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Shade Gardening
Shade areas
should be regarded as prime planting and living areas and not dark
difficult corners of the garden, especially in hot, sunny Zambia. In
areas of full shade, light is available but not full sunshine. Semi
shade areas receive direct sunshine for a couple of hours a day or
have dappled shade. Plants in areas with too little light will
become spindly and yellow and will not flower.
There are a
large variety of attractive shade plants available, which include
ferns, succulents, bulbs, herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees. A
mixture of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, asparagus, bulbs and ferns
can make an exciting display of colours, form and texture. Many
shade plants are very effective in pots and hanging baskets and can
be used indoors, on patios and under trees where root growth makes
planting difficult.
Herbaceous
plants need well-drained soil and lots of water. They have to
compete with tree roots for water and nutrients so extra care is
needed. Prepare the soil well with lots of compost and bone meal
before planting. Top dress regularly with compost during the growing
season.
Ferns need a
well drained and rich in humus soil to retain moisture without water
logging. They are shallow rooting and get their nutrients from
decaying leaf litter. Protection against winds, which dry out the
fronds (leaves) is a must, ferns should be kept well watered; soils
should never dry out as the fronds usually die off once withered
from winds or lack of water. Regular feeding with compost or manure
tea will keep ferns actively growing and healthy.
Some asparagus
species are suitable for shade and semi shade. They need a well
drained soil and benefit greatly from organic matter and regular
watering but will also tolerate poor soils. Succulents also thrive
in a shady habitat where they are protected from the hot sun. They
can withstand periodic droughts and grow without much feeding and
are easily propagated. Succulents do best in well-drained soils with
lots of added compost.
Mat-forming or
trailing ground covers are shallow rooting and can cope with root
competition. Plectranthus, Crasula, and Senecio species are popular.
Non-trailing
herbaceous succulents including some gasteria, aloe and sansevieria
species with large erect leaves are effective in-group plantings.
Begonia, Peperomia, and Streplocarpus species are also useful with
showy flowers and foliage. Aglonemia and Diefenbachia with their
showy and variegated foliage can do well if kept out of drafts.
Shade gardens
can be attractive, cool spots in the heat of summer with lots of
lush foliage and flowers.
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August 2004