by Ashley Jones Brodkin, Fulton County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer
This article is part of Garden Buzz, a series from Appen Media and the North Fulton Master Gardeners, where rotating columnists explore horticulture topics like herbs, insects, and wildlife conservation. Find all Garden Buzz articles here.
When my family first moved into our home, our backyard was filled with tons of trees, invasive English ivy and not much else. I loved the privacy and shade that the trees provided but really felt the yard was lacking visual interest. I’m drawn to abundant, dense landscapes and find a lot of inspiration in naturalized-looking English gardens. I had the opportunity to work with a landscape designer on my yard a few years ago and was introduced to several plants that helped achieve that exact vibe in my North Fulton yard. Now that the yard is firmly established, here are the plants I would definitely use again:
Autumn fern
There are a few other ferns in my backyard, but these are my favorite. They are low maintenance and offer a unique leaf shape, which stays in the garden year-round. And what is better suited for the woods than a fern?! These plants are used as a border and tucked into a rock garden in my yard.
Azaleas
Yes, azaleas seem like a boring, played-out option…everyone has an azalea bush, right? That’s what I thought, mostly because I was used to seeing them planted in a row as a hedge alternative in front yards. Tucking this shrub in among dense trees gives it a chance to pop like a specimen plant, and because the plant grows tall, the flowers get to make a big show. I also like growing azaleas away from the house so they can grow with little to no pruning. Left on their own, the growth habit seems much airier and more natural. Azaleas come in a variety of colors to choose from; the plants in my yard are George L. Tabor.
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
Most of my plants had dark-colored foliage, and this lime-green mounding grass is a beautiful contrast. It doesn’t die back in winter, and because the leaves grow long and droop a bit, it makes quite a statement along the borders. I have this planted in my much sunnier front yard, and it does just as well as in the shade. Acorus was outcompeted by the lawn it was planted near, but the rock garden and borders in the shade garden have proved to be a perfect placement. Some trim the leaves in the fall/winter, but I leave it alone year-round.
Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’
Ajuga reptans is hands down my favorite plant in the yard. This variety has deep purple/emerald, evergreen leaves that form an extremely dense mat. The flowers pop up bright purple and last for months. I think it just looks so unique. I’m actually in the process of adding more of this to my yard; that’s how obsessed I am. This is planted as ground cover around my walkways and rock garden. It dies back a little in winter, but I have no bare spots, which I like. Ajuga comes in several varieties with different leaf and flower colors. The foliage is very tolerant of being walked on, the flowers not so much. Pollinators also love these flowers.
Hosta ‘Halcyon’
There are many hostas to choose from, but Halcyon stands out to me because of its leaf color and size. Growing up to five feet in diameter, these plants cover a large amount of space, and the blue-green color of the leaves makes for an interesting addition to the landscape. Hostas do have a couple of caveats. They die back to the crown in the winter, so you will need to mulch over the area during the cold months to avoid bare dirt.
Hostas are also a favorite food for deer. Unless you have a fenced yard, you will need to protect them by continually spraying with repellant or cover with a layer of bird netting. The bird netting is barely visible from a distance and is a great deterrent.
Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’ Gold Dust
This shrub has dense, evergreen foliage and is great as a backdrop or a screen. I love the dark green foliage with golden flecks, and it thrives in full shade. In fact, I have one plant that sits in mid-day sun, and it really struggles. My full-shade plants are doing much better.
This list of shade perennials has transformed my wooded yard into a vibrant and textured oasis. With careful planning and consideration of each plant’s needs, you too can create a lush and inviting outdoor space even in the shadiest of areas.
Happy Gardening!
Learn More
- Ground Covers for Shaded Landscapes in North Georgia (UGA Extension)
- Selecting and Growing Azaleas (UGA Extension)
About the Author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Ashley Jones Brodkin, who has been a Master Gardener since 2024. Her passion is recreating naturalized landscapes for entertaining and has recently been devoted to learning more about herbalism, permaculture and edible landscapes.
