| Here are a few tips for planting a garden that thrives | | | | a pH testing kit. Look for soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5; |
| in partial or full shade. | | | | this level of acidity is ideal for many shade plants. |
| Watch the shade. There are many different types of | | | | Select shade-growing plants. Most brightly blooming |
| shade, and they all allow different plants to grow. It's | | | | plants require full sun. In a shade garden, the beauty |
| often best to plant in an area that gets at least a | | | | and variety will come from differing textures and |
| little direct sunlight, preferably during the morning; | | | | beautiful foliage rather than colourful flowers. |
| shade in the afternoon protects plants from | | | | Shade gardens present different challenges than |
| excessive midday heat. | | | | you'd see with a garden that receives full sun. Be |
| Plot it out. Before you plant your garden, watch your | | | | sure you know what kind of shade you have, and |
| shade. Plot out which areas have direct exposure to | | | | where light and shadow fall at different times of the |
| sunlight during the day, what times of day and for | | | | day and the year. In addition, know your soil and |
| how long. | | | | take steps to improve it if additional nutrients are |
| Check for tree roots. Tree roots can monopolize the | | | | needed. With these steps, you should be able to plan |
| water supply, so be sure the area where your | | | | a shade garden that will look beautiful throughout the |
| planting isn't completely dominated by them. | | | | growing season. |
| Check your soil. You can test your soil yourself using | | | | |