What kinda of plants can I plant in the shade?

Question

Let me get a little more detailed. I live in North Central IL. Have two Big Maples in my front yard which results in lots of shade good for the heat bad for the plants. These maples also have the type of roots that are above the ground so shade grass is out because i would hit the roots when I mow. Need some help as to what may look nice and not cost a small fortune in landscaping.

Answer 1

Maples are nearly impossible to grow anything beneath them. They provide VERY heavy shade, and, as you noticed, they have very shallow roots. Digging down to plant a shrub would be risking damage to the trees' root system.

Shade loving ground covers may be the way to go - possibly sprucing up with some color from impatiens in pots. But you'll need to remember to water those frequently.

You could also, very carefully, dig small holes this coming fall between the roots, and pop in spring-flowering bulbs, like snowdrops, crocus, grape hyacinth. Possibly bigger bulbs if you can manage to find places for bigger h9oles without hitting roots. They will do their thing when the tree is leafless, getting their sun then. Then as the tree leafs out, they will be naturally dying back and going dormant anyway.

You could look at lists of shade plants for your area, but it might be more efficient to simply go to your local nursery, explain your situation, and see what they have. Whatever they carry will likely do well in your area. Look for things that will not require deep or wide holes for planting.

Answer 2

Because the maples are kind of inhospitable, maybe you could do some big ornamental pots of shade plants and have a bench in between, for a nice shady retreat.

There's no such thing as shade grass, despite what the seed company would have you believe. Only moss or groundcvoers that would take over your lawn.

Answer 3

try doing a raised flower box around the tree and filling with potting soil and then you will be able to grow a variety of shade plants. the roots from the tree will prevent you from growing most plants because they need room to spread their roots as well. a raised plant box offers a cheap solution and still gives you lots of choice on plants. ferns, impatiens, asslysum, sweet william, etc.
hope this helps

Answer 4

ferns, hoyas, pretty much any shade loving plant that's compatible with your climate zone. Do a little searching on the net. Park Seed has fabulous plants and will send you a free catalog.