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Give that bare spot beneath a tree's canopy a makeover with this simple small-space shade garden plan. It brims with color and texture that will liven up that dull shady nook you don't know what to do with. Complement the colorful flowers and lush foliage with a few landscaping stones to give the bed an organic look. Find the full plant list and layout diagram below.

Plants for Creating the Small-Space Shade Garden Plan

Low-maintenance shade perennials such as hosta, astilbe, and foamflower offer colorful flowers and lush foliage. Low-growing annual wax begonias and a few autumn crocus ensure continuous blooms from spring until frost.

3 Astilbe 'Red Sentinel': Zones 4-8
4 Hosta 'Bressingham Blue': Zones 3-10
7 Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia): Zones 3-7
7 Periwinkle (Vinca minor): Zones 4-9
5 Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale): Zones 4-9
4 Wax begonia (Begonia semperflorens-cultorum): Annual

If you can't find the exact cultivars listed above, look for with others with similar colors, shapes, and sizes.

Because some plants can become overly aggressive and spread out of control in certain climates, always check which species are considered invasive in your area before planting. For example, in warmer regions, periwinkle is considered invasive. Non-invasive shade-loving alternatives include golden star, native wild ginger, and barren strawberry.

Get the Free Small-Space Shade Garden Plan

This garden design includes an illustrated version of the planted garden, a detailed layout diagram, a list of plants for the garden as shown, and complete instructions for installing the garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a small garden appear bigger?

You can add a pond or water garden to create the illusion that the area is bigger, because the water will reflect the sky and surrounding area. Incorporating different textures can also make the garden appear more spacious than it actually is.
How do you care for shade gardens?

Shade gardens require less fertilizer and water because they take longer to dry out. However, if your plants are situated around a big tree, they will need to be watered more frequently because the tree will soak up most of the moisture received.
Where is the best location for a shade garden?

It depends on the plants in your shade garden. Some can tolerate full shade, while others need some sunlight. East-facing areas work best for shade-tolerant plants because west-facing areas are exposed to hot sun in the afternoon which can cause leaves to burn.

Sources

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