How to choose plants for shade...with The Horti-Culturalists

[@GrannysGarden]

What a great idea to have gardeners from the Southern hemisphere to join you to talk about shade plants so we can see 4 seasons in one video. My hostas are only waking up but in Australia they were showing off their gorgeous leaves.

[@feeonaghchambers7403]

Absolutely wonderful! This channel is a gift that keeps on giving! Thank you.

[@paulinewqi]

This gardening video is brilliantly informative.....I have titled it in my file as "importance of sunlight" for gardening.... Really love all the images of your gorgeous flowers and especially how you make an effort to name each and every plant, very much appreciated. Thanks so much for sharing...💖💝💐

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@ChristopherDraws]

Fantastic and useful video as always, Alexandra. I've recently moved into a property with a large enough balcony to actually have some "outdoors" plants: it'd be wonderful if you could make a video about balcony planting in future. The requirements are a bit similar to using planters on a patio - which I think you've done in the past - but with some additional concerns, such as exposure (plants need to tolerate wind, depending on how high up) and even factors such as container choice (not so heavy you'll curse yourself for bad choices when lugging it up flights of stairs), plus a maintenance question when you only have a balcony and do not have space for lots of gardening tools and supplies. I guess it's out of your usual remit, but - at least in the UK - more and more of your audience will only have access to a balcony, and I find coherent information about balcony gardening is not as prevalent as "in the ground" gardening. Many thanks for your great videos.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and that's a good idea. I'll think about how to do it.

[@TheJeanie11]

Thanks so much for this video and for the detailed descriptions in the info box. I'm a novice to gardening only 2 years In. Because of your videos I've learnt so much and am becoming more confident in planting and taking care of my garden. Thanks once again x

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome!

[@flowerpixel]

Watching your video for the second time because I'm tackling my shady backyard! Osmanthus Delavayi looks great 👍

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It is lovely.

[@terryrourke5009]

This video came at the perfect time for me Alexandra! I have a side yard with different types of shade which I was trying to contend with. So appreciate your content & my yard is looking amazing since I started watching & learning from you & you splendid Middle Sized Garden KZbin channel. ❤️🌸😀

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm so glad!

[@teresanorth3691]

Thanks Alexandra, I do like your videos, you seem to put so much effort into them and I find them so helpful !

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome!

[@Kylie4Queen]

Great collaboration; learned a lot from both videos. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@clairehewitt3381]

Your videos are so informative and the time stamps are so helpful. Thank you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and also for mentioning the time stamps. They take a bit of extra time to do, so I was hoping they were useful and it's good to know.

[@thegreenwoodelf8014]

Brilliant to link the plant mention with the time stamp 👌🏻👌🏻🌱 love this channel

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LittleJordanFarm]

Great advice thank you..blessings

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome

[@maryanna6302]

Such useful ideas--Woodland is my favorite type of garden look, so this video was so helpful for me. Thanks for placing so many timestamps along with the plant names. I look forward to checking out the Horticulturalists channel too. I hope your dog is doing well, I love seeing him in the videos.

[@vickimiller5496]

Thank you. I didn't realize there were such various types of shade

[@lenafagan4706]

That was fantastic. Such good ideas.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Many thanks for inviting us to collaborate on this plants for shade video Alexandra - its been fun! S&M

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome! Really enjoyed your video - lots of really easy grow, shade loving and even dry shade loving plants.

[@BeautifulOaks]

Alexandra, what about growing moss as an option? I’d like to see a video about moss.

[@squidsquiddly5970]

All of those were lovely! I really appreciate these videos. They have helped me a LOT when planning my gardens this year. I have to add to this great list the Lungwort Pulmonaria. It has such a vibrant color for shade and the leaves are often as enjoyable as the spring/early summer flowers! :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Pulmonaria is lovely, I agree.

[@carmenbailey1560]

Thanks for all your information on shaded gardens, I’ve been working on getting the right mix for my partly shaded backyard. 👍❤️😊

[@susanpeterson9947]

I garden in mostly dense shade to dappled shade in zone 9b in Florida and I enjoyed this video very much. I want to suggest that you try to find a plant named Aspidistra elatior for your dense shade areas. Its common name in Florida is cast iron plant and that’s very appropriate. It will even grow under porches or decks with absolutely no sun and very little water as well.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Very good suggestion. It's largely a house plant here, but is very structural and elegant.

