It looks like it could be Spirea Neon Flash. Pretty whatever it is.

Spirea sounds right. Thanks Bob.

Ooh, love that hot pink! OK, glad I found you all...

I've finally created my shade garden that I've been planning for 15 years! Most of that was waiting for the trees to grow since we planted everything on the lot when we built the house. Now, finally, they're ready! Got the area pruned up, weeded, laid down some compost and mulch this month. I immediately started accumulating plants, because I couldn't resist and definitely couldn't wait until fall like common sense would dictate. I'll just blame it on the Daylily Gardens down the road that also sells hostas, and is only open April-June.

Since shade is pretty much new to me (I have some shade on the north side of the house, but its plantings are limited to hydrangea, camellia, some ferns and hostas.), I'm really trying to plan this before I put everything in the ground. My beds in sun tend to run to the 'cottage garden' look. (Meaning I plant willy nilly)

The new space is about 1250 sq ft, so its a lot of ground to cover. I've got paths mulched, and spots for the stepping stones ready. The tree trunks are indicated just by brown circles noting the trunks, but pretty much cover the area with just the north and west edges getting part sun (indicated by yellow ground)...

Any suggestions for full shade plants? I'm not sure how things will grow right near tree trunks, so have left them kind of clear so far.. thinking just a ground cover? So far I've only gotten a little periwinkle, will need to get more or pick some other options for there...

Here's the actual space, with the plants I have already placed. Expecting a few more things Tuesday, then I'll probably try to get some things in the ground so they don't have to be watered quite so often. (still going to be a long summer of watering!) I expect I'll fill in with a lot more hostas (have some neighbors with some they're going to divide in fall... also always looking to plant butterfly and hummer plants. I know they're mostly sun, but if you've any ideas for some that take shade I'm interested!


Left side of the bed


Right side of the bed


Thinking about calling it the 'back 20' maybe the 'way-back 20'

This might be a helpful view.. hard to get a good shot of such a wide space! (DD in a rare 'ham' moment...)

Ones you did not mention Tiarella . the lime green Heuchera pop out in full shade and Hellebore.

Hi Kelly, In the past I've tried Ligularia but because they need consistently moist soil, which I didn't provide, they languished and died. This spring I tried L. 'The Rocket' and added moisture crystals when planted. It's done so well that I recently added a few more. The crystals seem to have done the trick so now I can enjoy that fantastic foliage. I have some fern and Hosta Guacomole as backdrops. Next year will tell the tale.

There are a bunch of Japanese painted ferns and while I only have 2 they are stunners.

Thanks guys! I've got one tiarella on order 'Elizabeth Oliver'.

I'd seen a ligularia with the daisy-like flowers and skipped it, but now that I look online, I see there are a lot of different kinds. The purple leaved and spotted ones are great, and I definitely prefer the tall spikes like on 'The rocket'! Will have to consider some now.

I've got peat moss and water crystals both ready to use in my usual mixture of mushroom compost and soil conditioner (the standard recipe here with our heavy clay). Its good to know that the water crystals made a difference for you Evan, I'll be sure to include them, as I'm unlikely to provide consistent moisture, especially after this first summer and fall.

I guess I'm not sure, if something says part-shade, can it actually handle closer to full shade? Not much actually calls for full shade, and the back corner of my bed is definitely almost full shade all summer (maybe a dapple of sun, possibly, but not likely). So far I have Aspidistra and a Hosta Big Daddy that belong back there, along with the ferns (have one Japanese painted and a few misc. volunteers to transplant). Everything else that I have calls for part-shade!

That is a lovely spot, Kelly! Although I haven't had great luck with them (yet), astilbes like shade, some rhododendrums, I have hydrangeas in full shade and they are happy. Have fun!

Astilbes like a lot of water , might give them some of those water crystals.

We have a red astilbe growing on a dryish hill. Seems to like it all right. I forget which cultivar.

Heucherella Lime Rickey seems to do well in sun or shade here. I have Tiarella Alabama Sunrise under an old J. Maple and it really glows.

I was doing some reading on the water crystals last night and one study, at the U. of Toledo I believe, concluded that the commercially available crystals are modified to be even more absorbent. As a result they can be very fragile, break down and loose they're effectiveness quickly. They didn't identify brands though.

The brand I am currently using does seem to be more fragile than the last one. The crystals break into smaller pieces as I'm stirring the soil... don't remember that happening before. This one is 'Soil Moist' that I got at Lowes. I can't remember what I was using previously.

Does anyone have azaleas in mostly shade? I definitely would like to put some in, but I'm finding a need for some things up against the holly border, not in the front. (also thinking that too many shrubs on the outside edge will cut down on the airflow... and the occasional breeze is key to enjoying that space!

Got over half of the plants I already have planted today! Its so nice to be able to work throughout the day. When I plant in the sun I have to stop by 11 or so because of the sun and heat! Was still pretty hot under there today, but SO much better than out in the sun!

That's exciting, Kelly! Share pictures of your progress!

Kelly ,
What a beautiful spot you have .

For the deep shade think woodlands and what grows there. I have bluebells ,wild ginger and woodland phlox . They all bloom early and take advantage of the leaves being off the trees. I see your trees are all deciduous so that is an advantage. also don't forget bulbs, there are several of the smaller ones that will do well in shade and use that same advantage.

bluebells
woodland phlox

Oh Cinda, those are gorgeous! I've read about woodland phlox, but not managed to get any yet. I'll definitely put it on my list. I'm guessing the bluebells are something I'd order in the fall catalogs to plant at the same time as daffodils? I'm going to have to do some hyacinths too... just love their smell!

Those, at least (daffs) are something I have a ton of! My front yard must have a thousand of them, and I can't seem to divide them fast enough Glad to have somewhere to put them now whenever I try to plant something in the front I'm always digging up daffs by accident!

I was so excited last night when I examined my Japanese Painted Fern in the front to discover that it had spread and I had several I could transplant! Put them next to the Hosta Big Daddy which is a blueish color. Thinking I'd like to find something with little white flowers to add to that mix.

Got the rest of what I have planted this morning. Now I'll just have the order from Niche Gardens coming today to plant before I can take a rest. I DID try out the hammock this morning though, while I was waiting for a big hole of clay to drain the water I'd filled it with :)

After the Niche order gets planted I'll do a video and post it on Utube... I think that will give the feeling much better than photos for the big space! Of course, everything is a little underwhelming now, but I'm trying to avoid the temptation to over-plant!

Thinking I should expand my shade garden into the wind rows.... Wont my DH love me????

Oh definitely... just put up a hammock for him ;-)

Kelly spigelia marilandica is great for shade and a hummingbird attractor. Common name Indian Pink
https://www.mobot.org/gardenin...

Thanks Susan, I'd just read about that one, its on my list to watch for!

I'm excited about the possibility of a protected spot for the hummingbirds. So far all my hummingbird plants are out in full sun. I think they'll like this new option. Just planted a Lobelia Cardinalis and Great Blue lobelia in the part sun area off to the side today!