The Pleasures of Gardening

problem

The garden is shady

 solution 1 Grow flowering plants

If your shade is dappled from shadows cast by deciduous trees, you can plant a colorful spring garden of sun-loving plants. The earliest bulbs, such as snowdrops, crocus, early daffodils and bluebells, all grow well under almost any deciduous tree. Bulbs that bloom in mid-spring, such as many daffodils, corydalis, and windflowers (Anemone Handal grow best under trees that come into leaf late. Early-blooming perennials, such as astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii), American columbine (Aquilegia canadensis),

Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and primroses (Primula spp.), will also thrive under trees that come into leaf late in the spring. Many of these spring-flowering plants become lovely focal points later in the season thanks to their foliag. You will find that spring flowers, such as bluebells, daffodils and crocus, grow well under the cover of almost any deciduous tree.

solution 2 Prune nearby trees

If low-hanging tree branches are casting shade on your garden, the answer is to carry out some careful pruning.

In late winter or very early spring, remove the bottom branches from the offending trees. If you cut just beyond the collar it ensures that the wound will heal quickly. Remove only a few branches from each tree, taking care that the growth is balanced around the trunk and that you leave enough branches to keep it healthy.

You may want to hire a professional for this job with greater expertise and the tools required.

1 Remove any small and spindly branches growing from the main trunk, using a sharp pair of pruning shears. Take care not to damage the bark on the tree trunk.

2 Remove the bulk of any large branches using a bow saw. Cut the branch from underneath, 8-15cm (3-6) inches from the point where it joins the tree trunk.

3 Next, saw from above, 8cm (3 inches) farther from the trunk. As you saw, the branch will split to the first cut without tearing the uncut branch.

solution 3 Brighten dark areas with whites and pastels

Dark corners can seem to disappear, making the garden seem smaller than it is. If you want to brighten them up and make them a part of the visual landscape, you'll have to create some illusions with colorful plants.

White and pastel flowers, as well as plants with grey leaves, can make these areas more prominent. Choose a tall background plant, such as foxglove (Digitalis grandiflora) or kirengeshoma (Kirengeshoma palmata) for a site with damp soil and fairy lanterns (Disporum flavum) for a dry one. Using the Shade-Loving Plants lists, opposite, as well as other resources, fill in the area with a selection of white and pale-blooming plants that will brighten it up.

White and creamy yellow flowers and foliage brighten dark corners that may be overshadowed by trees.