Monday, June 13, 2011

It's Bloomin' Tuesday!

Welcome to my shade garden!



I had some questions about shade gardens last week so I'm showing more of mine this week. I hope I answer all your questions. Click on the pictures to enlarge and get a better look. This tree and a huge maple in the corner of my neighbors property make for this shady corner on my lot. The sign says 'Time spent in a garden is well spent', which I certainly believe.


The pink and white Dead Nettle around this tree just keeps spreading. There is a concrete circle around the tree but that didn't stop it. As with everything that I don't need, I just pull it out.




To the left is the actual entry to the garden. There are a few stones showing the path with some ground covers between. The tall plant right behind the left post is Solomon Seal.





The white peony on the left, just before the entry was beautiful this year.

The plants I depend on the most to fill this garden are Coral Bells, Hosta and Ferns. They survive our long, cold winters, fill in more every year and add color and texture. Here you can see a hosta behind the Heuchera (Coral Bell) Melting Fire. I love the new colors of Coral Bells like the "Carmel' on the left behind the fern.







I think the Soft Needle Fern, on the left, is my favorite fern. I love how soft and frilly it is. It is next to a Japanese Painted Fern.




Brunerra is another reliable shade plant. It is a nice mounding plant that adds some white to the garden without being stark against all the greens. This one is Jack Frost. There are ferns behind it and a Toad Lily on the right. The yellow flowers are a creeping Sedum.




This shot shows the Toad Lily, on the left with variegated Solomon Seal behind it, a small leaf hosta and a Brilliance Autumn Fern. The fern turns beautiful shades of rust, orange and browns in the Fall.




The last picture is on the way out of the shade garden. I have a Remember Me Hosta on the left, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, a bright green Hosta, and Coral Bells, Molly Bush. The plants in front are Prim Roses that line the path. They have gotten huge this year.



I also use Bleeding Heart, Astilbe and Solomon Seal to add blooms to the shade garden but there is plenty of color even when there are no blooms. The plants have grown so big this year I would need to expand it if I find any more shade plants and I'm running out of shade. I hope I have answered your shade plant questions. I might add Miracle Grow once a season but I like a woodsy feel so I don't clean up all the leaves and tree debris which are also good fertilizer.



That's my Western New York shade garden for this week. What is bloomin' where you are planted this week? Just add your name and permalink to Mr Linky and add a link to this post on your blog to join the fun.



21 comments:

Patty Marker said...

Your shade garden is beautiful. It's amazing how much color you can tuck in there. I have a few shady sections in my perennial bed where I have my azaelas and camellias. This year we added a couple of hydrangeas. of course, plenty of impatiens. You've given me more options.

Deb said...

Hi Jean, just beautiful! I love your watering can in the first picture. Everything looks so very nice. I have hosta but very little shade, so I plant them on the north side of both sheds--it helps somewhat.

I have my post ready to come up tomorrow. Thanks for hosting!

Diana LaMarre said...

I love Cora Bells, too. I don't have any of the fancy new colors, but I need to get some.

I bet that is the perfect spot to sit on those 90+degree days!

daisy g said...

Love all the shades of green in your lovely shade garden! It makes me feel at least 20 degrees cooler!;0)

Racquel said...

I love your shade garden too Jean, the chairs are very inviting. Just want to sit there with a glass of tea & a book. :)

Rosemary said...

Jean; every choice you have made for shade makes a perfect garden. Love the bird house peeking out from the foliage...

Darla said...

Jean, you have some great shade plants...I too leave the leaves and most tree debris for the soil.

Anonymous said...

Jean,
I have had to work with shady areas a lot in my homes, and I have found many of the lovely plants you use to be a godsend!
I also like lily of the valley, and it's really spreading right now in my garden.
I saw your sweet woodruff. It is beautiful and easy. And hostas are always so gorgeous.
Have a wonderful day!

Suzanne said...

I love shade gardens. Yours is so lush and beautiful! Thanks for hosting, Jean. I didn't have much going on in my garden till this last week. It's good to see mine finally taking off!

Carol said...

Your shade garden is stunning! Mine is getting better but still has a ways to go. Thanks for sharing yours and havign this enjoyable "meme"

Stacey said...

How beautiful! You remind me that I need to add ferns in the shade. Just never know which ones to pick!

Lynn said...

Your shade gardens are beautiful and lush Jean, very pretty:@)

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Beautiful garden! Coral Bells (Huechera) are my favorite plant, love those leaf colors! Book arrived safe and sound, thank you again.

Kathy said...

These are marvelous! I love the beauty and variety of shade plants - thank you for hosting this lovely party,
Kathy

Marlee said...

Your garden is so lovely. I especially love the seating area under the maple. Thanks for hosting!

Sherry said...

Thanks for sharing your shade garden. I have a small shade garden on one side of our house but we do have places to expand with shade plants. I am inspired to pay a little more attention to our garden this week.

colorchic said...

Just found this fun link from Suzanne. What a fun way to share gardens and everything blooming!

Donna Heber said...

Hi Jean,

Your shade gardens are magnificent! I just wish I had a little more shade on my property. Your color and texture combinations are wonderful. Just look at that "Jack Frost" and how it stands out. Thank you for hosting.

Diana LaMarre said...

OOPS! I didn't mean to link up twice. I thought I was at Outdoor Wednesday this morning--I should not be doing this at 5:00 a.m.!! Sorry, Jean.

CosmoGirl Carla said...

Hi Jean! Gorgeous shade plants. I'm a bit jealous, though, there's not much shade at all on our property. I would love to have some beautiful ferns. Your little shady spot near the neighbors tree is wonderful ~ so inviting.

Thanks again for sharing and providing us with some great garden inspiration once again! :o)

Carla

Green Thumb Gardening said...

Very helpful and useful information, it will surely helps a lot of people who love to put up a garden in the yard and by giving all of your tips, this will make them more easier on starting to put up a great and really amazing green garden. Thanks for sharing this very informative post.