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Published on July 27, 2024 • Last updated 39 minutes ago • 3 minute read
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Ostrich ferns thrive in dry, shady gardens. Courtesy of Deborah Meyer
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Gardening in the shade can be difficult. Gardening in dry, shady locations is even more difficult, and in Calgary's semi-arid climate, shade gardens are often dry. Luckily, with some advance preparation and careful plant selection, you can still have a beautiful garden even in a dry, shady location.
First, it's wise to assess the location. How much light does the location get? Full shade is less than four hours per day, partial shade is four to six hours of sun per day. How dry is the soil? Does it absorb moisture from rain, or is it in a rain shadow, such as on the north side of a building or under dense trees or shrubs?
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In the driest and most shady conditions, planting is not recommended. In areas where sunlight and moisture cannot penetrate, such as under building overhangs, or in full shade under shallow-rooted trees such as Colorado spruce, a single layer of decorative mulch is often sufficient.
With careful plant selection, you can create a beautiful shade garden. Courtesy of Deborah Meyer
One of the most common questions I get is “what grows under a spruce tree?” My answer is “nothing grows.” This isn't entirely true, but very little will grow under a spruce tree unless you water the area frequently. I don't recommend trying it, and I don't recommend cutting the bottom branches of a spruce tree with the intention of planting plants under it.
The most amazing solution to a spruce glut was one I saw at the Calgary Horticultural Society's Open Garden. The front yard was almost completely shaded by a few spruce trees. The homeowner covered the ground with wood chip mulch and added some beautiful containers of shade plants and some amazing sculptures. It was simple, elegant and beautiful.
Preparing the site for a dry shade garden is the first step to a success. If trees or shrubs are blocking sunlight, one solution for most trees (except spruce) is to prune or thin out the branches. We highly recommend hiring an International Arborist (ISA)-certified arborist rather than trying to do it yourself.
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Adding a few inches of organic matter such as compost, shredded leaves, mushroom compost or aged manure to the soil will help retain moisture. If you are planting under an already-grown tree, avoid cutting the roots. Place 15 to 20 inches of organic mulch over the top of the garden. Water new plantings at least once a week for the first year, more often if the soil is dry. If you choose drought-tolerant plants, in subsequent years they will only need additional watering during extended periods of drought.
Snowberries do well in shady gardens. Courtesy of Deborah Meyer
Woody plants
Woody plants add height and structure to your garden and add interest in the winter. Woody plants that thrive in Calgary's dry, shady conditions include:
• Chokecherry is a small native tree that produces white flowers in the spring and attractive, astringent red fruit that can be used to make a delicious jelly or syrup. Be careful, as this tree can develop tails.
•Dwarf European cranberry is a hardy shrub that tolerates dry shade and has small, neat, dark green, maple-like leaves.
•White snowberry is a shoot-bearing shrub suitable for borders, hedges or growing wild in woodlands. The white berries sparkle in a shady winter garden.
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• Ninebark is drought tolerant once established and many varieties can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be reduced.
Barrenwort thrives in a shady spot in the garden. Courtesy of Deborah Meyer
Perennials
For a dry, shady garden, there are plenty of perennials to choose from. Some have beautiful flowers and variegated or brightly colored leaves to brighten up dark corners. Many spread vigorously in optimal growing conditions, but usually spread less in drier, shadier spots. Most of these are growing in my garden.
Lady's mantle, goat beard, wild ginger, bergenia, Siberian forget-me-not, lily of the valley (but be careful as it can grow too aggressively even in dry shade), barrenwort, big root geranium (recommended for even the toughest sites), hosta, yellow archangel, spotted dead nettle (White Nancy is a relatively easy cultivar to grow), false Solomon's seal, ostrich fern, Solomon's seal, lungwort, lesser periwinkle.
Native perennials
Choose native perennials that do well in dry, shady conditions.
Canada anemone, bunchberry, northern bedstraw, benny meadowru, early blue velvet viola.
Plant a few pots of shade-tolerant annuals such as impatiens, begonias, broccoli, lobelia, wishbone flowers and fuchsias, and don't forget a sculpture or two – that tricky, dry, shady patch may become a favorite part of your garden.
Ann van de Liep writes on behalf of the Calgary Horticultural Society.
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