A Perennial Shade Garden Performance

A Perennial Shade Garden Performance

A Perennial Shade Garden Performance

By Brenda Evans, Master Gardener

Let me set the stage for you. Imagine a south-facing backyard garden with two large spruce (Picea) trees alongside a wooden fence on the west side, a flowering almond tree (Prunus triloba) and flowering crabapple (Malus spp) opposite them, and a black ash tree (Fraxinus nigra) on the south end. The roots of these large trees are always thirsty, resulting in a dry-shade condition for those in the understory. They are happy in the spring to receive dappled morning sunlight through the branches of the flowering almond and flowering crabapple trees which are still leafing up. The excitement builds as the new season approaches and the cast of characters begin to take their place on the stage. This is what we’ve been anxiously awaiting for months.

The first bloomers to arrive to the party are the Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis), a long-blooming woodland perennial, and the Western Canada white violet (Viola rugulosa). Oxslip primrose (Primula elatior) stands proud at the front of the stage, happy in this fully shaded spot.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria cv) doesn’t mind the dry shade either and is a good companion for the yellow archangel lamium (Lamium galeobdolon), ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), and a variety of hostas.

Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum) and star-flowered Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum stellatum) stretch in the background in the heavily-shaded spot under the spruce trees, alongside the ostrich ferns. The flowers of the blood-red cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) and ‘pink pewter’ lamium (Lamium maculatum) are quick to follow the others with their flowers. The flowering almond and flowering crabapple are now bursting with blossoms and the showy, cream-coloured plumes of goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) add to the drama on the stage. These arrivals have now caught the attention of small bees and other pollinators who happily dance among the cast, collecting pollen and nectar.

The first act blends into the next with a rapid flush of activity. The yellow-flowering display of Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) in its partially-shaded setting looks impressive with the gorgeous white blooms of panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) and dramatic white spikes of Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum). Unfortunately, the aggressive valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has had to be removed from the performance. Due to its invasive and destructive behaviour, it will not be invited back. Bees and butterflies soar to native plants anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and bee balm (Monarda fistulosa).

Ligularia ‘The Rocket’ (Ligularia stenocephala ‘The Rocket’) is the star of the show now, blooming impressively in the dense shade and wilting dramatically when it wants a drink. The flowers of the star-flowered Solomon’s seal and the flowering trees will be replaced with fruits as they prepare for the final scene. The birds sing loudly as they flit about, hoping for an encore.

Before we know it, the temperatures drop, the curtain falls on the stage, and we take a sigh.

The performance is over.

Photos: Lungwort, Star-flowered Solomon’s seal, and Ligularia images courtesy of Brenda Evans, MG Manitoba.