A Sampling of Shade Gardens
![Torch Lily in full bloom.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/boarder_garden_chris_zfgujv6N6BLs.jpg)
Spring
The repeated form of the poker plant, the iris, and the crape myrtle tie this garden together. Contrasting flower colors provide visual interest. A bench allows visitors to enjoy the cool shade provided by a sculptural vitex tree. Garden age: unknown Chris Blaha CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
- Description
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Name: A Sampling of Shade Gardens
Open to the public: Various
County: Various
USDA Hardiness Zone: Various
Extension Demonstration Garden? No
Approximate year the garden/landscape was established: Various
What to look for: Gardens in shade provide both challenges and opportunities for growing plants. The design should incorporate plants well adapted to shade and to the competition from tree roots. Some trees have such dense root systems that few plants will grow under them, but other trees are more congenial and will allow underplanting.
Shady areas are inviting to people, so the better designs include seating arrangements in the shade.
A border with a bench to sit and enjoy the cool shade provided by a sculptural vitex tree.
Horticulture: Pine straw is used as a mulch and it helps not only to regulate soil temperature and keep the soil moist longer it also suppresses weed growth.
![Torch Lily in full bloom.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/boarder_garden_chris_zfgujv6N6BLs.jpg)
Spring
The repeated form of the poker plant, the iris, and the crape myrtle tie this garden together. Contrasting flower colors provide visual interest. A bench allows visitors to enjoy the cool shade provided by a sculptural vitex tree. Garden age: unknown Chris Blaha CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![A shaded patio garden incorporating stone walls and rocks.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JR_P_Marietta_Privat_iBIRJfn2wK58.jpeg)
Spring
A shaded patio garden incorporating stone walls and rocks. Garden age: mature John Roger Palmour CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
The lovely, curved path invites you to explore the unseen garden ahead. Garden age: unknown Chris Blaha CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![A shade garden at with a wall seat.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JCRA-Shade_with_ston_ail8mYDlqj50.jpeg)
Summer
A stone wall presents shorter plants in the JCRA shade garden Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![A shaded planting. The knee-high amsonia has pale blue flowers.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JCRA-Shade-4--Glenn__RzH9qXlVLUoh.jpeg)
Summer
A shaded planting at JCRA under a wingnut tree. Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![A large shade tree underplanted with sedges and heucheras.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JCRA-Shade-1--Glenn__aPpISkK3Y2J4.jpeg)
Summer
A shade garden at the entrance to the JC Raulston Arboretum. Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![Shrubs with large white panicles blooming under a shade tree.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JCRA_Shade_With_Hydr_UAnBMJxHnNbK.jpeg)
Summer
Oak-leaf hydrangeas in bloom in the shade of an oak at JCRA. Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![Evergreen plants under a shade tree.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/Winter_Gardens_Glenn_1bHlAzBi7zQj.jpeg)
Winter
The JCRA shade garden with evergreens in winter. Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![Small maple tree underplanted with diverse small plants.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/Small_shade_garden_6_hoT6gGcsIBQA.jpeg)
Spring
Planting in the shade of a Japanese maple. Garden age: 3 years Barbara Goodman CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![Torch Lily in full bloom.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/boarder_garden_chris_zfgujv6N6BLs.jpg)
Spring
The repeated form of the poker plant, the iris, and the crape myrtle tie this garden together. Contrasting flower colors provide visual interest. A bench allows visitors to enjoy the cool shade provided by a sculptural vitex tree. Garden age: unknown Chris Blaha CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![A shaded patio garden incorporating stone walls and rocks.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JR_P_Marietta_Privat_iBIRJfn2wK58.jpeg)
Spring
A shaded patio garden incorporating stone walls and rocks. Garden age: mature John Roger Palmour CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
Spring
The lovely, curved path invites you to explore the unseen garden ahead. Garden age: unknown Chris Blaha CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![A shade garden at with a wall seat.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JCRA-Shade_with_ston_ail8mYDlqj50.jpeg)
Summer
A stone wall presents shorter plants in the JCRA shade garden Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![A shaded planting. The knee-high amsonia has pale blue flowers.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JCRA-Shade-4--Glenn__RzH9qXlVLUoh.jpeg)
Summer
A shaded planting at JCRA under a wingnut tree. Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![A large shade tree underplanted with sedges and heucheras.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JCRA-Shade-1--Glenn__aPpISkK3Y2J4.jpeg)
Summer
A shade garden at the entrance to the JC Raulston Arboretum. Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![Shrubs with large white panicles blooming under a shade tree.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/JCRA_Shade_With_Hydr_UAnBMJxHnNbK.jpeg)
Summer
Oak-leaf hydrangeas in bloom in the shade of an oak at JCRA. Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY-NC 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![Evergreen plants under a shade tree.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/Winter_Gardens_Glenn_1bHlAzBi7zQj.jpeg)
Winter
The JCRA shade garden with evergreens in winter. Garden age: mature Glenn Wagstaff CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo
![Small maple tree underplanted with diverse small plants.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/garden_imgs/Small_shade_garden_6_hoT6gGcsIBQA.jpeg)
Spring
Planting in the shade of a Japanese maple. Garden age: 3 years Barbara Goodman CC BY 2.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo