Choosing plants that grow well in the shade and complement the rest of your garden can be a challenge. However with the help of Online Plants, its possible to have delightful low border plants in the covered areas of the garden.
What plants will give great contrast in the shade?
Here is a selection of border shrubs, that will thrive and give great contrast in foliage colour and shape.
Alternanthera Little Ruby
Heuchera species
Gardenia radicans
Arthropodium cirattum
Tips for growing plants in the shade:
1.Improve the soil structure
This really goes without saying, preparation is key. Dig or fork in organic matter such as garden compost, leaf matter or even premium garden soil. If the existing soil is heavy clay, dig in gypsum to help break this up. Leave for a week or two prior to planting.
2. Remove poor quality, hydrophobic soil
Sometimes in shady areas the soil is impoverished because larger tree's have drawn all the nutrients and water retaining abilities out of the sub-soil. In this situation, its better to remove the soil, rather than spending money, time and wasted effort trying to improve. Its nearly impossible to restore the water retaining capabilities to harsh, dry soil. Remove and start again with premium garden mix.
3.Use Potassium based fertiliser
Potash or Potassium fertiliser helps promote allround healthy and lush plants. Use this type of fertilizer in the shade rather than plant food high in Nitrogen which can result in rapid plant growth in a weakened state.
4.Mulching
Saves time, saves money, saves water, Great idea of shade areas, Mulching also cuts out weed growth which further helps with plant growth. Irrigation systems are great, but the first priority in shade planting is effective Mulching.
5.Loosen the bottom of each planting hole