These seven tips cover the essential points you need to consider when planning an area of the garden that is in shade. The first two concern foliage, both its color and texture. Then shapes of plants and garden decor. The question of shape is also related to paths and edges. The last two are color accents and water. This comes from an article by Kath LaLiberte which I found on the Longfield Gardens website.
Some?gardeners never spend a minute thinking about design. Others (like?me)?can?spend a year finding?the perfect spot for?a rock. The?person who created the garden shown above, definitely?thought a lot?about design. If you have a shady place in your yard, you can steal some great ideas from this little jewelbox of a garden.
Foliage?color.?Shade gardens are always more?about foliage than?flowers. Notice how many?different leaf colors have been chosen to?create?contrast, including?blue-black, burgundy, grey?and cream.
Foliage texture.?In filtered light,?it’s?much easier to see variations in surface textures. This area includes?smooth and glossy leaves that reflect light, as well as fuzzy and?dull ones that absorb it. There’s also a wide range of leaf sizes, from boxwoods to giant hostas.
Shapes. Though the space is small, there are?many different shapes to?keep our eyes?engaged. Strong verticals are?balanced by mounding forms and bands of flowing grasses. There are vase shaped hostas and ferns, and a spiky cordyline. The gate and arbor add curves. Even the walkway incorporates?interesting patterns.
See more at Longfield Gardens
Kim Parker Parmater
Thanks!!