Give that bare spot beneath a tree's canopy a makeover with this simple small-space shade garden plan. It brims with color and texture that will liven up that dull shady nook you don't know what to do with. Complement the colorful flowers and lush foliage with a few landscaping stones to give the bed an organic look. Find the full plant list and layout diagram below.
Plants for Creating the Small-Space Shade Garden Plan
Low-maintenance shade perennials such as hosta, astilbe, and foamflower offer colorful flowers and lush foliage. Low-growing annual wax begonias and a few autumn crocus ensure continuous blooms from spring until frost.
- 3 Astilbe 'Red Sentinel': Zones 4-8
- 4 Hosta 'Bressingham Blue': Zones 3-10
- 7 Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia): Zones 3-7
- 7 Periwinkle (Vinca minor): Zones 4-9
- 5 Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale): Zones 4-9
- 4 Wax begonia (Begonia semperflorens-cultorum): Annual
If you can't find the exact cultivars listed above, look for with others with similar colors, shapes, and sizes.
Because some plants can become overly aggressive and spread out of control in certain climates, always check which species are considered invasive in your area before planting. For example, in warmer regions, periwinkle is considered invasive. Non-invasive shade-loving alternatives include golden star, native wild ginger, and barren strawberry.
Get the Free Small-Space 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.