A garden in your front yard makes your home look beautiful. However, there are certain places in your yard which may not receive adequate sunlight for plant growth. You can even cover these shady areas with natural greenery by planning a shade garden. A shade garden includes only those plants which can grow under shady conditions. The partial areas are considered to receive only three to four hours of sunlight in the morning or afternoon. While some areas include dapple shade getting sunlight through the branches of the tree, some other areas include full shade with less than three hours of lighting. With a proper planning, you can create a shade garden in your home.
Deciding the layout is the most important thing to be done when planning a shade garden. It mostly involves an informal style and therefore, avoid making a formal layout. The layout should contain plants with different heights that are nested in rows creating a demarcation. Also, determine the size of garden. It can be either small or big. However, it depends on your ability to care the garden. Remember that the size of the shade garden should be proportionate to the height and scale of your house.
One of the special considerations for shade garden is the type of soil. Shade garden work well with soil that is rich and slightly acidic with decaying leaf mold. Layer of mulch over such areas not only keeps the soil temperature cool but also ensures sufficient and steady nutrient supply. Choosing right shady plant is crucial part when planning a shade garden. Hydrangea, periwinkle and fuschia are some of the examples of shady plants. Also you can add interesting garden accessories like fencing, bird bath, water fountain, wooden benches and so on to improve its appeal.
A shade garden with effective planning not only improves the visual appeal of the garden but also helps in effective utilization of the garden space.