[@mauracurran3270]

Super video as usual I would like to suggest Omphaloides, v good in shade and a sea of blue for weeks with evergreen leaves for the rest of the year. I also recommend mahonia retusa, v good in shade 1 mtr high and spreads slowly with good flrs and bronzed leaves in cold.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good recommendation!

[@shelaghjackson9577]

I’ve got deep shade under a big cedar hedge . I’ve had great luck with hostas and evergreen ferns under it. I add impatiens for colour in summer, and water once a week.

[@busarafirestone1180]

Thank you for talking about the value of trees!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They are so important!

[@GardenMoxie]

Such a great video.

[@justynjonn]

Having a little fun on this video with that necklace, aren't you! Looks fantastic. Great video .

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you

[@susankavanagh737]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@apocreg11]

About to get a garden that’s north east facing so hoping to get some tips from this one!

[@GDName]

That's an awesome tip/observation: if weeds don't grow there then plants will not grow there either.

[@emmamemma4162]

In some shady spots there might be problems with dryness as well. Some trees such as spruce will suck all the moisture out of the ground with their shallow roots and cover it in needles that choke out any seedlings. If you are able to amend the soil and keep it moist you might be able to grow shade tolerant plants where weeds don't grow. I have a northern border with spruce trees where the ground is completely lifeless. By building a hugelculture-style mound along the edge of the border I was able to grow things like Rhododendron.

[@docwild2867]

Clivias also love the shade.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good suggestion

[@gardenjoy5223]

Who are these weird people, who constantly seem to ask you, why you don't cut trees down? Trees give SO much to a garden. They embody and embrace the garden. Why on earth would some people cut those awesome trees down??? Trim them, keep them in good shape, indeed cut the lower branches. But then they are majestic mood bringers. Plus there are so many shade loving plants! It helps you to become creative and have variety in the garden. But if your garden is completely overgrown with them... yes, then a few need to go... perhaps.

[@Stettafire]

IKR? Often a tree can be managed just by keeping it shorter and tidier. Many trees can be coppiced or pollarded, or shaped. A tree needn't get unweildly and it adds drama and height to a garden. It's one thing if it's damaging the foundations of a house or wrapping itself around powerlines. Quite another if it's only crime is making one of the beds "a bit shady". Oh, give me strength!

[@petramckean5041]

Great video! Thank you for your content. I just wanted to say that Mahonia is very invasive in my garden! I was wondering if you could do a video on why rhodos and azaleas don’t bloom. Also, my peonies are dwindling and their buds are so tiny and don’t amount to anything. 😢 Cheers from Vancouver.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I don't know if you've seen this video on rhododendrons, which might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5ConZ2Aoceko6s With the peony buds, I believe it can be a fungus, but it can also be if the weather is very dry while the flowers are developing. It might be worth trying more watering and some fertiliser (unless you've already applied fertiliser).

[@Stettafire]

Something that may also help is pruning in Dec/Jan. We wern't pruning hard enough and when be adjusted our approach we ended up with signifantly larger and taller flowers

[@ludmilabevan3283]

Alexandra, Thank you for yet another excellent video. Perhaps one day you could cover another problem with shady parts. Dry shade. I have a massive blue cedar that I absolutely love despite its fallen needles and a mass of bird poo under it. Underneath the tree I grow hydrangeas, azaleas, hostas, ferns, snowdrops and forget-me-not. The problem is that all of them are moisture loving plants. However the fibrous roots of my cedar absorb water too fast and to add to the problem the soil is very sandy. So I grow moisture loving plants in a dry shade. The plants do survive but hydrangeas reduced the size of the flowers and azaleas reduced the amount of them considerably. Is there any idea how to retain the moisture for longer? Mulching does not seem to help much. Thank you in advance!

[@emmamemma4162]

I have a shady border with spruce trees and sandy soil. Even though there is plenty of moisture further down in the soil, the roots make the top layer of soil bone dry, and a thick layer of needles kill any seedlings, as a result not even weeds grow there. My solution was to build a hugelculture-style mound along the edge of the border. It was very hard work and I treated the roots of the trees quite harshly (though the trees suffered no ill effect, as far as I can tell). I started by moving some well rooted Rhododendron branches from an overgrown bush to one part of the mound and they have done quite well. I was also able to grow some pees and salad on the mound, so now I will try other shade plants as well.

