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The weather is getting cooler, but contrary to what you might think, fall is a PERFECT time to garden! But what if you don’t have a lot of sunlight? No problem! We’re here with Savannah from Pike Nurseries to show you some great plants that love the fall & winter weather, and thrive in the shade.
"Pike nursery wants to educate the typical gardener about shade, with a look at how it can impact Fall and Winter Gardening” says Savannah.
This Saturday, October 21st they are offering Free classes at 10am at ALL 4 of their Pike locations...to answer questions you may have about Fall and Winter Gardening, and the best plants for cooler weather.
When determining shade remember you need to know what kind of shade you have at home so you can choose the right plants. For instance:
- Partial Shade = 3-6 hours of direct sunlight, AKA “morning sun”
- Full Shade = Less than 3 hours of direct sun.
Once you determine your shade you want to use plants that can thrive in those areas. Annuals and Perennials that do well in the shade are:
- Violas – miniature cousins to pansies. VERY cold tolerant. Can take partial shade, pansies need sun.
- Helleborus – winter flowers with evergreen foliage. Plant now so you can enjoy the blooms when they start.
- Autumn Ferns & Tassel Ferns – great foliage for a shade garden. Autumn Ferns have a unique bronze color to new foliage which looks great with a fall color palette.
- Heuchera – foliage plant with great ruffled leaves year-round. Colors from orange & red to purple/black and lime green.
- Aspidistra (cast iron plant) – can take the deepest shade and lasts thru winter. Also a great houseplant.
Next determine what shrubs and trees will thrive in the shade. Here is a list:
- Japanese Maples – small deciduous trees. Foliage very vibrant/colorful in fall, then you see the attractive trunk & branch system in winter.
- Camellias – evergreen shrubs that shine in fall/winter! 2 types – fall blooming & winter blooming. Plant both for nearly 6 months of color in your landscape!
- Bloom-a-thon Azaleas – a series similar to Encore that repeat bloom in Fall, but more shade tolerant
- Mahonia – bright yellow flowers in winter. Full or part shade.
- Fatsia & Aucuba – 2 evergreen shade shrubs with unique foliage that adds interest to the landscape.
- Red Twig Dogwood – deciduous, partial shade. Red twigs in winter brighten the landscape.
Lastly take a look at ground covering that is sometimes overlooked. If you have a bare spot in the shade where turf grass just won’t grow, groundcovers are what you need. Here are some awesome ground covering options- all shade tolerant and winter hardy:
- Carex ornamental grass,
- Creeping jenny,
- Mondo grass & Liriope
For more information and free classes visit PikeNursery.com or any of Pike Nursery four locations.