Garden Notes: Shade Gardening
Canvassing our many inquiries from this Spring, a common query is how to garden in shady locations. To understand the nature of shade, we should first define it. Strictly speaking, shade is the term used to describe some degree of relief from the sun. So, then, shade is just shade? Not exactly.
It is further defined by the season, the time of day, structures casting shade and finally the types, density and ages of the trees casting shade. And let's not forget that we are addressing Texas conditions, not those in New York, Minnesota or California. The intensity of the sun in Texas creates other considerations when choosing plants. Finally, remember that the deeper the shade, the more critical is the watering issue and soil drainage because plants cannot efficiently use the available water when their leaves are not exposed to the sun's rays. Most plants that tolerate shade do not tolerate being kept wet, sometimes even for short periods.
Let's first identify the several types of shade in our home landscapes. Classes of shade are: total shade, dappled shade, high shade and semi-shade, all based on the duration of time without sun coupled with the density of the shade.
NOTE: The examples here are taken from my garden in Southwest Fort Worth. Your experiences could be different, so use these as suggestions. Also, all plants shown were purchased at either Calloway's or Cornelius Nursery, but many were several years ago. Not all plants shown are offered for sale each year, just as there are many plants that are offered for sale but are not in my garden—yet!
Types of Shade
Total Shade - I would describe this as an area on the North side of your home, right against the house, 
where the rays of the sun never reach at any time of the year, and where not even reflected sunlight was available. You might call this ‘deep’ shade. Other total shade locations would be directly underneath a low-branching, large tree, such as a Live Oak, a large Holly tree or a Magnolia. The types of plants that perform well in this condition include English Ivy, Aspidistra, Vinca major.
A similar situation would exist in an area bounded by home and fence, that narrow space where the sun never reaches. Only reflected sunlight would be available for plants. This might also be called full shade. Plants suited to this form of shade include all of the above plants and Carpet Bugle Ajuga, Mondo Grass (both regular and dwarf), Vinca minor, Basketgrass Oplismenus hirtellus (considered a weed by many but an absolutely indestructible groundcover not grown widely), and some varieties of Wandering Jew such as the Speckled Wandering Jew (Tinantia pringlei).
Dappled Shade - Underneath trees where sunlight penetrates the tree canopy and moves over your 
plants as the earth rotates around the sun, dappled shade provides a great type of environment for many plants that just can't tolerate total shade. This is one of the most beneficial types of shade for many plants as long as the soil is prepared correctly. Choose plants like all of the above and Hydrangeas, Hosta, Coral Bells Heuchera, Japanese Maples, Hellebores, Yews (both Taxus and Podocarpus), Grecian Pattern Plant (Acanthus), Inland Sea Oats, several Carex and Acorus varieties, Azaleas, Sweet Box (Sarcococca), Camellias, Coralberry (Symphoricarpos), Strawberry Saxifrage (Saxifraga stolonifera), Solomon's Seal, Lily of the Valley, Toad Lily, Impatiens, Caladiums, Begonias, Variegated Iris (Iris pallida), Asian Jasmine, Liriope, St. Augustine grass and Fescue grass to name just a few.
High Shade - I heard this explained by a colleague who lived in an older neighborhood where there were tall trees, in this case Pine trees. In this type of exposure, the shade is very light and bright, but there is no midday direct sunlight coming through that hits the plants directly. Choose plants from all of the above lists and add Cleyera, some types of Euonymus, Redbuds, some species of Magnolia, Dogwoods, Mahonia, Deutzia, Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans), Banana Shrub (Michelia figo), Variegated Aztec Grass and Variegated Liriope, Dwarf Bamboos (both Sasa pygmaea and variegated Sasaella masamuneana ‘Albostriata’).
Semi-Shade - I’ve characterized this in my garden as those parts where multiple types of shade occur during the day. At high noon, the shade might be dappled, but in the early 
morning or late afternoon the sun peeks underneath the canopy of trees to strike the plants directly for a brief period. Some may also call this ‘part sun’. Include all of the above plants here plus Peony (North Texas only), Sweetspire (Itea), Fringe Tree (Chionanthus), Fothergilla and Nandinas.
These are my own observations, stories and successes. Each situation is different, and who's to say that other plants wouldn't be just as suitable in these conditions, or that plants can cross into other classes than what I've described here. Gardening is an adventure and one that requires a little risk and a lot of imagination!
Another frequent inquiry subject is one of identification. Plants, pests, flowers, bugs, diseases - all of these and more are sent as challenges to help you identify something that you've seen or learn what's going on in your garden. To help with this task, we should remind you that we offer several resources.
For More Information:
Garden Information Center - On our web site, we have a set of pages devoted entirely to problem solving resources. Click here for topics that include Plant Finder, Garden Resources, Problem Identifier and Ask The PlantMaster. Each of these titles offer links to photos, listings and services to help you be a successful gardener.