New to Gardening? Use This Beginner Garden for Shade Plan to Get Started

2015-06-09
New to Gardening? Use This Beginner Garden for Shade Plan to Get Started

When you're just starting out in gardening, it's a good idea to go slow and keep things simple. For example, if you have shady corners of your yard that you're looking to fill, try creating shade gardens filled with perennials. This beginner garden for shade plan weaves together a handful of low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plants to create a beautiful display that's practically foolproof. Find the complete plant list and illustrated planting plan below.

Plants for the Beginner Shade Garden Plan

A witch hazel shrub serves as a focal point, especially when it begins blooming in late winter before its leaves appear. The cheerful flowers of astilbe and false forget-me-not keep up the floral show in spring, while the striking variegated leaves of hosta and Solomon's seal ensure that the garden looks colorful even when nothing is blooming.

If you aren't able to find the exact varieties of the plants listed above, substitute with others that are similar in color, shape, and size.

Some plants can become overly aggressive and spread out of control in certain climates so before planting something new, always check which species are considered invasive in your area.

Get the Free Beginner Shade Garden Plan

This garden design includes an illustrated version of the planted garden, a detailed layout diagram, a list of plants for the garden as shown, and complete instructions for installing the garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do beginner gardeners need to start out?

    When you're at a beginner skill level, the first thing you need to do is find a good location for your garden, then gather your tools. Some of the basics include shovels, rakes, watering cans, trowels, and pruning shears.

  • How big should a beginner garden be?

    As tempting as it is to fill every available space with plants, a good size for a beginner garden is about 100 square feet or less. You can always expand over time as you get a better idea of the garden maintenance involved.

  • What are the different types of shade?

    Plants that require partial shade require 2-6 hours of shade per day. Meanwhile, plants that require full shade need less than 3 hours of sunlight per day.

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