Notes from the Garden: Sweet summer shade

On warm, sunny days like today, we can all appreciate those little corners of shade in our gardens. Shade gardens are peaceful, but they can also be colorful and interesting.

I have one area of shade in my garden, right along a fence, and it has been fun to pick and choose which plants might do well there.

Japanese forest grass really stands out in a shade garden and provides interest right through the fall.

Astilbe and coral bells are easy to grow and add lots of color and texture to a shade garden

Columbines and bleeding hearts are beautiful, although I don't always have luck with columbines and am still waiting for this white bleeding heart to bloom

Brunnera "Jack Frost" is another great shade perennial

Shade gardens really benefit from a variety of ground cover like lamium, wild ginger, and sweet woodruff

And let's not forget hostas and ferns: Hostas offer great color and variety, and ferns add much-needed light and airiness to a shade garden

Enjoy your shade!