In the scorching summer heat of Utah, finding refreshing shade is essential. Having a shade garden not only provides a cooling environment for you and your loved ones but also for your plants!
Create a tranquil oasis that’ll save water, improve air quality, and enhance the natural beauty of your outdoor space. In this blog post, we’ll explore shade gardens, shade-loving plants, and tips for designing and caring for your front yard or backyard.
If you’re wondering if you really need a shaded yard, read more about the many benefits of shade here.
Assess Your Space 
Evaluate the existing (or non-existent!) shade conditions in your garden and identify areas where there’s an opportunity to add shade. Do you have enough room to add one, or maybe a few, large trees anywhere? If you were to move certain things in your yard around, would this help in your planning? Sit down and sketch out some ideas. Have fun with it.
If you’d prefer professional assistance, we highly recommend checking out Glover Nursery’s landscape consultation and design services. If you’re not sure, it’s a great place to start if you have questions or concerns. Our team of design professionals would be happy to help you.
WATCH: Instant shade for your backyard
Select Shade-Loving Plants/Trees for Your Utah Yard
For shady gardens, our team recommends focusing on foliage, as it will be beautiful all season long. Flowers have shorter bloom seasons, so think of them as a bonus, but not the focus.
If you’re interested in learning more, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Glover Nursery team!
Below you’ll find a helpful list of some of our top recommended plants for your shady garden.
Shade-loving plants:
Plants that flower in shady areas:
- Astilbe
- Dicentra
- Acanthus
- Aconitum
- Hellebore
- Lamium
- Ajuga
- Viola
- Saxifraga
- Pulmonaria
- Tricyrtis
- Corydalis
- Geranium (hardy)
WATCH: Picking a Tree for Your Yard
At the nursery, we get a lot of questions from customers about what to plant in dry shade areas as well as wet shade areas. If you’re wondering the same thing, we’re here to help!
What to plant in dry shade areas that don’t get lots of water:
Related reading: Landscaping in Dry Shade: 15 Great Landscape Plants for Dry Shady Areas
What to plant in wet shade areas that get lots of water:
- Astilbe
- Ligularia
- Mukdenia
- Anemone
- Pachysandra
- Cleome
Looking for more plants? Check out our catalog here.
WATCH: Plant a Tree or Shrub
Design Your Shade Garden
When you’re planning the layout and arrangement of your shade garden, consider plant color, texture, and height variations. Also remember that you can incorporate hardscape elements, pathways, and shade-providing structures into your space.
It doesn’t have to be all about the plants, either—outdoor furniture like umbrellas or overhangs can be a wonderful shade addition.
If designing a shade garden is a daunting task, don’t worry! Glover Nursery’s landscape consultation and design services may be just what you’re looking for. Let us help you create your perfect shady haven.
Don’t Forget About Maintenance & Care 
Don’t let your green thumbs forget about watering, pruning, and fertilization to keep those plants thriving. And, be proactive in checking for pests & diseases which can affect the health of your shady plants (and even your lawn!) Be sure you’re informed on how to best care for the health and vitality of your shade plants to ensure your garden will continue growing. This ties into extending your shade area, which can be fairly simple to do if waiting for a tree to fill in feels like it will take too long.
Consider using shade cloth, or other shade-providing structures like a pergola, to optimize your yard’s shade coverage. You can also plant more shade trees and incorporate early spring and late fall bloomers into your garden.
By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can design a shade garden that brings refreshing shade and tranquility to your yard. Start planning your shade garden today and enjoy the numerous benefits it offers.
To chat with other like-minded gardeners about your shade garden plans, join our Facebook Group!
