10 Combinations for Shade

The secret is in using color to pump up the interest in low-light spots

by Inta Krombolz

When it comes to gardening, shade is a lot like a rainstorm at a picnic: It isn't in your ideal plan, but you have to make the best of the situation.

Here are some shade combinations that will make low-light areas pop. Click on any image to open an enlarged version with the plants identified.

Combo #1

1. ‘Nikko’ deutzia (Deutzia crenata var. nakaiana ‘Nikko’, Zones 4-8)
2. ‘Othello’ ligularia (Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’, Zones 4-8)
3. ‘Sagae’ hosta (Hosta ‘Sagae’, Zones 3-9)
4. ‘Mt. Fuji’ Japanese iris (Iris ensata ‘Mt. Fuji’, Zones 3-9)
5. ‘Spectabile’ knotweed (Polygonum ‘Spectabile’, Zones 5-9)
6. Purple perilla (Perilla frutescens ‘Atropurpurea’, annual)

Click to enlarge and see all six plants.

Combo #2

1. ‘Ice Dance’ variegated sedge (Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’, Zones 5-9)
2. Hosta (Hosta cv., Zones 3-9)
3. ‘Baggesen’s Gold’ boxleaf honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida ‘Baggesen’s Gold’, Zones 6-9)
4. ‘Yoshino’ Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Yoshino', Zones 6-9)
5. Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’, Zones 2-6)
6. ‘Anceps’ fountain bamboo (Fargesia nitida 'Anceps', Zones 5-9)