Take a Chance on Shade Gardening
While it may feel like all the excitement may be happening in the full-sun parts of your garden, it is important to notice the shady spots as well. That bare, shady bed underneath a tree in your landscape doesn’t have to stay that way. A spot that gets little to no sun is actually the perfect place to try your hand at shade gardening.
Gardening in the shade comes with a multitude of benefits that will not only save you time and labor, but also completely transform the underused parts of your landscape. From weed reduction to an expanded catalog of shade-loving plants, there’s a spot for every gardener under the shade.
Expanded Plant Varieties
Gardening in the shade gives you the opportunity to use plant materials that would otherwise wither and burn in the sunlight. Shade loving annuals like coleus and begonia have a vast selection of colors and unique forms that can brighten up the darker parts of your landscape and refresh shade containers in need of thriller elements. A common misconception is that shade plants don’t offer anything in terms of bright bursts of color, but Beacon® Impatiens is here to change that.
You can still get the same bold, bright colors that you’d see in a full sun area in your shade garden. Using a shade-loving plant like Beacon Impatiens Lipstick can brighten up shady garden beds underneath trees and large shrubs to create a glowing border effect that softens up harsh edges in the landscape. Many shade plants have unique foliage colors and patterns, making every combination unique and one of a kind. We invite you to find your favorite shade tolerant plant to begin your shade gardening journey.
Weed Reduction
Weeds, just like every other plant, require ample sunlight to grow and often compete with other plants for their spot in the sun. Lucky for you, weeds aren’t too good at growing in the shade. Due to the lower light and higher competition in shady areas, you will find far fewer weeds in your shade garden than you would in the sun. Many plants, like Beacon Impatiens, are specifically bred to thrive in low light conditions. This means that they are more likely to outcompete weeds in your landscape and save you the hassle of weekly weeding. It is important to note that weeds can still form in the shade, so remain vigilant, but your impatiens will most likely take care of them.
Lower Maintenance
Many shade tolerant plants are bred to require minimal maintenance once established. The time saved from maintenance can go towards gazing out at your shady oasis. The shade will keep your fairer flowers from burning up in the sun, and the added water retention means less trips with the watering can. Impatiens Beacon Blue Pearl has large lavender petals with a violet rose center that stays consistent under the shade throughout the season.
You should prepare your shade garden for impatiens by adding a healthy layer of mulch to retain as much moisture as possible. Space your flowers a little bit more than you would in the sun, and let the plants do the rest!
Improved Water Retention
One advantage of gardening in the shade is that you’ll save water! Shady soils require less frequent watering since there’s less evaporation between rainfalls, which means your soil won’t need as much amending or daily watering. Plants in the shade are more likely to retain their vibrant green foliage and will have more energy to flower and spread. Your plants (and your water bill) will thank you.
Embrace shade gardening and discover a new world of opportunities in your landscape. Brighten up dark spots with our vibrant line of Beacon Impatiens, with colors ranging from pink and violet to bright orange. Find plants with unique foliage that can only grow in the shade and watch as your garden transforms into a cool, shaded sanctuary. With minimal effort on your end.