Many yards in this area are a little on the shady side, with the abundance of pines and hardwoods that grow in the area. You can have a nicely landscaped yard where there is shade when you choose the appropriate plant materials.

There are trees, shrubs, ground cover and perennials that grow well in shady areas.

Trees that grow well in these areas include red buds, dogwoods and magnolias. If you place them properly in your landscape and natural areas, you will be pleased with the results. Consider having a landscape design professional help you with the proper placement of trees in your landscape.

There are also many shrubs that thrive in shaded areas. A few examples are azalea, rhododendrons, skimmia, leucothoe, spreading yew, upright yew, mahonia, aucuba and pieris. For semi-shade areas, consider using hydrangea, azalea, gardenia, hollies, anise, cleyera, ligustrum, camellia, sasanqua and laurels.

Since perennial gardens are becoming popular there are many varieties to use in shaded areas including: Hosta Lily, which has great leaf color; Astilbe which has feather-like flowers in the spring; ferns come in many varieties; Huechera, Jacob’s Ladder and Colombine are also good choices.

Ground covers are being used more instead of grass in shady areas and are also great to use near steps and rocks. Some good ground cover choices include pachysandra, Vinca Minor or Major, ajuga, ivy, Asiatic Jasmine, Acorus Grass, big blue and variegated liriope, mondo grass, dwarf mondo grass and creeping raspberry.

When designed properly, shady areas can look beautiful. Browse all the available shade plants and consider where they can compliment your landscaping.

Happy gardening.