I want to talk a little about how to mix different colors in shade gardens, as well as how to keep the colors looking good even after the flowers fade. First, please check out this article from the online magazine, Horticulture: https://www.hortmag.com/using-metallic-hues-in-the-garden-and-containers?utm_medium=email&utm_source=HTM+-+NL+-+Weekly+Newsletter&oly_enc_id=7387J4209056J6X
I like to combine the chartreuse hostas together with red & green shrubs. Be careful with too much yellow.
The white and green hostas look good with painted fern (white in the fern blends with the white in the hosta), and with Japanese maples.
The Carex everillo, shown below, provides year-round color. It requires shade and a lot of moisture. It is actually a spurge, not a grass, but it is great for brightening up a shade garden.
I was at a job site the other day and noticed this pretty shrub – Daphne odora. The site was in Dawsonville, GA, which is in Zone 7a. As pretty as it is in the shade, this plant might be killed by frosts if it is planted further north than Dawsonville. So beware of plants that look pretty, but may not make it in Dahlonega or further north.
Also, be mindful of plants that are highly invasive. This shrub below is considered “sterile,” which means that it has been bred to not grow flowers or seeds. However, studies and research have shown that it will cross-pollinate with other shrubs and can revert to the horribly invasive privet that is taking over from our native vegetation. https://ncwildflower.org/chlorofiends-whats-up-with-sterile-cultivars/
To see more information about shade gardens, or to view our portfolio, please visit our website at https://artofstonegardening.com/portfolio/shade-gardens. Also, please check back to follow the next topic in our Design Series.
