Shade gardening tips Shade gardening tips Large trees are known for their majestic beauty and the cool shade they provide, but many times gardeners feel they are limited to what types of plants and flowers they can grow in shady conditions. There are many annuals, perennials, and shrubs that grow beautifully in varying levels of light. Partial or light shade is when sunlight is indirect for most of the day. An area that gets a couple of hours of sunlight just after sunrise or just before sunset also falls into this category.
Full shade is when an area receives filtered light for the entire day.
The same article recommends against planting shade gardens near the trunks of large trees because the main root system is only two feet below the ground. It would be difficult to dig around the roots, and the roots could become damaged in the process. Deep shade can be compared to the level of lighting right before sunset. Successfully growing plants in these conditions is not easy. Most plants need some light to grow and thrive.