Gardening in the Shade

Allan Haschick

Most gardens have shady spots, but some gardens have a real shade ‘problem’. Whether it is caused by large or overhanging trees, tall buildings, or just being on the ‘wrong side of the street’, finding the best plants for a shady area can be challenging, particularly if the rest of your garden basks in sunshine all year round.

Shade plants are not necessarily tropical, although many tropical plants thrive in shade. Some delicate leafy plants will scorch and burn in hot sun, some plants like shady conditions but not damp soil, while others grow happily in damp, boggy ground that receives minimum sunlight. Gardening in the Shade examines the different types of shade and the effect it has on plant growth.

It presents solutions to common problems such as feeding, watering and mulching shade plants, and how to deal with exacerbating factors such as wind, frost and soil type. Popular shade plants, like clivias, bromeliads, fuchsias and ferns are given special features, and a directory of species lists plants under headings like ground covers, tropical-looking perennials, and succulents.

About the Author

Allan Haschick holds a national diploma in Horticulture from Technikon Natal. He is currently assistant manager at Floradale Nursery and Garden Centre in Port Elizabeth. Allan started writing for SA Garden in 1999 and, in 2002, joined the magazine’s panel of experts who provide advice to readers.

He has also written columns for the Eastern Cape Herald and Algoa Sun newspapers and contributed several articles to the ‘Life is a Garden’ marketing programme of the South African Nurseryman’s Association. In addition, he gives talks to garden clubs and groups throughout the Eastern Cape.