Shady BusinessMay 28, 2014
Do you have shady spots in your backyard that you don’t know what to do with? You may have tried to grow sun-loving flowers here, with no results. But don’t fret; these areas don’t have to be devoid of life. There’s a good selection of plants that can thrive in shade. You just have to choose the right one. Here is a list of five good flowers with which to start your garden.
In order to properly plant the flowers below, it’s necessary to establish definitions for the various levels of shade. Shade means an area that receives less than two hours of sunlight per day, while partial shade gets two to four hours of sunlight per day. Partial light refers to areas that get a mixture of sunlight and shade, typically as light filters through trees or areas that receive four to six hours of sunlight per day. Full sun means at least six to eight hours of sun per day.
These flowers are one to two inches long and grow in a combination of colors from the pink, red, and purple range. They flourish in shade or partial shade. Apply water-soluble fertilizer designed for blooming plants every 10 to 14 days. They attract hummingbirds to your garden. Fuchsias may stop blooming at temperatures over 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
These plants have green leaves and produce 1-inch blooms that range in color from pure white to deep shades of pink, red and orange. They work well as bedding plants or for hanging baskets or containers. They work best in partial or filter light, preferring morning or afternoon shade. These tidy, mounding plants make for low-maintenance garden additions.
Lobelias produce tiny flowers that range from white to blue, purple and red. They are ideal for hanging in baskets or trailing over the edge of containers and work best in partial shade to full sun. They also do well in cool areas, spaced four to six inches apart in the garden or other containers.
Begonias have waxy green, red or bronze leaves and can grow to heights of 12 inches. The flowers grow in a range of colors, from salmon to orange and yellow. They work best in full or partial shade.
These bloom in early spring, and their blossoms range in color from white and yellow to deep shades of purple, red and blue. Pansies prefer cooler weather and work best in partial shade to full sun. Space them six to nine inches apart.