Plenty of plants will grow in dry shade
I live on an acre with areas baked in sunshine and others shaded by mature trees. When I was younger, I spent more time in the sunny gardens tanning my back while planting, weeding and mulching. As I get older, I prefer gardening in the cooler spots in my landscape. Those shaded spaces are a welcome respite from the hot summer sun.
But those mature trees responsible for the cool shade are silver maples. Their marauding roots deprive surrounding plants of moisture. Even with supplemental watering from soaker hoses, it has been difficult to find plants that will thrive in this hostile environment. Over the years, I have found several plants that perform well in dry shade.
Shrubs
Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica) is indispensable for gardening in dry shade. It grows about 4 feet tall in my garden. Golden yellow flowers bloom for a few weeks in mid-spring and continue sporadically through the summer. Bright green stems shine in the winter garden. Japanese kerria spreads slowly by suckers so give this shrub some room to grow.
False spirea (Sorbaria sorbifolia) is my favorite shrub for dry shade. Another shrub that spreads by suckering, it forms large masses of arching branches with fern-like foliage that unfurls tinted pink in the spring. Large sprays of creamy white flowers bloom in midsummer. It grows 4 to 5 feet tall.
A smaller version of false spirea, Sem grows three to 4 feet tall. New growth in spring boasts shades of red, orange, pink and yellow before turning pale green for the summer. Sem also spreads, but not nearly as aggressively.
Yews (Taxus spp.) play an important role in my landscape. Yews have an unfortunate reputation — not because they are bad plants, but because they are often planted in the wrong places. Sited appropriately, they add structure and winter color. Their short, flat needles are dark green on top and lighter green underneath. New growth in spring is bright green.
Perennials
Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) forms a 12-inch mound of velvety soft green leaves that catch and hold droplets of rain. Chartreuse flowers begin blooming in June. Lady's mantle sometimes self-seeds.
False forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) is a must-have in a dry shade garden. Clouds of blue flowers resembling forget-me-nots cover 12-inch plants from late April to early June. Choose the all green variety or try a variegated type: Alexander's Giant or Jack Frost.
Barrenwort (Epimedium versicolor ‘Sulphureum') slowly spreads to form a 9 inch tall, weed-choking mat of heart-shaped semi-evergreen foliage that is tinted red in spring. Yellow flowers appear in April and May.
Giant Solomon's seal (Polygonatum giganteum) adds architecture with arching stems that grow 3 feet tall. They have spread to form a large colony in my garden. White bell-shaped flowers bloom in May and June. Blue berries appear in fall.
If this is too tall for your garden, try Smooth Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum). Or consider variegated Solomon's seal.
Groundcovers
Spotted deadnettles (Lamium maculatum) cover lots of ground in my landscape. Beacon Silver has dark pink flowers over silvery-white foliage. White Nancy shows off white flowers over similar foliage. Anne Greenaway boasts mauve flowers over leaves that are a blend of dark green, pale green, chartreuse and silver.
Sweet woodruff (Gallium odoratum) is indispensable for gardens in dry shade. Whorled leaves are a charming backdrop for the lacy white flowers in May. Low growing and mat forming, it reduces weeds while adding delightful texture.
If you have given up gardening under thirsty-rooted trees, consider giving it another try. There are plenty of plants that will turn your gardening thumb green.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the garden center manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040, ext. 2, or visit planterspalette.com.