“Where you always get the help you need”

“Shade Gardening”

An introduction to proper practices for shade gardening

June 12, 2010Presented By James Kerr, CNLP, BSLD

1051 US Highway 202, Ringoes, NJ 08551 (908) 788-2600

Getting to understand Shade Gardens

As we all know from being around nurseries and gardencenters we see all these colorful flowers, but the problem isthat most of these plants require full sun. What if we live ina shady area, wooden lot perhaps, or have this certain partof your property maybe along your house that you alwayslook at because nothing will produce the colors and impactthat you want it to? We all have these spots on ourproperties, and I want to review with you some goodtechniques to give you that “pop” or the great accent bedthat you want.

Today I will be reviewing the following:

A.Types of Shaded areasB.Soil Preparation, fertilizing and plant spacing A.Methods to reduce ShadeC.A selection of perennials for shadeD.Using Native plants and the benefits

TYPES OF SHADED GARDENS

Dappled Shade:

is created by a light canopy of treefoliage, possibly a pergola. This is where a moving patternof sunlight and shade across the ground provides direct sunfor one or two hours a day, then the area receives brightindirect sun during the rest of the day.

Light Shade:

is also open shade because the area is opento the sky, but hedges, walls or other structures block thedirect light. The area still receives plenty of reflectedbright light even though there is no direct sun.

Deep Shade:

is basically the area that doesn’t receive anydirect sun. These areas are commonly found underevergreens. There are plants that will grow in these areasbut very few will thrive. (Basic rules of survival andestablishment)

The most common shade terms that I hear from myclients and are also listed on plant labels are:Partial Sun and Partial Shade;

these terms are oftenused interchangeably to mean 3-6 hours of sun each day,preferably in the morning and earlyafternoon….However…..

Partial Sun definition:

is that there is greater emphasisthat the plant is receiving minimal sun requirements.