Nothing is more pleasurable than gardening in Texas shade
While the lantana and okra are out baking in the sun, a tranquil canopy of dappled light and cooler temperatures makes puttering around in your summer garden a delight. We all appreciate a little shade, yet many people think of it as very limiting in regard to plantings. In our area of Texas, it’s important to have some shaded areas for personal comfort, if nothing else. The main function of shade is to keep the sun from beating directly on the house’s roof or outdoor living area. Southern and western shade is the most important for a homeowner to have.
Let’s consider the degrees of shade we have. First the dense shade areas: no vegetation is found or very little at best. Here, an area with mulch only is probably best. The next degree of shade is light/dappled shade. Here some sunlight comes through, usually about 2 to 4 hours a day. Here shade-loving woodland plants will thrive very well. The final degree is partial shade. Here, the plants should receive full sun during either the morning or afternoon. If the plants receive full sun in the afternoon, it is best to use full sun plants. If using shade loving or shade tolerant plants, light/dappled shade is the best of all the planting areas. Do you have minimal choice in plants for shade gardening? Not at all! Shade gardening now offers more choices than the traditional shade-loving hostas and caladiums. Once you’ve assessed the light, the soil, and the moisture levels in the shade area you are planning, the fun begins, Plant Shopping!
