If you like woodland plants, consider planting the following in your garden. They combine well with other shade-lovers such as hostas and ferns, and they shatter the myth that shade gardens can't be colorful. Master gardener Paul James introduces a few:
- Tiarella or foamflowers (figure A) are lovely little plants that make a welcome addition to the woodland garden. They add color in terms of foliage and flowers to a shady sight (starry white or pink flowers). They prefer moist, humusy soil--the type found on the forest floor beneath the canopy of deciduous trees. If you give them these conditions plus mulch, they'll reward you in no time and slowly spread into a lush, care-free groundcover.
- Anemone (figure B) is another excellent shade-tolerant groundcover that blooms prolifically in shades of white, pink and blue, depending on the species. Grecian windflower is one of James' favorites. Anemones grow throughout much of the country and prefer rich, well-drained soil that stays somewhat moist. Small tubers planted in the fall will slowly spread and cover as much ground as you want to give them.
- Miniature frillaries have beautiful flowers that hang down from elongated stems (figure C). The more familiar are known as crown imperials, and they can grow to three feet tall and feature red or yellow flowers. They tolerate lots of shade.
)
)
)
