Shade perennials can beautify your less-sunny areas with a minimum of effort and time on your part. But they do need attention and care. Follow these tips to ensure your perennial plants always look their best.
Tip 1: Buy Shade Perennials Suited For Your Climate Zone
When buying shade perennials from a catalog or online, it may be tempting to order what looks good only to find that it won’t grow in your particular climate zone. To prevent this from happening buy from local nurseries or at least get their advice as to which shade perennials will prosper where you live. After that, you can buy online or through the catalog by selecting the proper zone.
Tip 2: Plant Shade Perennials in the Right Location
Shade perennials will only do well if planted in the appropriate location. Depending on the variety, this may be a full shade or partial-shade area. Check out the spot in your garden where you anticipate planting your perennials, and make sure you note how many hours (if any) of direct sunlight the area receives each day. Full shade means there is no direct sunlight, while partial shade means only a few hours of sunlight each day. The grower’s tag at the nursery will have an indication of the plant’s sun exposure requirements. For full shade perennials, this may be a blacked-out sun. Partial-shade perennials will possibly show a half-sun with the other half blacked out.
Tip 3 Check Height Requirements for Shade Perennials
To achieve symmetry, you plant the shade perennials according to their growing height. Tall shade perennials such as foxglove (digitalis) should be planted at the back or where you want maximum height. Compact perennial flowers such as coral bells (heuchera) should be placed more toward the front. Rhododendron, bearded iris, hosta, fern and astilbe can be arranged in the middle.
Tip 4 Shade Perennials Need Well-Drained Soil
Nothing kills shade perennials quicker than soggy, matted soil. This contributes to root rot as the perennial plants are unable to get enough oxygen. Before you set your shade perennials into the ground, properly prepare the soil to ensure maximum drainage. Rototill or work the soil and add amendments if necessary.
Tip 5 Fertilize Shade Perennials in Spring
Established shade perennials should be fertilized in early spring, using a 5-10-5 formulation. Use care in fertilizing newly-planted perennials, however, as the nitrogen in some formulas can burn the plants. Working the fertilizer into the ground is best. Granular fertilizers come in two types: quick-release (which can burn plants) and slow-release (less likely to burn). Liquid fertilizer is also available, but many gardeners tend to overdo this application.
Tip 6 Regularly Prune and Weed
To keep shade perennials looking their best, make sure to prune away dead blooms. Weed around the plants so that they are able to get sufficient nutrients and water. A claw-type garden tool works best for weeding between and around plants.
Tip 7 Watch Out For Pests
Some shade perennials are a smorgasbord for snails and slugs. These include foxglove and hostas. To prevent snails and slugs from destroying your perennial plants, apply liberal amounts of slug and snail bait in a circle around each plant that is affected. You will need to re-apply after a week or so. It doesn’t take long for snails and slugs to completely ruin your shade perennials, so keep a close eye on this maintenance task.
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