How to Successfully Create a Shaded Landscape

August 28, 2017

Don’t believe for one second that you have to have a backyard full of sunshine to enjoy a beautiful landscape. There are so many gorgeous options for shade-loving leafy plants and flowers, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to successfully create a shaded landscape. Here are some tips to get you started, and they work great for borders, beds, and under trees.

Decide on the Look You Want

The first thing you should do is take a look at the area you plan to landscape at different times of the day, which will let you know whether to focus on plants that thrive in full or partial shade. Then browse pictures in gardening magazines or surf the internet to get ideas about what you want to do, which styles you like. You can make a sketch possible designs for your lawn or just wing it, whichever you prefer, but make a list of plants you like before heading to your local gardening store.

Select Your Plants and Flowers

Shade loving plants come in many types and varieties to chose from. All sorts of ferns, from Boston to maiden’s hair, are perfect for shady areas. Go for a mixture of textures and colors by including flowers, ferns, tall leafy plants, grasses, and ground cover. White flowers show up nicely in the shade and contrast well dark green vegetation. Some popular plants and flowers that thrive in the shade are astilbe, lilies, hostas, Irish moss, impatiens, and salvia. Your landscaper can advise you on the best choices for your needs.

Prepare the Area

To get started, work up the soil with a tiller and even the surface by racking over it until even. Use landscape fabric to keep weeds from growing in your borders or beds. Now arrange the plants until you have the design you want, making sure to keep the taller plants toward the back and the shortest ones in front. When you’re done rearranging them, use a garden trowel or small shovel to set them. Mulch the plants to hold in moisture and cover the weed fabric, then water each plant well.

Pots and Planters

Don’t forget use decorative pots and planters to make areas pop. Mix tall spiky plants with flowers and ivy that spills over the side, or opt for filling terracotta pots with a colorful favorite, like red geraniums or white impatiens. Planters can be classic, elaborate, or fade into the background to showcase the plants that live in them, whichever you prefer.

Add Some Garden Bling

Create added interest in your shaded landscape with strategically placed benches and pretty statuary. Birdhouses, bird feeders, and wind chimes can provide beautiful accents and a sense of tranquility. Water features such as koi ponds or fountains are a nice touch in a shaded garden as well.

So now you should be able to get your green thumb on designing lush borders and plant beds in shady areas around your home. If you need a little extra help or want to hire an expert to successfully create your dream shaded landscape, contact a reputable landscaper in Ann Arbor, Michigan.