Shady Yard Ideas for the Best Landscape

Some people may prefer their area all bright from the Sun. Others enjoy the shade. At the same time, some may have limited choices because of how and where their houses are situated. And while it is easier to landscape clear areas, fret not if you have a shady yard. Landscaping a shady yard is manageable. Listed are some shady yard ideas you can consider.

Plan

First and foremost, plan to landscape successfully, create a plan tailored accordingly. Consider the environmental conditions of your plants as well as the size of the space that you have. Do not forget to anticipate the budget you will need for materials and maintenance. Conceptualize a garden style that you want. Be consistent and stick with your choice. 

Consider the Area

Of course, don’t forget to check your soil type. Consider your soil’s ability to retain or drain moisture. Areas under large trees tend to be dry. It is also common in places that are against the walls facing away from the wind. The soil will appear sandy or chalky. In comparison, damp areas are found in cool and moist woodland places. It is also common for locations near a body of water. 

Choose the right plants.

Choose the plants you will put in your landscape wisely. A standard error of landowners is that they put plants in areas where they don’t belong. Some buy attractive plants without considering their needs. Since it will not receive much light, consider shade-tolerant plants such as foxglove, hosta, and rhododendron shrubs. You can also add crawling plants such as vinca minor vines and spotted dead nettles.

A practical shady yard idea is to pick easy-to-care plants. Begonias are an excellent choice for this. They add color to your garden no matter what the weather is. They will bloom even without getting Sun. For added texture, pair colorful begonias with ferns.

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Colored Flowers

Brightly colored flowers will be useful to light up the shadows. They also provide fragrance in your garden. The lush greens will pair up nicely with white flowers. There are other options like Dicentra, Snowdrops, and Pulmonaria. Dicentra is a perennial that have strings of heart-shaped flowers with blue-green foliage. Snowdrops will pop through snow, providing a white blanket. In contrast, Pulmonaria has funnel-shaped blooms that turn blue after blooming in pink. Pulmonaria is an ideal garden border.

Add Features

Consider adding a garden path. It will help create a destination among your plants. Integrate the path into your landscape by using a complementary color. Repurpose the unused, shady spots in your yard by adding features. You can incorporate benches. That way, you will have a place you can unwind in. Hence, you can save a lot by doing creative works with materials you do not use anymore. Add garden accents and objects. Utilize your artistic side to add flair to your landscape. Another shady yard idea to consider is adding water features. Streams will be perfect in your garden. It may also have a sensory appeal, especially with the relaxing sound of trickling water. 

One of the easiest shady yard ideas to think of is to incorporate pots. You can quickly relocate your pots when the situation calls for it. The pots can even add colors to your garden. You have to be creative with it. 

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Lessen grass

Grass prefers areas that receive ample sunlight. They may be challenging to manage in shady areas. But if you want them to be a part of your garden, allot a small space. You do not want to spend most of your gardening efforts fighting a big patch of fading grass. You may make it as a landscape element and surround it with shade-loving plants. Or better yet, choose shade-loving groundcovers such as ajuga and heuchera.

Brighten up

Shady areas may give off a gloomy ambiance. Shady yard ideas to liven it up are to combine plants with different foliage colors and textures. Create a bold and dramatic statement by pairing leaves with opposite characteristics. If you do not want to be experimental, add bright-colored plants. Plants and flowers with shades of yellow and gold will shine in your garden. 

Reduce shade

A foolproof shady yard idea is, of course, to reduce shade in your garden. You can prune low branches. It will allow light to pass through. You may also thin out branches in the canopy. 

Sometimes, it is hard to avoid shades in landscaping. While this will be good for specific plants, it may make landscaping challenging. Before you get discouraged, keep in mind that landscaping in shady areas is possible. You can do it alone by following the tips mentioned above.