Native Plant Shade Garden

  Determine the various degrees of shade in your yard. How much sunlight areas receive—and when they receive it—dictates what kind of plants will thrive there.
  Dew dries faster in areas that receive morning sunlight, so use plants there that require moderate or drier conditions.
  Poor soil often hampers shade gardens more than lack of sunlight, so liberally add organic matter in spring, fall or whenever preparing a new garden. Be careful not to disturb tree roots.
  Under deciduous trees, plant bulbs that will bloom before shady canopies develop. Smaller bulbs hat naturalize—or spread on their own—work best, such as crocuses, daffodils, grape hyacinths and winter aconite.
  Help conserve moisture and add nutrients and organic matter by mulching with shredded leaves, evergreen needles and other organic materials.
  When you lay out new flower beds, take heed of the shadows thrown off by nearby buildings, shrubs and trees.
  Use shade-loving shrubs to anchor beds, add height and structure, and provide a dark backdrop off which bright blooms visually pop. Good choices nclude azalea, camellia, dogwood, hydrangea and rhododendron