Gardeners can have it made in a wide swath of their shade by selecting plants that spread on their own and need little maintenance.
Beds typically look their best when layered with plants of varying heights, color and structure, but one large tree can cast a big enough shadow to intimidate any gardener who might be deterred by the expense of trying to dress up such an area.
If you're patient, you can save money and let the plants do the work.
Before we get to the plants, though, you'll need to do some surveying. If your shady area is under an established tree and you've been covering the area with mulch instead of trying to grow grass, you may be ready to advance directly to Go. Typically, you can begin planting perennials by mid-May, but keep an eye on the 10-day forecast.
If you've got a hardpan surface interrupted by lots of surface tree roots, you're facing a longer-term project to improve your soil. Simply adding several inches of a garden-ready mix to the area may seem to be an easy solution, but that can compromise your tree's health by smothering its surface roots.
Opt, instead, for spreading 2 to 3 inches of organic matter — mulch or compost, or both — as the weather starts to warm. To accelerate the process, top-dress the area again later in the season. Then let nature do its thing.
Depending on your native soil, you might be able to start planting in Year 2, picking several plants of the same type and starting them in groupings. As you keep adding organic matter each year, the soil will become more and more hospitable, allowing these spreaders eventually to cover more space on their own.
While you're waiting for the worms and microorganisms to convert your mulch into garden goodness, consider enhancing the shady area with a focal point — lay a pathway to a bench surrounded by containers with shade annuals. Similar elements include yard art, decorative lights, bird feeders or a water feature.
