Page 16 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2023_WEB
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CULTIVATING COMMUNICATION (Continued)
        We desired a shade garden, but we had a long way to go.
        We created our future shade from scratch, with 1-3 gallon
        trees and shrubs. Some would look at our space and think
        we overplanted (our families thought we were nuts), but
        we based our number of “stems” on patterns we saw in
        somewhat undisturbed woodlands.
        We were energetic new gardeners, and we hated seeing
        bare ground. However, planting herbaceous perennials
        that required shade would have been a waste of money
        at that point. So, we visited garden centers and shopped
        their clearance tables regularly for inexpensive sun
        perennials (sometimes within an inch of their life) to
        provide some interest until our shade “arrived.”
        Fast forward 10 years, and we had shade!

        While we tried to mimic the natural landscape, one piece
        we were lacking was the buildup of decaying leaves and
        woody material. Our soil was still hard and dry. Many of
        the sun species of perennials had faded and now we had
        open spaces in which to plant – again!

        This time, our plant selection was a bit more intentional
        for the herbaceous layer. We invested in Hellebores and    Rhodea japonica in fall.
        Pulmonarias, plants that tolerated our rocky soil and
        provided several seasons of interest. We collected Hostas   Tricyrtis.sp
        to serve as visual accents, which were also more tolerant
        of our poor soil.

        The general idea was to cover ground with large drifts
        of herbaceous plants, like what would be found in the
        eastern deciduous forest (prior to heavy deer graze).
        Plants that worked well included:

        •  Helleborus sp. – both hybrids and species like Helleborus
          foetidus. Not only do these plants provide winter interest
          (flowers and foliage), but once established, they begin




          We were energetic new gardeners,

          and we hated seeing bare ground.

          However, planting herbaceous

          perennials that required shade

          would have been a waste of money

          at that point.




        16   WINTER 2023 • Free State News
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