[@ludmilabevan3283]

@@emmamemma4162 Thank you so much, Emma, for sharing your experience. I might do something of a sort. Surprisingly enough all those fallen needles do not prevent my weeds from growing actively. Even poppies seed themselves everywhere and though much smaller in size they manage to produce flowers! Perhaps it is because I collect needles and use them with fresh compost as a mulch around the base of each shrub, not leaving much around elsewhere. Plus the shade is dappled. But the overall problem is similar to yours.

[@emmamemma4162]

@@ludmilabevan3283 I think the needles are most effective as a weed suppressor when they are left undisturbed in a thick layer, they break down from underneath, but the top layer is still very dry and inhospitable. Mixing the layers up, especially since you add compost, seems to transform them into something you can actually grow plants in. I've had pumpkins growing on a pile of branches and needles that I collected when tidying up around some other spruce trees, on my sunny border. I used a small amount of soil/compost mix to sow the seeds in and by September the whole pile was covered in pumpkin vines. I didn't even water that pile, it stayed moist on the inside from having that mix of needles in different stages of decomposition. Now I kinda wanna try growing poppies in a needle mix on the sunny side of the garden, I've not gotten them to come back in the location I had them (too wet!). Thanks for mentioning it!

[@ludmilabevan3283]

@@emmamemma4162 Totally agree, Emma. The needles would prevent anything from growing if left untouched. When we moved in 2 years ago, we discovered amazing rockery and a sandstone patio under well composted needles over 2 feet thick. Our neighbours had not a slightest idea about landscaped garden being buried underneath and our archaeological dig attracted lots of attention in our street. Now I am trying to keep that area clean to prevent my newly planted alpines and other low growing flowers and grasses from disappearing under the fallen needles. The needles also increase acidity in a soil which not every plant is happy about. The garden is rather small, I wish I could find the room for other beds to experiment more with this natural material but have to limit myself to mulching only. Thank you for sharing your ideas and your experience. Perhaps one day in a future.... :)

[@emmamemma4162]

@@ludmilabevan3283 What a find! It must have been so exciting to "excavate" like that in your new garden. The only thing I've ever found has been trash bags from decades ago, that were left behind a tree and slowly buried, lol.

[@johntate5050]

14:26 I hate people who kill things. Slugs and snails are part of the food chain. Poison them and you poison the things that eat them.

[@dparamful]

The videos are not "absolutely free" when you get my subscription In fact, I'm the product you'll be selling!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

The advertising on KZbin isn't based on the number of subscribers but on the views of a particular video, and although more subscribers should, in theory, mean more video views, that is rarely the case. However, the model of information paid for by advertising is, I think, better than what we all grew up with. If you wanted or needed information, you had to pay for it yourself up front by buying a book, magazine, video or TV licence. Now so much information is free but is funded by advertising or other commercial activity, which seems fairer. On the other hand, you can always continue with the paid-for upfront model and get your information by buying books, magazines and public broadcasting TV if you believe that to be a better way of doing things.

[@Stettafire]

Subscribing on youtube doesn't cost money. Really it's just "following" the same on twitter etc

[@dparamful]

Actually, youtube gathers data on my identity and interests with every subscription. They can then sell me targeted ads. That is the business model.

[@karlb4225]

I admire your style and storytelling. Recently, I purchased my first home with a garden facing north. After years of gardening for friends, it's incredibly exciting to finally have my own space for it. 🪴

[@aiai-j7i]

Who are these people suggesting to cut down a tree?!🥹

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

People do sometimes feel they need to cut down trees, I think it may be some kind of ancient memory when people had to cut down trees to make their shelters. I've noticed it seems to happen more when people move in.

[@gympump9766]

One of my favourite content producers. Keep smashing it out. 💪 Love your video's and they are very professional 👏

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@TheMag625]

Perfect timing!!! I have two shady spots in my garden, I am planning to plant something to cheer those spots up this year!!! Thank you xx

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@Neldidellavittoria]

I knew about listed buildings in the UK but I had no idea you had listed trees as well. I've also heard about new woodlands being planted up north. What a great undertaking, especially for a country that's been so extensively deforested over the centuries. I wish we had similar measures taken here in Argentina, where deforestation is a major issue, and one over which most people seem unconcerned.

