Garden Design Ideas

Shady Area

This 11-foot square border is backed by a high stone wall and cherry laurel. The owners asked designer Paul Williams for shade-tolerant planting that would mirror the formality of the adjacent garden. The plants here are mostly green with the odd splash of color.

Plants Used

Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata'
Gazania
Prunus laurocerasus
Hosta 'Krossa Regal'
Taxus baccata
 
Design in Focus

To emphasize the formality of the garden on the other side of the path, this border (of which this is one section) is broken up with yew "buttresses" every 10 feet. Each section contains a simple planting and an urn or feature plant. Foliage is important: the plants need to be shapely and shade tolerant. Seasonal plants in the stone urn can contrast with or complement the surrounding plants.