Sittin' in the Shade: Plants that add color and texture

摘要

For years I would get calls and emails from frustrated gardeners having trouble growing plants in the shade. Most of them had simply tried those plants they were familiar with but which were really more appropriate for sunny locations. Shade gardens present a unique opportunity to experiment with plants that have attributes other than bright, showy, season-long flowers. Subtle color variations, softly-colored flowers and texture can often be overpowered and lost in full sunlight. Besides, who wouldn't rather be gardening on a late July afternoon in the shade than the sun. Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun!