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Grow it: a moody part shade garden
17
items I live in 6b and have been developing what once was an overgrown mess of a woods into a moody, lush corner of my garden. Here’s everything you need to start!
Sections
5
Trees
Shrubs
Groundcover
Other
Upkeep
Trees
The main structure
Lots of spring color
The pop of pink is perfect after a long winter
Eastern Redbud Pink Flowering Ornamental Tree REDBUD05G
Dogwoods are among my favorite. The white flowers are so beautiful in the spring. Go multistem if you can for some additional interest.
Southern Planters 1 -Gallon Flowering Cloud 9 Dogwood In pot (with soil)
Gets the sweetest airy white flowers in spring
Online Orchards 1 Gal. Pacific Serviceberry Deciduous Native Tree SBSR001
Shrubs
Some understory plants for once the trees get going - but these are all gorgeous in their own right!
Star of the show. Moody, loves shade but tolerates morning sun. Gorgeous contrast with the redbud and white azaleas in early spring.
Rhododendron Dark Lord - Very Dark Maroon Bloom - Hardy to -10 F degrees - Will Grow to Five Feet Tall - One Gallon Size
These like morning sun and mine have done great in clay soil
National Plant Network 1 -Gallon Azalea Flowering Shrub with White Blooms 1 -Pack
The fragrance on these is unreal and they have the prettiest purple blooms.
Online Orchards 1 Gal. Miss Kim Lilac Flowering Shrub with Profuse Fragrant Blossoms FLLI002
The medium shade purple adds a nice layer against the dark rhododendron and eastern redbud
PROVEN WINNERS 2 Gal. Dandy Man Purple Rhododendron Live Flowering Shrub with Purple Flowers PWRHO2PUR1PK
These get 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide! Prefer full shade but mine get morning sun and are happy as long as you keep them watered.
National Plant Network 5.5 -in Godzilla Painted Fern 1 -Pack - Low Maintenance Lowes.com
The silvery veining is striking. The Jack Frost is cute but if you have the space and can find one, get the King Frost- much bigger leaves for a statement
Proven Winners 1 -Gallon Blue 'Jack of Diamonds' Heartleaf Brunnera 1.0 -Pack Lowes.com
These will spread prolifically to make essentially a groundcover. Love wet and soggy soil too.
Monrovia 2.6 -Quart Fern The King Ostrich 1 -Pack - Low Maintenance
Groundcover
Necessary to crowd out the weeds.
Excellent ground cover. Thrives on neglect. Spreads quickly. Happy in my clay soil. Can be easily divided. Gets a cute blue flower
. Chocolate Chip Bugleweed Ajuga Perennial Plant with Blue Flowers
Slow growing at first but a very pretty groundcover
15 Wild Ginger Plants Asarum Canadense Bare Root Wildflower Native Perennial
Other
A little walkway is so nice to help you water your plants in the back
Oldcastle Epic Stone 15 75 in x 13 78 in x 2 in Gray Charcoal Irregular Concrete Step Stone 12052385 314944217
Upkeep
If you’re clearing existing woods it will be a battle. I reach for each of these on a weekly basis. Good luck 🍀
If I could have one garden tool it would be this. Grabs weeds by the root so easily. Spurge, crabgrass, sedge, you name it. This tool is sturdy and well made and honestly I’d pay double.
Japan Nejiri Gama Hoe New
These are thick enough to protect your hands but nimble enough to still feel what you’re doing
HANDLANDY Rose Pruning Thorn Proof Gloves
Small enough to tote around easily but gets the job done!
CRAFTSMAN V20 4in Cordless Grass & Hedge Trimmer
You don’t think you need this until you do. Get the one with the arm extender! Trust me.
Fiskars 28” Garden Bypass Loppers, Tree Trimmer