If you live in Colorado and need to fill a corner of your garden that doesn’t receive much light, you might feel lost. After all, this state’s climate is usually dry. But we have good news for you: it is possible to find plants that do well under such conditions! In this “Shade Plants Colorado” essential guide, we’ll go over our favorite picks.
Shade plants Colorado
If you are familiar with gardening, you probably know that growing plants in a dry and shady environment can be challenging.
Yew Tree
If you are looking for the perfect tree to grow in your garden and can only offer a shady location, the yew tree might be an excellent option for you. This plant grows best in dry environments and doesn’t mind the shade.
Too much water might cause root rotting and make the tree susceptible to fungal infections.
Many people use it as a hedge: with its dense foliage, this tree provides a gorgeous dark green background to more colorful plants. We recommend you choose a well-draining substrate for your tree.
While you might have to deeply water your plant during the first weeks after planting it, the yew tree requires very little care once established.
Coral Bells
If you need to add some color to your shady corner, don’t worry: there are plenty of options, even for dry conditions. One of the best ones is planting Coral Bells.
These perennials display dense foliage that lasts from spring to fall and produce vividly colored flowers that will attract plenty of pollinators to your garden during the flowering season.
Don’t be fooled by the delicate looks: this plant is relatively low maintenance. Plus, it will keep producing flowers even with limited lighting.
Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff is the ideal ground cover for your Colorado garden. This perennial forms a dense and attractive mat, even when not exposed to the full sun.
Additionally, Sweet Woodruff produces gorgeous white flowers that release a deliciously sweet scent that will make spending time in your garden even more pleasant.
Lenten Rose
For people who don’t have much time to spend in their garden, Lenten Roses might be the ideal solution. Despite their name, these plants are not roses. Instead, they are a type of hellebore and part of the buttercup family.
These perennials are low maintenance and adapt to most conditions. The best part is that Lenten roses do well in full sun and shade alike. Plus, they don’t mind dry conditions.
However, protect them from harsh winds to keep them healthy. You can find them in different varieties, which gives you plenty of options in terms of colors and sizes.
Siberian Bugloss
Who doesn’t love the elegance of forget-me-nots? If you would like to have a similar effect in your garden, consider Siberian Bugloss. These plants, known as a false forget-me-not, tend to grow slowly. But, they will spread out and make for a gorgeous ground cover under ideal conditions.
Once established, this plant will require little to no attention. Siberian Bugloss thrives in shady settings, and it is drought tolerant.
However, don’t forget to water them deeply during the first weeks after planting. Additionally, consider adding a layer of mulch around your plants to improve water retention.
Anemone
If you need a stunning flowering plant to make a statement in your garden, Anemone might be an ideal choice. These plants perform well in almost any climate and don’t mind the shade.
Due to their versatility, anemones are suitable for Colorado’s climate. Due to their susceptibility to root rot, these plants do well in dry conditions.
However, consider adding a layer of mulch around them to keep them moist, especially during the growing season.
Waxflower
Waxflower is part of the Myrtle family, and it is the ideal shrub to grow in dry Colorado. These plants are native to Australia and thrive in hot and dry locations. While they might produce more flowers under the full sun, waxflowers will thrive even under the shade.
Consider amending your soil with plenty of organic matter to enhance these plants’ growth. Also, add some sand if your substrate is heavy. Doing so will boost aeration and drainage, which will contribute to the health of these plants.
Creeping Oregon Grape Holly
As an alternative to Waxflower, you can consider planting Creeping Oregon Grape Holly. This shrub too adapts well to Colorado’s climate and doesn’t mind growing under the shade.
The plant is easy to grow and will enrich your garden with colors all year round. Its blooms will attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your yard, making Creeping Oregon Grape Holly the ideal companion plant.
Shade plants Colorado: Final Thoughts
As you can see there are many plants that will thrive in shaded areas. With the right care and attention you can create a beautiful flower bed even in areas that don’t receive much light.
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