5 Planting Tips For Shade

Introduction

Flowering plants can make the most of their space and still bloom like crazy with the right care. Here are some simple tips for creating a beautiful shade garden that will thrive for years to come.

#1 Know your light conditions

The amount of light a plant receives is one of the most important factors in determining what kind of plant you should choose. The amount of light that a plant receives depends on:

  • The location, i.e., where the plant will be planted. Some plants do better in full sun than others, and some prefer to grow in part shade or even complete shade.
  • Time of year and time of day, because different parts of the day are brighter than others (for example, late afternoon can be much less sunny than early morning).

#2 Consider companion planting

Companion planting is a gardening technique that uses plants together to improve the health and yield of each other. This can be accomplished by planting certain plants together that attract beneficial insects, repel pests, or otherwise help each other grow better. Companion planting is not a new concept, but it’s gaining popularity in recent years as gardeners seek out creative ways to use less space for growing healthy food and flowers.

One way you can incorporate companion planting into your shade garden is to plant some herbs (like basil) next to beans—the herb will attract insect pollinators like bees while the bean vine provides support for their climbing habit!

#3 Plan for multiple seasons

If you’re planting a garden in a shaded area, consider the seasons. If your climate is cold, choose plants that will be dormant during the winter months and grow back in the spring. You can also use evergreen plants for year round color. In warmer climates or if you have less shade to contend with, choose plants that are more suitable for warm season growth (such as deciduous shrubs) and plan on replacing them with something else after a few years when they reach maturity.

#4 Watering matters

Watering your plants matters, and it’s important to understand how much water each plant needs in its specific environment.

  • Water your plants when they need it. Some plants like cacti are drought-tolerant and only require water once a week or less. Other plants, like succulents, require daily watering during their active growing season (usually spring through late fall). If you aren’t sure about your plant’s watering needs or don’t want to guess wrong, consult the tag attached to the plant at purchase time for guidance on how much water that particular type of plant needs.
  • Place pots in areas with good air circulation for best results. Avoid placing pots directly in contact with other surfaces that may trap heat from sunlight or indoor lights—these areas will dry out faster than other spots around them!

#5 Choose plants that fit your space.

If you’re thinking about planting something in your shade garden, remember that plants come in a variety of sizes. You don’t have to choose just one plant for each season. If you have a large area where you’d like to put a few different types of plants, try some that bloom at different times and in different colors. This way, you’ll have more blooms throughout the year!

To get the most out of your experience, you’ll want to keep these tips in mind as you design your shade garden.

  • Choose plants that fit your space.
  • If you’re going to plant shade-loving perennials, consider companion planting. For example, ferns and hostas are great companions for shade gardens because they don’t compete for soil nutrients or water. Ferns also help keep weeds down and can be cut back each year to make room for new growth.
  • When selecting shrubs, go with ones that have a rounded shape so they won’t crowd out other plants in the space. A good rule of thumb is to choose plants with a mature height of 6 feet or less (if you plan on planting along the perimeter of your yard). Also keep in mind that native species work best in most any environment!

Conclusion

So there you have it—our five top tips for creating a beautiful shade garden! We’re hoping that these tips will help you make your own space shine. And remember: even if you don’t have much sunlight available, there are still plenty of ways to be creative and bring life into your home or office.

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