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Feature Plant

Ligularia stenocephala

'The Rocket'

This tall perennial that grows up to five feet tall will grow well in partial shade in a moist soil.

The Rocket’ has vivid, lemon yellow flowers on tall spikes formed in loose clusters that sit atop purple flower stems, they show in the middle of summer. Ligularia flowers are suitable for flower arrangements.

However, its large, decorative leaves do have the potential of wilting under the hot summer sun, therefore we suggest to plant Ligularia in the shade.

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corner shade bed design

Shade Gardens

As much as people enjoy being in the sunny areas of a colorful garden, they also like to spend time in a shady part of the garden. Shade, with its refreshing moist smell, is inviting as a get away from summer heat. More defined beauty of a shade garden helps us to appreciate its foliage, textures and shades of greens.

As much as shade plants have their place in this habitat, it is also place for benches, statues, bird baths or water features. Having an arbor to define the space of a shade corner might enhance the effect of the special place that you enter to relax.

If you are thinking of planting a shady spot, you can benefit from the beauty of Yew trees (Taxus), Rhododendrons, Hydrangeas, Hostas, Astilbes and ferns. You might want to keep in mind that Hydrangeas complement Rhododendrons. They flower in late summer; on the other hand, Rhododendrons open their showy flowers in the early spring. To ensure co lour in the middle of the summer, you can plant Astilbes or hardy Geraniums, which grow well in the sun or in the shade, and Daylilies. For attractive foliage, Hostas take the lead together with ferns, but I would also like to draw your attention to Ligularia ‘Desdemona’, which has a dark red purplish leaf co lour contrasting with yellow flowers. Another shade loving beauty is X Heuchera ‘Silver Streak’ which can play the role of a groundcover or be planted individually to create contrast with its dark red leaves that have silver streaks in them.

The biggest challenge for shade gardens is usually not the plant selection. The most likely shade spot is located under trees. When planting directly under a large tree, we have to consider that our success is going to be undermined by hard soil lacking oxygen, nutrients and water. Top dressing this area with rich topsoil mixed with compost, peat moss and organic fertilizer is a good idea. Frequent watering and fertilizing is necessary especially when plants are getting established. If you are not ready to give your plants this special attention, you can turn the same area into a place of beauty by carefully choosing attractive mulch -like pine cones or birch bark or simply by covering it with rock.

Shade should not be to the gardener’s disadvantage; it should be an inspiration for creation. The creation of a place where people enjoy the gifts of nature.

Viktorie Hladik

Horticulturist

Landscape Designer

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