Plants That Work In The Shade

Brighten Shady Spots With A Shade Garden by Plant by Number

Not sure what to plant in those dim corners of your yard? The Shade Garden Plant by Number turns those tricky shady areas into lush, layered garden spaces with rich textures, bold foliage, and soft seasonal blooms. Whether it’s beneath trees, along the north side of your home, or in a woodland edge, this 12 by 9-foot garden plan transforms low-light spaces into standout features.

Designed by landscape architect Katie Weber, this garden thrives in full shade to part shade and is perfect for USDA growing zones 5 to 8. With a mix of shade-loving shrubs, evergreen texture, vibrant foliage, early and late-season blooms, and architectural plants, the layout offers year-round appeal. From the deep green fronds of ferns to the golden glow of Japanese Forest Grass, every plant plays a part in creating a calming, woodland-inspired oasis.

What’s Included in the Shade Garden Plan

This shade-loving 12-foot by 9-foot garden bed works well in:

• Wooded yards and beneath large trees
• Along fences or house foundations on the shady side
• Around patios and seating areas in filtered light
• Courtyards or enclosed gardens with low sun exposure
• Shady cottage gardens

Your downloadable garden plan includes a planting layout, spacing guide, and plant care tips so you can create a designer-quality shade bed without guesswork. Then our experts ship your plants to your doorstep along with the easy-to-follow kit!

This low-light plant palette includes:

• 1 pink-flowering Rhododendron for spring blooms and evergreen structure
• 3 Ferns (Autumn Brilliance, Japanese Painted, or Ostrich) for texture and movement
• 1 Clumping Bamboo for height and architectural flair that stays in bounds
• 3 Lenten Roses for evergreen foliage and early spring flowers in varied shades
• 3 Sedge Grass for a graceful, flowing texture and groundcover benefits
• 1 purple Astilbe for feathery mid-season blooms and deep color
• 3 Variegated Hosta for bold, patterned foliage that brightens the shade
• 1 Japanese Forest Grass for golden mounding form and fine texture

Chosen by our experts at the nursery to work best together, these plants offer contrast, softness, height, and seasonal interest in tough-to-plant shady spaces.

Step by Step: How to Install a Plant by Number Garden

1. Pick Your Plan: Download the Shade Garden PDF, including layout and step-by-step instructions. (Available in the kit delivered by Nature Hills)
   
   
2. Prep Your Site: Remove weeds, debris, and competing roots if necessary. Loosen soil and amend with compost
   
   
3. Lay Out the Design: Use the diagram to place plants according to the spacing guide
   
   
4. Dig and Plant: Dig holes twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth as in the pot
   
   
5. Water and Mulch: Water regularly during the first year using the Finger Test. Water deeply and apply a 3 to 4 inch layer of arborist mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
   
   
6. Maintain and Enjoy: Follow the included care guide for tips on watering, trimming, and long-term success

Caring for and Maintaining Your Shade Garden

This shady combination is packed with tough, adaptable plants that thrive in low light and bring beauty with minimal effort.

• Reapply arborist mulch each spring to retain soil moisture
• Prune Bamboo to maintain size or remove older stems as needed
• Remove spent blooms from Astilbe and Rhododendron
• Cut back Ferns and Hostas in late fall or early spring
• Lenten Roses need minimal care and may self-seed over time for a natural look
• Divide perennials like Astilbe, Ferns, and Hostas every 3-5 years to prevent overcrowding

Bring Light to the Shade

The Shade Garden by Plant by Number turns overlooked shady corners into refined and restful spaces filled with texture, movement, and subtle color. This elegant mix of flowering plants, bold foliage, and evergreen structure brings balance and softness to the darkest parts of your yard. Whether you're building a seating area or want a peaceful retreat beneath your trees, this plan gives you the design and confidence to make the shade shine.

Order your Shade Garden plan today and start planting a stunning woodland escape. Nature Hills will deliver your kit and the plants to your doorstep at the proper planting time for your growing zone.