Is it possible to have a great garden in the least hospitable conditions imaginable? This garden designed by Susan Calhoun in Bainbridge Island, Washington makes us say, yes! This stunning landscape is sited at the base of a long established forest of maples and firs. Through thoughtful preparation of the planting areas, simplification of the plant palette, and a targeted focus on layering, the designer was able to turn what could have been a nightmare, into a lovely garden, against all odds.

Plant IDs

(Each list corresponds to the photo above it.)

1. Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica, Zones 8–10)
2. Winter Glow bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia ‘Winterglut’, Zones 4–8 )
3. Boxleaf hebe (Hebe buxifolia, Zones 7–10)
4. ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5–9)
5. Joe pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum, Zones 4–8)
6. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus, Zones 5–9)
7. Pine (Pinus cv., Zones 2–9)
8. ‘Inaba Shidare’ weeping Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Inaba Shidare’, Zones 5–8)
9. Alpine water fern (Blechnum penna-marina, Zones 7–9)
10. Gunnera (Gunnera manicata, Zones 7–10)
11. Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum, Zones 5–9)
12. Black bamboo and yellow bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra and Phyllostachys aurea, Zones 6–10)

1. Crimson Fans mukdenia (Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’, Zones 4–8)
2. Golden spike moss (Selaginella kraussiana ‘Aurea’, Zones 8–10)
3. Golden sweet flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’, Zones 5–9)
4. Pine (Pinus cv., Zones 2–9)
5. Crimson Fans mukdenia (Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’, Zones 4–8)
6. ‘Sunshine’ golden privet (Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’, Zones 6–9)
7. ‘Golden Lights’ exbury azalea (Azalea ‘Golden Lights’, Zones 3–7)
8. Dwarf Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus ‘Nana’, Zones 3–8)
9. Weeping Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum cv., Zones 5–8)
10. Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis, Zones 4–8)
11. Tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum, Zones 5–8)
12. ‘Obsidian’ heuchera (Heuchera obsidian, Zones 4–8)

1. Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis, Zones 4–8)
2. ‘Green Sheen’ Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Sheen’, Zones 4–8)
3. ‘Obsidian’ heuchera (Heuchera obsidian, Zones 4–8)
4. Golden sweet flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’, Zones 5–9)
5. Tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum, Zones 5–8)
6. Weeping Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum cv., Zones 5–8)
7. ‘Sunshine’ golden privet (Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’, Zones 6–9)

To learn more about designing dry shade gardens, check out the full Dry Shade Done Simply article.

Susan Calhoun is the owner of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Photos: Joshua McCullough