[@ChristopherDraws]

Yes, it's a positive move by the gov't here in the UK, but I wish we could do more: It would be great if we could do something like Singapore has done, where they've intentionally planted rainforest trees throughout the city. As more of the UK becomes urbanised, it'd be wonderful if there was a requirement for developers to plant and establish "chains" of forest trees to eventually link protected woodlands.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

If a tree over a certain size is in the 'curtilage of a Listed building', then it's Listed, too, and there are also regulations around Conservation areas. Alas, these rules are not very effectively enforced!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That really would be good.

[@Stettafire]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Indeed. Developers often convienitantly "accidently" chop down trees and indeed some trees with preservation orders are even chopped down by an unwitting homeowner with near no rebuke from the council.

[@verawallace9055]

6 am in the USA ,bright and early exactly what I need ,I started a shade garden last year and I worry about it all year ,now in the second year it's coming to life and looking much better, Thanks for this information

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@verawallace9055]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden You're Welcome

[@athomewithfrancsicio]

Brilliant, I have hydrangeas on my list for the shady areas on my property, thank you💕

[@naomiweaver1855]

I have numerous camellias in dark shade, I guess. They barely get light. I’ve moved them from sunnier, even dappled shade, where they burn, and they bloom beautifully under pines thick with wisteria. I’m in the coastal plain of North Carolina, in the States. It may be the varieties of sasanquas and japonicas I have, and the absolute devastation of the summers - though I’m in zone 8. But their light is minimal. With them are hellebores that have done well - particularly the “Wedding Party” varieties. In light shade I have loads of different kinds of ferns and shrubs, including a very wispy mahonia. There are astilbes and heucharas (spelling?). All of this is under the shade of a gum ball tree (I inherited) and trees of my next door neighbor’s. Shade is a wonderful thing to have, I think, because it gives you depth along with your sunny beds.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're so right - shady borders are often so peaceful.

[@joannmicik1924]

I started with a full sun, poor soil garden 30 years ago. Over time, trees and shrubs have completely changed its character and now I have both shady and sunny spots. I think I cherish the shady spots most! Thanks for the very informative vid.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree, shady spots can be quite delightful

[@ritasicari7518]

Another incredibly informative video. Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patriciarussell1177]

Loved this video from Oklahoma usa

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@amyjones2490]

My new favorite shade loving plant is pulmonaria. Its there longer than hostas and the blooms are lovely.

[@zacharysimon2952]

I may have already said this in a previous video, but I am loving your recent collaborations! I'm finding new channels from them, and happy to have some more new content to watch. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you like them!

[@lindapayne1595]

So pleased the tree survived the ideas of chop it down.

[@dewdan11dnd46]

What an descriptive and informative vlog. A great breakdown of the assorted shade varieties found in gardens and the assortment of plants and shrub options. I've been mulling on what to do with my shaded area and this was a timely watch. Thank you Alexandra and The Horti-Culturalists 💞💫🌲

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FullMoonNewMoon]

I love your love for the trees

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@heliotropezzz333]

The content of your videos is great. Your presentation is great and you take the trouble to read comments - great!.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate the comments and it gives me great insights into where people live and what they feel about their gardens. Sometimes I answer comments just to energise myself if I'm feeling a bit tired!

[@MyFocusVaries]

We've finally upgraded our backyard/garden since outdoor visits are the only option these days. It's very shady, so this is perfect timing as we research shade loving plants. Thanks.

[@rdarrett3635]

Love the Horticulturalist Channel. New subbie.

[@michaeljonesdougherty.209]

Really good i deals i no longer as of Feb 2021 have a shade area our white dog wood died & the tree next door that grew over my side yard died was taken down .but my side yard has morning sun by after noon its up.over the yard or over the other side of the house .

[@tanyawales5445]

My favorite Hosta is 'Aphrodite. The foliage is green. What stands out are the lovely double lilylike white flowers. To combat slugs and snails use snail bait. I used to live in the Pacific Northwest where the slugs are 7-inch-long monsters and rightfully called banana slugs. For instant eradication in the garden that won't hurt your plants load up a squirt gun with ammonia-based window cleaner, put it on stream setting and let those slugs and snails have it! Those beasties will foam right up, and the ammonia provides needed nitrogen to your plants.

