Many gardeners already know that most shade-loving plants prefer moist soils, so when a gardener encounters an area that has dry and shady conditions, it can provide a special challenge.
You may have an area in your yard that is quite dry and shady because it’s under a grove of trees or the eaves of the house or another outbuilding. Or maybe it’s just a shady part of your yard, possibly sheltered by a fence or wall, with well-drained soil, such as sand.
Many gardeners are reluctant to produce a perennial bed in moist shade, never mind in shady locations with dry soils. But with a few hints and tips, you will soon be enjoying perennials, annuals or both in one of these challenging areas in your yard.
When preparing the dry area for planting, I recommend adding about 25 cm of good quality topsoil if you are starting with virtually no soil and if you have some in place already, add a very generous layer of organic compost (also 25 cm) to the top and work it in.
Once you have the plants planted and established, I recommend adding a layer of organic mulch (bark, woodchips or straw) to the surface of the soil to help retain the moisture. Even after all this soil amendment you will still have to water the garden artificially and frequently, even if you have an above average rainfall during the growing season because the tree branches will prevent the rain from reaching the soil.
Another way to enhance your success at shade gardening, in dry conditions, is to adapt the species of plant that you are using to those that thrive in these conditions. The following perennial plants will perk up any dry, shady spot in your garden: barren strawberry, perennial geranium, barrenwort,Lamium, heart-leaved Bergenia, sweet woodruff, bearberry, lamb’s ear, European bistort (bottle brush), lungwort, Hosta, and silver mound.
I have also found that columbine, Siberian iris, daylilies and astilbe have been successful in my extremely dry conditions.And to further add interest and colour, there are also some great annuals to consider such asbegonias, impatiens, monkey flower, dusty miller, alyssum and portulaca are good choices that can tolerate drier shady conditions. Annuals can be added right in the ground or try planting in coloured containers, placed strategically in the desired area for and extra pop of colour and dimension, in the depths of the shade.
In summary, my No. 1 tip is to water frequently and do not assume that rainfall alone is enough moisture for this location. You must remember that the barriers that create the shady conditions most likely also prevent full penetration of precipitation especially when it was a light rain. So, plan accordingly to establish a supplemental watering schedule throughout the growing season and right up until the ground freezes.
I assure you, with my sandy soils and the last two very dry summers and falls, I was watering my gardens regularly until the end of October. Extra work, yes, but it pays off by reducing winter mortality and in normal moisture years it is a jungle out there and the plants are thriving. And always, no matter where you plant any new shrubs or perennials, always be sure to water well in the first couple of months while they’re getting established.
I have to admit, I planted a shady woodland garden on my very dry shady property over 10 years ago, thinking it was going to be low maintenance and easy to maintain. Well, it wasn’t, and in the first few years it was trial and error to establish with the right plants and successfully maintain the moisture levels. But I have persevered and now I have a very well-established woodland garden that with a supplemental watering schedule is thriving. So, by following my tips in this column, which come from the trials and tribulations of establishing my own garden in a challenging growing condition, you too can have great success.
