In my opinion, shade gardens are harder to pull off design wise, but when done correctly, can create a sense of space, peace quiet and nature like nothing else. The riots of color from your average sunny border always bring a smile to my face, but a cool shade garden is the place that makes me want to sit down and feel the humidity, the slight breeze though the trees, and take a deep breath of that green/dirt/growing things smell.
It could also be that I've noticed that sitting down in a not-shade garden here, from May-October, is torture.
My shade garden, which is my SW corner (NE exposure) is the only part of my garden that doesn't get direct sunlight, and it is the part of my garden that has the least cohesiveness to it, despite the fact that it is also the only part that has any actual 'backbone' to it, in the form of the palm tree and small raised bed.
The fact is, my collective images of gardens and experience from my mom's gardens (which has about zero shade in it) has left me without a solid image of how to get what I want. Also, the shady south isn't the shady Midatlantic or Northeast, and a lot of stuff just doesn't like it here... at all.
But I have hope that one of these days I'll be able to create my little slice of inky shaded paradise, because shade gardens abound in Charleston, and I only have to walk around a little to get some good ideas.
Our city is covered in closely spaced 18th and 19th century houses, nearly all 2 to 4 stories, nearly all with 10+ ft ceiling heights, and it makes for some shady lanes and moss covered brick patios. Think hidden nooks with crumbling statuary and benches under a massive arching live oaks with moss and ferns hanging from above. I have no hope of this, my patio garden just gets too much sunlight, but that macro feeling is what I so love about those shady spots. It is shadowed, dark and an inviting retreat from the glare of the sun. Like you might just find a romantic Anne Rice-type vampire or witch hanging out there in the twilight.
Now I'm not quite exactly sure what to PUT in the shady spots to make it look like that but I'm working on it.
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You just need a nice statue or birdbath, hostas, cast iron plants, looks like you have some ferns, and maybe some planters with flowers if you don't want to dig up your slate. I think I saw flagstone or slate, And of course a bench or chairs. You may want to dig up what's there and make a small brick path leading to a small patio ( or sitting spot ) , and then put things there. You live in Charleston woman ! You have ideas surrounding you daily ! Take care, Gina
ReplyDeleteHi Jess, how I long for a shady corner too! My former garden was complete shade and very inviting on a hot day. Now I have full sun without a stitch of shade and although I can grow all sorts of new plants I do miss having a corner to sit and rest. I love how shade gardens are almost entirely based on foliage and variations of green. Very soothing to the eyes as well as the temperature. Marguerite
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to try and suggest anything...but I just wanted to say that I get what you mean about a lovely secluded and shady spot Jess. In the heat of our summers I long for a lush green and secluded retreat in my garden...I haven't got there quite yet, but I'm working on it too!
ReplyDeleteIt will come together Jess. I agree, shade gardening can be challenging, but the aesthetic of a cool, green, shade garden evokes more of a sense of sanctuary than most other gardening styles. Our first house had dense shade in the back garden. Growing anything was a challenge. As it evolved, I grew plants that were happy there, but that was only determined by trial and error, with a number of plant failures along the way. Camellias, Rhododendron pachysandra, Japanese maples, and Pieris mostly did well, with some mosses. I still miss that garden. It was always 10-15 degrees cooler than in the front of the house, and a peaceful quiet place to sit.
ReplyDeleteI envy the possibility of a shade garden...the only shade my yard has is the shadow cast by the north side of my house lol. I suppose it's still possible then....but I'd love to have one of those shade gardens you describe...a cool nook inside a grove of trees or something....
ReplyDeleteI think it looks nice now. Pat and I are lucky, we have shady places in the back yard and sunny places in the front yard. Your yard looks grand. jim
ReplyDeleteJess, After I designed a (part)shade garden, I thought that my designs for sunny borders improved. It was the shade garden that taught me how to focus on sizes, shapes, textures and colors of foliage. It can be daunting, but I think you'll enjoy the challenge once it starts coming together. -Jean
ReplyDeleteHi Jess, Nice post. The older I get, the more appreciative I am of shade. This spring's inordinate rainfall has really boosted the growth on my precious living canopies. It is my personal opinion that even sunny gardens need a tall canopy to provide that romantic nuance you write of, although, being ignorant of the Vampire novels, I can't quite place romance and vampire in the same sentence. LOL
ReplyDeleteYour climate is so different from mine, Jess, so I can't really suggest things. It also depends on whether you have moist or dry shade, what you can plant in a site. I have a LOT of moisture in some parts of our garden so I plant accordingly with astilbes, aruncus, hostas, ferns, anemones, woodland perennials, shrubs that will take the moisture--things that I know won't throw a fit when we get 4 foot snowdrifts that melt into lakes of water around our place come spring. The best suggestion I can make is to write posts like this and see what others in your area suggest in their comments back to you.
ReplyDeleteGo for a walk down any street in Charleston for some great ideas of what you can use for your base. Expand on it based on things you see in catalogs like Plant Delights.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jess. Sorry I'm so far behind on your blog! I even wrote a post dedicated to you recently, called "star stuff," and didn't get over here to give you a heads-up about it. It's just that busy time of year in the garden; isn't it? Let's enjoy it and not worry too much about the blogs.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I vote for a pergola -- while you're still in the planning stages for your shady spot to sit outside. I once had lunch beneath a pergola in Savannah (similar climate, I think) that had vines coating it, some with heavy foliage to provide shade, and the rest was climbing rose 'New Dawn,' which was dropping sweet pastel petals into our soup course. Ever since, I've always thought I'd put one up if I got settled and had a sunny patio -- and it sounds like you need a respite from the glare!
Agreed.
ReplyDeleteThe shade is a chance for great opportunity, but can also be a challenge. Hostas are a safe choice, but they can get boring. I'm struggling with the same issues as you are, and so best of luck with working something out.
ReplyDeleteHowdy,
ReplyDeleteI have lots of shade but here in zone 7a this may not work for you but take a look if you like.
You'll have fun planning what you want.
Not all things work out but it sure keeps the garden changing.
Enjoy