[@Inloveofteags]

Great video. But I've hardly seen any gardener talk abt one shady border, which is the west and or north/west facing border where its all day shade but the plants get the harshest sun for three to four hours. Its the most difficult area to plant imho. To make things even more complicated, if its the rainy season, it gets no sun because most showers are in that time of the afternoon when the garden gets the sun in a non rainy season.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting! I'll have a think about it.

[@Inloveofteags]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thanks Alexandria, would love any advice from you, you are an exceptional gardener!

[@atomicwendy]

your garden is glorious. I cannot imagine why anyone would suggest cutting down trees.

[@paulinereid5226]

Really interesting - I love your videos. Some great tips and advice. Was just wondering why you left out Sweet Wooduff? Such a pretty, unassuming little plant - not fanctyat all - but with a lovely scent. And will grow in deep shade. It used to be dried and used for strewing on the floor, or among clothes - years ago - to make everything smell fresh and sweet!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great tip! I don't have any myself but will certainly check it out.

[@YUYUith]

hi thanks for this video, i couldn't quite get the name of the plant at 7:25 (white flower with yellow inside), would you name telling me the name? thanks.

[@bethmartof1262]

It’s some type of white primrose.

[@nolisarmiento1719]

is it just on my side or is there really something wrong with the audio of this video? I only hear the audio on the right side.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh, dear, I'm not sure - it seemed fine when we edited, but I will check and thank you for mentioning it.

[@nolisarmiento1719]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thanks

[@barbarajudge5424]

Sound quality is very poor. Having to turn volume up to maximum and there's a loud hiss.

[@GypsyoftheSun]

Slugs love dry cat food. Place containers with lids with dry cat food and cut a small hole so they can enter the buffet. Place behind plants 🌷🌻🌱🍀

[@dorotaazzopardi8718]

I love your cost benefit analysis of the glorious tree in your garden. 🌳I am a total sucker for trees. 🌳

[@janetyih]

Such high quality video full of educational info. Very appreciate it!

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

This was a lovely collaboration Alexandra and I’ve headed over and subscribed to our Australian friends 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@Cronezonetarot]

Many thanks, Alexandra, lots of good shade tips here, especially identifying the different types of shade. I wonder if I can ask another garden related question? I know you have a dog. I have a young puppy and wondered if you have any tips to stop dogs rampaging through flower beds. My little rogue has left flattened bluebells and irises in his wake!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's quite a tricky one and I suspect you need to talk to a dog expert rather than a gardening person. I'm lucky in that Lottie treads very lightly, so she goes in and out of the flower bed, but good luck!

[@Nightowl-72]

Wonderful video 🌸 thank you

[@Jonathan-mn4ss]

What’s up with the trashcan at 10:20?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I just like it, and we all have plastic wheely bins now, so I planted it up.

[@teannettemajor1609]

Can't hear anything.

[@gardeningjunkie2267]

I have a massive conifer in my back yard that absolutely towers over everything and I have no trouble growing things underneath. I grow camellia, hellebores, begonias, caladiums, celosia and impatiens there. I just trim the lower branches every so often. I also keep a bench there and it's a favorite spot for visitors. I do find that conifers block most of the rainfall though, so you will need supplemental water.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It sounds lovely!

[@RoseMary-vs3io]

Useful advice👌

[@Stettafire]

I have a south aspect and a north aspect. The north is smaller by a significant margain but I have been wondering what to put there since it came with a raised bed

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Raised beds are good for veg, which can be tricky if you're north facing (in the Northern hemisphere). But salad veg likes some shade. There's a video here about plants for shady spots which might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX_Wg42wjJ16l6s

[@barbarajudge5424]

The sound quality is poor. Had to put volume to maximum but still hard to hear. There's a loud hiss on the recording.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you for letting me know - we have since investigated and you are right as I edited this without headphones, so it sounded fine. But with headphones, it's clear there is a sound problem, and we hope we've fixed this for future videos.

[@katharinedavis4947]

There is also now mahonia Soft Caress . Not prickly .

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

There is, and it's most attractive!