outdoors

GARDEN DOCTOR

How do you grdvrpfants in shade? That’s one of

the most common questions we get from

g

readers. Here,-we shed some light on,the topic.

by ERIC LISKEY

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I have a huge pine tree that casts deep shade in a corner of my

yard, and it constantly drops pine needles. The lawn in that area

isn’t doing well. What else could I do with that spot?

Pine needles create acidic soil over time. That, combined with shade, would

make the site ideal for azaleas. Most shade perennials should do well there, too.

Hosta, astilbe, heuchera, columbine, and bleeding heart all are good candidates.

Prune the pine’s low-hanging branches (any that hang lower than about 10 feet),

remove the grass, and till in generous amounts of peat or compost, and you’ll

have the setting for a nice shade garden.

lO O

AUGUST 2010 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

P H O T O : A L IS O N B A R N E S M A R TIN