Shade perennial flowers present their own unique challenges when being used in a shade perennial garden. Here are some frequently asked questions readers have about shade perennial flowers:
Q: Will my flowers bloom in the shade?
A: If you select the right kinds of flowers for the amount of shade you have in your garden, the answer should be yes. To figure out what kind of shade you have in your garden, I suggest you read my article How Shady Is Your Garden? Defining Shade Categories. In this article, you will find there are at least three primary shade categories that you need to know about before selecting the appropriate shade perennial flower for your garden.
Q: I know what kind of shade I have, what kind of flowers should I plant in it?
A: There are several articles here on the Shade Perennial Garden Page that should help you with your selection. For a general overview of some of the best shade perennial flowers, read Top Five Shade Perennial Flowers. If you would like to read selections that are particularly best for your shade level, read Light Shade Perennial Garden Flowers, Medium Shade Perennial Garden Flowers or Full Shade Perennial Garden Flowers. If you are interested in flowers from perennial bulbs, you should look at the article Shade Perennial Flowers: Five Spring Bulbs for Your Garden.
Q: When will my shade perennial flowers bloom?
A: This will depend on the flower you have planted. It is good to try to select both early and late season blooming shade perennial flowers for your garden, so you can have flowers in your garden for much of the gardening season. To help with selecting early and late season shade perennial flowers, take a look at the articles Five Spring Blooming Shade Perennial Flowers and Five Fall Blooming Shade Perennial Flowers.
Q: I am planting my flowers under a tree, is there anything special I need to know?
A: You should know that you may need to water and fertilize your flowers even more frequently than if they were located in the sun. This is because the tree will be competing with your flowers for both water and nutrients in the soil. Read Keys for a Successful Shade Perennial Garden for even more tips on how to garden successfully with shade perennial flowers.
Hopefully these articles will help you answer some of your basics questions about shade perennial flowers. For even more helpful articles on shade perennial gardening, please visit the Shade Perennial Garden Home Page.
