Stupid question? But actually there are different levels of shade. Plants are sensitive to the degree of shade. In a forest or very heavy planting of trees, there may be no sun reaching the ground at all. On the north side of a large building, no sun may ever touch the ground near that building. This is FULL SHADE.

Under a tallish or smallish tree, there may be dappled sun and shade. On the east or west side of the house there may be a period of 4 to 6 hours of sun reaching the ground. This is considered PART SHADE (or part sun, depending on your perspective!) Part shade is better for flowering plants than full shade. Part shade is what most gardeners have -- that area ""out there"" where there’s sun for just a part of the day. The following suggestions are based on areas which do get a little sun -- those which fit into the category of ""Part Shade.""

For a Shade Garden One of the biggest challenges of growing in shade is the existence of tree roots just where you want to grow flowers! It’s going to be difficult to grow your flowers with a lot of roots in the way, because the tree roots will compete with your flowers for water and GUESS which will win! So in an area like this, dig or at least loosen the soil for your flower garden down to about 12"", remove the roots, add organic material (such as peat moss) before you plant. If the soil is dry, water well.

ANNUAL FLOWERS FOR SHADE

Impatiens is probably the best-known flower for shade. But it’s NOT the only one! Try some of these: Ageratum, balsam (a close relative of impatiens), wax begonia, candytuft, coleus, lobelia, nicotiana and pansy. Ferry-Morse also has an interesting mixture of wildflowers for partial shade!

PERENNIAL AND BIENNIAL FLOWERS

For Shade Anchusa, bellflower, Canterbury bells, columbine, dame’s rocket, delphinium, forget me not, foxglove, Jacob’s ladder, Jupiter’s beard, linum, lunaria, lupine, rock cress, salvia, sweet william, veronica and viola. Take me to Flower Seeds.

HOW TO GROW HOSTAS, THE QUEENS OF SHADE

You can easily grow Hostas almost anywhere in shade or part shade (where there’s morning sun). The plants are very hardy and need no fussing. They grow reliably in Zones 3 through 8, because they do require some winter dormancy. Where should you plant them? Hostas do very well along the foundation of house or fence; as a border along a walk, or around flower beds or shrubs; in a group under trees or around a flagpole; or in a separate bed in a shady location. Set a gazing ball or garden sculpture in the center of your hosta planting, and you’ll have a lovely focal point to enjoy for years and years.

SHADE PLANT COMBINATIONS

In the shade, lighter colors often show off best. You definitely want to have flowers which bloom over a long period, or several flowers which bloom at different times. Many new gardeners are not quite sure how to put plants together for a pretty effect. The Easy Shade Garden, pictured above, includes eleven different kinds of flowers. This specially designed garden includes a really lovely combination of annual flowers: coleus, balsam, nicotiana, two impatiens, two pansies, two violas, lobelia and ageratum. Take me to flower seeds.

VEGETABLES AND HERBS FOR SHADE

Sorry to say it’s difficult at best, and more apt impossible, to grow vegetables and herbs in full shade. These plants may grow but not well and, when it comes to producing flowers and fruits, they will be at a great disadvantage. If you have 4 to 6 hours of sun, you can grow leaf crops such as lettuce and spinach, and possibly herbs such as chives, garlic chives and parsley. However, all these will do better in full sun SO the best advice remains to plant vegetables and herbs in sun (no shadows from house or trees all day). If you don't have a garden area like this, try getting a space at a community garden, or grow in containers which can be moved around to follow the sun.