"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time
ago." - Warren Buffett
As Florida is the “Sunshine State,” we are always talking about plants that need full sun or love the heat!
But, it is also important to choose the right plants for shady areas of
your landscape.
When planning for the shady portion of your yard, start by watching how the sun moves across your landscape.
Take notes! Depending on the path of the sun, your area could get 4 hours of direct sunlight per day combined with partial shade during other times.
Also, notice how dense your shade is and, therefore, how light or dark it is at ground level.
Shade tolerant plants grow well if they receive fewer than 4 hours of sun, especially if these hours are during a cooler time of day. They grow in shade that moves - for example, shade caused by tall trees - or partial shade throughout the day. These plants prosper in an environment where the soil drains rather than becoming too soggy.
These tips will help guide your shade landscaping:
● Know your shade: Understanding the amount of shade and indirect light your
area receives is the biggest key to the success of a shady part of your
landscape. All plants need sunlight to survive, so look for areas with indirect
sunlight instead of dark areas with overly wet soil.
● Light and Color: Just because an area is shaded, don’t feel like you are limited
to only green plants! There are quite a few plants, such as Caladium, with
beautiful color to add to a shade landscape.
● Mixture of Heights: A mixture of ground cover with medium to tall plants will
create depth for a lush shade garden.
Several plant varieties love the shade! When planning your shade landscape, be sure to consider Arboricola, Asiatic Jasmine, Begonia, Bromeliads, Caladium, Canna Lilies, Cast Iron plants, Coleus, Farfugium, Foxtail Fern, Ginger (ornamental and variegated), Hawaiian Ti, Impatiens, Liriope, and Variegated Flax Lily.
Enjoy the shade!
Please email Kathy at kathys.creative.gardens@gmail.com for any questions or
gardening tips you would like to see in the future.
For more information & ideas, visit our Nursery in Ponte Vedra Beach!
Kathy’s Creative Gardens & Nursery
196 N. Roscoe Blvd.
904-655-7373
