Brightening Up A Shady Spot

Shade is a wonderful feature in the landscape as we move into our summer months.  It can also offer an opportunity to include a different palette of beautiful plants the bring color and brighteness to some filtered shade or full shade locations.

Here are a few plants to consider for those low light areas of the yard.

The native oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia will do well in dappled shade spots. The leaves are attractive on their own but the addition of large flowers make it very showy.  This native hydrangea will like a little moisture but soils should be well drained.  A little morning sun is fine but afternoon shade is very helpful as the summer months progress.

The old standard Japanese aucuba, Acuba japonica, is a favorite with it’s green leaves speckled with yellow.  New growth is damaged by sun so this evergreen shrub is best with a good amount of shade. Be sure to place in a spot with good air circulation to make the environment less conducive to some plant pests.

One of the shrimp plants that really needs shade is the White shrimp plant, Justicia betonica.  Although this can be damaged in freezing weather, it is worth replanting every spring in a small grouping.  Plants are easily started from cuttings and sometimes they will return from roots in the protected shade areas.

An annual that is very showy for shade is related to the shrimp plant. Persian shield, Strobilanthes dyerianus is grown for it’s iridescent purple and silver foliage. It thrives in our heat with a little water when rainfall is lacking. It grows well either planted in the ground or in a container to provide bright color amongst the green foliage plants of your shady spot.

Most people know the Cast iron plant, Aspidistra elatior,  which is a full shade plant. Plants that receive too much sunlight with have scalding spots.  Although green foliage is attractive in summer, consider one of the cultivars with various types of variegation.  You may choose a selection with white or yellow stripes through leaves or a plant with lots of white spots throughout green leaves.