Shady Nooks

Those of us with abundant sun and some shade in our gardens are very fortunate indeed. This gives us the opportunity to grow a wide variety of shrubs, plants and flowers, and perhaps space to create a shady nook or two in small areas of the garden. It could be shade from a building or a tree and it is not that difficult to do, especially with so many attractive shrubs and plants available that will grow very well under those conditions.



I suggest that you first make a plan of the size and shape of the shady area where you will be creating your nook before choosing the plants. Decide whether you have enough space for a bench or chair with some stepping stones in with the plants. If not, put it off to the side, perhaps on pavers, as I have done in one of my little nooks. If you can, include a small fountain for the calming sound of running water.



The list is very long for shade loving plants. Make sure you choose the right plants that will work in your zone and under your soil conditions. Whether the soil is dry or moist, there are plants that will thrive. Select plants that will show up in the shade, light and bright colors as opposed to dark. Variegated plants work well. Select a variety of plant sizes and textures so that it wll not be boring or one dimensional. You can use a combination of perennials and annuals, as I do.




Even though my shady nooks are small and not too elaborate, they feel very restful when we are sitting beside them. The tiny nook beside the covered patio has a small fountain so that we hear the sound of water. Even the birds enjoy this shady nook! The other is under a poplar tree in the side corner of the garden. I like to sit on the bench there, in the welcome shade on a hot summer day, to rest and just to look at the lovely plants and flowers in the bed beside me. From there, I can look down the length of the garden and enjoy the beauty of the trees, green grass, shrubs, and flower beds and watch the birds at the feeders or splashing around in the bird bath. It was so worth it to have made this special nook.



“Oh for a book and a shady nook,
Either indoors or out,
with the green leaves whispering overhead,
or the street cries all about.
Where I may read at all my ease
both of the new and old,
For a jolly good book whereon to look
is better to me than gold” By John Wilson