Colorful Shade Garden

Shade gardening can be a real challenge, especially if you want to include more than the usual ferns and foliage plants. Whether you're gardening in dense shade (where little sunlight comes through) or partial shade (which offers dappled, or filtered, sunlight), just a little flower color can go a long way in brightening those spots. Master gardener Beth Richardson promises success with the following shade-lovers:

• Astilbe: This summer-flowering perennial with plume-like blooms does well in Zones 4-9 and is available in several colors including shades of pink, red, purple and white. Native to Asia, Astilbe is easy to grow in average garden soil and requires plenty of moisture. Does well in dense shade.

• Bulbs: Don't forget bulbs when dressing up shady areas in your garden. Daffodils, crocus and grape hyacinths all do well and add spots of purple, yellow and white.

• Caladium:These showy foliage plants feature large heart-shaped leaves of red, pink, green and white. They prefer full shade and grow to a height of approximately 15 inches.

• Foxglove (Digitalis): Falling into two groups, perennials and biennials, foxgloves are grown for their striking bell-shaped flowers on long spikes. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and make excellent cut flowers.

• Hosta: These popular, hardy plants thrive in Zones 3-8 and feature summer-blooming flowers of white or lavender that extend on long stalks from the foliage. Some varieties are surprisingly fragrant and most do well in dense shade.

• Hydrangeas: Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that grow to three feet or taller; large flower heads tend toward blue if soil is acidic and pink if soil is alkaline. A good choice for dense-shade areas.

• Lobelia: Lobelia comprises a large genus of perennials and annuals in both tall and low-growing forms. These plants need moist soil and light shade.

• Vinca:This annual shade-loving vine looks attractive in containers, hanging baskets or as a groundcover. Small blue-violet flowers may appear, but the foliage itself is stunning in shaded areas or full sun.

• Remember to take into account the height of plants at maturity and their location in a partial shade garden. Tall-growing plants can create more shade, causing smaller surrounding plants to fail.

• Moisture is an important consideration in shady gardens. Many gardeners assume that partial shade means "no need to water" — not so. Depending on the location of the garden and the hours it receives the strongest sunlight, the soil could dry out fairly fast. If the garden is situated under large trees, for instance, tree roots could wick a large amount of moisture from the soil, creating a need for regular watering.

• Dense-shade gardens are often created with a northern exposure and plenty of low-hanging trees. Although many plants will do well in this environment, keep in mind that low-hanging trees mean dripping water. Not all plants enjoy being dripped on. Plants with deep root systems — though they may tolerate the shade — may not tolerate the competition for root space in a dense shade garden. The trees and shrubs send out an overwhelming root system, which may prevent deep roots from surviving. If it's not possible to get a trowel into the soil any deeper than half an inch, it's probably a good idea to consider shallow rooting plants.

• Residents of southern regions may want to plant gingers, camellias or caladiums, all of which work well in warmer climates.