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Frustrated Shade Gardener
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Posted by grace42 z6 MO (My Page) on Wed, Mar 9, 05 at 0:27
| I am new to this site, and new to shade gardening. I've been reading several posts, hoping to gain enthusiasm/motivation. I'm hoping to tackle a terraced area in my backyard this year, and hopefully conquer others areas in the next 2 years.
I was inspired by pictures posted under one of the posts under shade gardening. I would love to see more pictures of shade gardens - and especially interested in seeing pictures of terraced areas with shade plants.
Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Frustrated Shade Gardener
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| There are many good books on shade gardening with plenty of inspirational pictures. You can probably also find books about terraced gardens. Is your area all shade, is it deep shade or partial shade? Are you interested in shrubs, perennials or annuals (or if all 3, what proportions)? Keep in mind that with deep shade, variegated plant foliage can play an important role for you. Also, consider different plant textures - bold hosta leaves juxtaposed with delicate fern foliage, for example. Deep shade provides some challenges if that is what you have, but there are ideas out there. |
RE: Frustrated Shade Gardener
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| What direction do the slopes on the terraces face - NESW ? If the face south or west they will get a lot of hot sun and you can grow many of sun-loving plants. If north or east you will need to find shade-loving plants you like. For the terraces themselves plants for partial shade should do well. |
RE: Frustrated Shade Gardener
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My favorite colors in the shade garden are green and white - using both foliage and flowers. (obviously, those aren't the only colors I use there but I try to keep all the colors in the cool end of the particular colors.) I think the green/white combination looks cool and lush. I don't have terraces so I can't help with that but here's one of my favoite views in my shady backyard from late June last summer:
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RE: Frustrated Shade Gardener
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| i liked Ken Druse Book the Natural Shade Garden, its full of really nice photos for inspiration. |
RE: Frustrated Shade Gardener
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- Posted by jkom51 Z9 CA/Sunset 17 (My Page) on
Sun, Mar 27, 05 at 14:11
| Dry shade or wet? Most recommended plant lists I've seen are for wet shade, because that's the easy 'woodland' plants. Dry shade is more difficult, so add that into the equation. |
RE: Frustrated Shade Gardener
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| A good book to try is "Making the Most of Shade" by Larry Hodgson. I'm reading it now and am enjoying it. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Making the Most of Shade
RE: Frustrated Shade Gardener
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| Well, my little woodland garden is not terraced but we do sit on the side of a hill so our property slopes to the east. I don't think you can see the slope in my photos though b/c the Blue Cohosh is so tall that it hides the slope. Here's a picture I took about a week and a half ago: 
Bloodroot:
 Wild Violets:
 Canadian Ginger:
 False Solomon's Seal:
 Ostrich Fern and Blue Cohosh:
 Royal Fern:
 Virginia Bluebells:
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