trees with enough sunlight for decent blooms, but not so much that their leaves deteriorate too quickly into summer.”