Choose trees for their size, shape and rate of growth — or shape them to fit your space. Here's how to get started

Plant goat’s beard in perennial and woodland gardens. Its large white spring blooms attract bees, beetles and butterflies

With its blue foliage and variety of shapes, blue atlas cedar earns its place in the sun

These adaptable native plants thrive in a variety of conditions and will provide flowers throughout the season

Use a variety of plant heights, textures and sizes, as well as leaves and flowers in varying colors, for a pleasing design

Plant bigleaf aster in late fall for late-summer color in the shade garden

Meet the syrphid fly, a colorful pollinator that also beats chemicals for controlling aphids and other garden pests

Nourish butterflies and other winged creatures with the tubular flowers of Monarda fistulosa, a pretty pink native

Create a garden that not only looks beautiful but also nurtures native bees — and helps other wildlife in the process

Your shady garden doesn’t have to be forever barren. Berries, herbs and other shade-loving plants can produce a delicious bounty